Senior Research Assistant

• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI)

• Full-time, fixed-term position for up to 2 years  

• Base salary will be in the range $76,025 - $80, % Superannuation (HEW Level 4) 

• Based at our St Lucia Campus

Join QAAFI as a Senior Research Assistant providing technical research support and subject matter expertise in support of an academic collaboration with industry to improve tropical grass breeding.

This role will join the UQ's Centre for Crop Science as part of the CRC-Zero Net Emissions Agriculture initiative, focusing on developing tropical grasses with low methanogenic properties to help combat agricultures impact on our environment. This position contributes to a project entitled "Low Emission Tropical Grass Solutions for Cattle Feed", which aims to develop low-methane-emitting forage crop species in collaboration with Barenbrug Pty Ltd.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary research team focused on advancing sustainable livestock feed through applied plant biotechnology, tissue culture, and physiology. The role offers a mix of laboratory, glasshouse, and data-driven work in a dynamic research environment. This is a full-time, fixed-term 2-year position.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Coordinate maintaining glasshouse plants for testing in controlled facilities, including physiology experiments, bulking, and crossing

• Apply their molecular biology skillsets to prepare samples for DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and expression analyses using RNA extractions, qPCR and RNA-Seq and downstream analyses

• Assist with technical research or processes, including plant tissue culture, plant biotechnology, and/or plant biochemistry

• Safely operate equipment/technology, including laminar flows, biosafety cabinets for tissue culture microorganisms and plantlets.

• Ensure safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals and samples, and contribute to the safe operation of research infrastructure, and data management

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.  

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community. 

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as: 

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave 

• 17% superannuation contributions 

• 17.5% annual leave loading 

• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight 

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family 

• UQ Study for Staff 

• On campus childcare options 

• Affordable parking (from just $6.15 a day) 

• Salary packaging options 

In this position, you will provide a range of technical and specialist skills and services, which support and enable research activities. This role involves plant physiology, biochemistry and biotechnology and is ideally suited to someone with a degree in plant science and who is open to learning.

• Completion of a degree level qualification in Molecular biology, Crop science or related fields; or completion of a Diploma with relevant work experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training

• Experience using laboratory record-keeping and data storage

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams of colleagues

• Ability to work independently on routine procedures

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Well-organised, methodical and self-motivated

• Previous experience in a similar role would be considered favourably. 

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check etc.  

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.  

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Karen Massel and put R-57402 in the subject.

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at , stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.  
 

Want to Apply?  

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered: 

• A 1-page cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the 'About You' section   

• Resume 

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don't meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.  

We know one of our strengths as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to for accessibility support or adjustments. 

Applications close: Sunday 9 November 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R