Postdoctoral Research Associate in quantitative genetics and breeding

The Opportunity:

We are looking to fill a post for Postdoctoral Research Associate in quantitative genetics and breeding within the project OptiME. In this role, you will advance the state-of-the-art view on how to deploy genome editing in plant breeding programmes for simple and complex traits, including evaluating potentials, bottlenecks, and novel methods of prioritising targets for genome editing. You will work as part of a worldwide team of professional contacts in plant breeding and genome editing community.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working, all based in the UK

Your skills and attributes for success: 

• You are passionate about quantitative genetics or breeding
• You have experience in a high-level programming language
• You are interested in evaluating novel quantitative and genome editing methods and how they could be used in practical settings
• You are independent, organised, and thrive in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams working in globally important sector
• Please inspect the call documentation regarding the essential and desirable knowledge, skills and experience needed for the post

Click to view a copy of the full job description 

Application Information

Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

– CV

– Cover letter

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• Exciting opportunity to collaborate with professional contacts in plant breeding and genome editing community
• A competitive salary of £41,064 to £44,746 per annum.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 13 March 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interviews will be held a week or two after the closing date for applications, with planned starting date as soon as possible in 2026.