Please note, this post is fixed-term funtil 28 February 2027 and full-time at 1 FTE.
We are seeking a motivated Research Assistant to join the AutoTraits project—an advanced, software-driven platform transforming how strawberry traits are measured and used in breeding programmes.
AutoTraits addresses one of the major bottlenecks in crop development: the time and effort required for manual phenotyping. Using images, videos and point clouds, the platform delivers automated, quantitative measurement of plant traits, enabling faster, more consistent assessment at scale and providing breeders with deeper insight into plant performance and complex trait interactions.
You will contribute to the continued development of the AutoTraits platform by designing, implementing, and maintaining modern web applications that support the acquisition, management, and analysis of phenotyping data. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of research software engineering, cloud technologies, and agri-tech innovation, developing tools that have direct impact on academic research and commercial plant breeding.
Candidates should possess (or be close to completion of) a honours degree or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related discipline. Applicants should demonstrate:
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Good programming skills in Python and experience developing modern web applications using React.js.
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Experience working with SQL databases and an understanding of modern web application architecture.
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Strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and software development best practices.
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Experience using Git and writing clean, maintainable, and well-documented code.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Opportunities to get involved in writing academic papers will also be available to outstanding candidates.
This is a full-time post, with excellent opportunities for ongoing career development and progression. Informal enquiries about the post can be made to Prof. Grzegorz Cielniak (email: [email protected]).
