Breeding Data Scientist

Posted: 09 July, 2025

Closes: 08 August, 2025

Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) is Australia's largest plant breeding company, and the market leader in bread wheat, lupin and durum genetics.
At AGT, we consider ourselves privileged to be able to serve Australian farmers and the world’s population by developing new field crop varieties that are more productive, better quality and cost less to grow. This is what drives our people. We want to see Australian farmers more prosperous, and the global population to be well nourished.
We have had some success over the years and are now the leading provider of bread wheat, lupin and durum varieties in Australia. We are also working hard at achieving the same for our other crops, barley and canola.
As a plant breeding research company, we get excited by new technology, innovation and scientific breakthroughs. Our talented and dedicated team use new mechanical solutions, robotics, computer science, GPS, tissue culture, and the latest biological and genetic theory on a daily basis. We are excited to see scientific concepts transformed into real solutions that deliver value to Australian grain growers.

The Breeding Data Scientist - role is a critical position within the bioinformatics and breeding team at Australian Grain Technologies (AGT). This is a science driven role, with a focus on statistical analysis, genomics and molecular marker data. You will work as part of the bioinformatics team to process, interrogate and analyse genomic and phenotypic data to support plant breeders across multiple breeding programs. Alongside routine data processing and analysis, this role will apply critical thinking to current and future workflows to aid in their improvement and development. You will work closely with bioinformatics and breeding teams, and will also engage with wider teams such as glasshouse, field, quality laboratory, administration and service providers.

Key Responsibilities

• Run genomic prediction calibration models
• Calculate genomic predictions for use in breeding
• Perform QTL mapping and marker validation work
• Perform multi environment statistical analyses on plant breeding data
• Process and manage large amounts molecular marker data
• Develop new and improved data analysis tools and workflows
• Engage with colleagues to develop novel solutions to complex problems
• Collate and manage large datasets
• Develop and maintain data management and processing pipelines
• Summarise and present data sets to aid in data-driven decision making
• Engage in collaborative research projects with the scientific community
• Occasional intra and interstate travel will be required as part of this role.

Desirable Qualifications and Characteristics

• A PhD in either plant breeding and genetics, quantitative genetics, statistics or other relevant fields
• Highly proficient in the R statistical computing environment, and/or other data science languages such as Python
• Experience using ASReml or similar packages for statistical analysis
• Proficiency in other software languages is beneficial but not essential
• Effective data storage, handing and quality assurance principles
• A working understanding of statistics and analytical techniques (experience in linear-mixed modelling and/or machine learning is beneficial but not essential)
• Knowledge and understanding of plant breeding or genetics is beneficial but not a requirement
• Action oriented and highly motivated to deliver outputs that benefit others
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Excellent communication skills, adept at developing strong interpersonal relationships, self-motivation, and an excellent time manager.
• Recognition of the importance of promoting a culture of work health and safety are essential

This position is based in Roseworthy, South Australia.

Applications can also be submitted via Seek - https://www.seek.com.au/job/85...