Germinal Chair in Translational Plant Breeding

The Role

The Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University carries out research and innovation on grassland systems. IBERS is funded by the BBSRC and conducts plant breeding and related research in forage crops, upland grasslands, Miscanthus and oats. The institute maintains germplasm collections and uses genomics and phenomics to understand yield, quality and stability. Our facilities include field trial sites and a genebank, with collaboration across industry and academia to deliver benefits to people and the planet.

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and experienced research scientist to lead translational plant breeding research at IBERS with a focus on the Germinal forage plant breeding programmes. The ideal applicant will have an established research background in plant genomics and phenomics and their application to plant breeding. To make an informal enquiry, please contact Professor Iain Donnison at .

Appointments are normally made within 4 - 8 weeks of the closing date.

What you'll do

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

• Develop a programme of translational plant breeding research that will enhance plant breeding at IBERS with a focus on the Germinal forage plant breeding programmes.
• Ensure the application of genomics and phenomics, including drones and hyperspectral imaging, in plant breeding and provide a link between the plant breeding programmes and the relevant upstream research in plant, animal, and environment science at IBERS.
• Be conversant with cutting edge genetic technologies and liaise with Germinal plant breeders to apply these where appropriate to breeding programmes.
• Develop collaborations and grant proposals to enhance the science of genomics and phenomics and their application to plant breeding programmes by working with researchers, Germinal and other stakeholders across the supply chain (levy boards, animal feed companies, retailers etc).
• Play a lead role in the management of research projects and coordination of reporting of progress within these projects to grant funders.
• Represent Institute crop genomic, phenomic and plant breeding science externally with a range of stakeholders.
• Publish crop genomic, phenomic and plant breeding science in refereed papers and reviews, and present research at national and international scientific and industry focused conferences and events to increase the profile of forage plant breeding at IBERS.

The post will be based in the Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth, and the successful applicant will engage with other researchers in IBERS including those covering grassland science, upland agro-ecosystems, and the breeding of cereals, grain legumes and energy crops. Our state-of-the-art facilities of particular relevance to this post include:

Field Phenomics: We manage over 1,000ha of diverse farm research and teaching platforms at Gogerddan, Trawsgoed, Morfa Mawr, and Pwllpeiran. Plots are assessed with a range of equipment for measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence, spectral absorbance/reflectance, porometers/gas exchange and CO2 monitors. Drones and robotics are used for static imaging and crop evaluation. Grass harvesters have on-board NIRS and automated sampling. We have developed a soil plant air (SPA) facility to determine water use efficiency and yield accumulation.

Plant Phenomics: IBERS hosts the National Plant Phenomics Centre (NPPC), an automated system for non-invasive longitudinal phenotyping that can measure thousands of plants in parallel. The NPPC is a unique facility in the UK and internationally, enabling non-invasive sensor-based assessments of growth, water content, photosynthetic activity, temperature and root development.

Genomics, Germplasm and HPC: The IBERS Seed Biobank comprises a collection of over 35,000 accessions for forage grasses, legumes and energy grasses. The DNA sequencing laboratory supports smaller projects with rapid turnaround using Illumina sequencing. Cytology, chromosome biology, tissue culture and genome editing facilities are available.

Bioinformatics and HPC: The IBERS HPC cluster provides substantial compute resources, with an IBERS cloud for on-demand services and large storage capacity to support bioinformatics workflows (e.g., Galaxy) and other services.

Analytical chemistry and metabolomics: The Analytical Chemistry unit holds ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in forage and nutrient analyses and supports metabolomics and proteomics facilities.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• To lead on the translation of genomic and phenomic sciences to further the plant breeding programmes at IBERS and Germinal Horizon.
• To contribute to the management and future direction of IBERS, commensurate with the seniority of the role.
• To support the university strategy and underlining plans, engage in continuous personal and professional development in line with the demands of the role, including undertaking relevant training and development activities to develop yourself and support the development of others.
• Ensure and promote the personal health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students as well as working to support the University's environmental sustainability agenda and practices.
• Perform duties in a manner that promotes fairness, fosters trust, and reflects and upholds the University's values.
• Commitment to advancing equality of opportunity and support diversity and inclusion.
• To undertake such other duties which may be reasonably requested and are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.

The above does not represent an exhaustive list of duties associated with this role.

Who you are - Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required

Essential

1. PhD or equivalent in a relevant research area, and an outstanding academic or industry distinction of international standing.
2. A detailed understanding of plant breeding with leading knowledge of how to apply crop genomics to plant breeding.
3. Ability to translate science for the development of crop varieties.
4. Ability to secure significant external research funding.
5. Ability to publish in leading scientific journals.
6. Presentation and communication skills required for teaching/ training, engagement and extension activities.
7. Ability to work within and with multi-disciplinary teams.
8. PhD supervision.
9. Full valid UK driving licence, or equivalent right to drive in the UK.
10. An ability to understand the bilingual nature of the University and an awareness of the procedures in place to support working bilingually.

Desirable

1. Existing holder of Readership, Professorship or equivalent. Applications from individuals with commercial, industrial or non-standard academic backgrounds will be considered.
2. Knowledge of forage seed production.
3. Knowledge of Crop science to further climate change adaptation or mitigation strategies.
4. Knowledge of Crop science for international development.
5. Knowledge of Crop science for improving product quality.
6. Ability to engage with policymakers and research funding agencies.
7. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level C1.

More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:

How to apply

To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.

Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

Benefits

• Flexible working policy
• 36.5 - hour week for full-time roles
• Generous leave entitlements - 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
• Commitment to Professional Development
• Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
• Staff recognition and reward schemes
• Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
• Staff relocation bursary
• Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
• Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and, those that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates. We are a bilingual institution and comply with Welsh Language Standards; applications can be submitted in Welsh or English and will be treated equally.

Employment Visa: We welcome international applicants who are eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route. This role meets the criteria to be sponsored by AU for an SWR application. AU will only support the Certificate of Sponsorship for employment visas and will not support the payment of the employment visa for the candidate or dependants. Prospective candidates will require a minimum of 70 points as part of the following: the sponsor job offer (20 points), suitable level of English (10 points), and other tradeable criteria (up to 20 points) depending on the candidate. For more information, please visit: