Consultant / senior consultant – plant and animal geneticist

Location: Edinburgh (with international travel as required)

Ready to apply your science in a way that creates real-world impact?

AbacusBio is a globally recognised agriscience consultancy that helps clients grow resources and food for a more sustainable world. We combine science, data, and commercial insight to solve practical problems for clients across the agricultural sector. As part of our global team, you’ll join a business that values intellectual collaboration, curiosity, and the opportunity to do meaningful work with great people.

We are looking for a Consultant or Senior Consultant in Plant and Animal Geneticsist to join our Edinburgh team. The level of appointment will reflect your experience, technical depth, and ability to lead projects and client relationships.

About the role

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong expertise in plant or animal genetics, breeding, and quantitative analysis who wants to work at the interface of science and industry. You’ll contribute to consultancy projects that deliver clear value for clients, using your technical capability to analyse complex datasets, generate insights, and turn science into practical recommendations.

At Consultant level, you’ll manage defined parts of projects, deliver high-quality technical work, and build your consulting capability through client exposure, collaboration, and professional development. At Senior Consultant level, you’ll take a broader leadership role across project delivery, provide strategic input, mentor others, and act as a trusted advisor to clients.

What you’ll do

• Deliver high-quality consultancy outcomes across plant and animal genetics/breeding projects.
• Apply scientific and statistical methods to analyse performance, pedigree, and genotype data.
• Use tools such as R and other relevant software packages to support robust analysis and interpretation.
• Translate technical findings into clear, practical recommendations for clients and colleagues.
• Contribute to project planning, coordination, reporting, and client communication.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, collaborators, and colleagues across our global team.
• Identify opportunities to improve how we work and contribute ideas that strengthen project delivery.
• At senior level, lead end-to-end project delivery, mentor junior team members, and contribute to business development and industry engagement.

What you’ll bring

• A relevant postgraduate qualification in a scientific discipline, including an MSc or PhD in plant or animal genetics, breeding, or associated discipline.
• Demonstrated experience applying scientific methods in a professional, consulting, industry, or research setting.
• Strong capability in handling and interpreting complex biological datasets, including performance, pedigree, and genotype information.
• Proficiency in R and familiarity with relevant genetic or genomic evaluation tools.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas clearly.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across teams, disciplines, and time zones.
• For more senior candidates, demonstrated experience leading projects, mentoring others, managing client relationships, and contributing to business development.

Why join AbacusBio?

At AbacusBio, we are committed to our values of delivering excellence every day, working strongly as a global team, and being true to self while kind to others. You’ll be part of a high-performing and supportive environment where science is applied with purpose, and where your ideas, expertise, and growth genuinely matter.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to combine technical excellence with consulting impact, we’d love to hear from you.