Research Project Officer Farming Systems

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land sea and waters of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View ourvision towards reconciliation.

Role highlights

• Contribute to highprofile projects that directly improve productivity soil performance and profitability for growers
• Put your agronomy skills into action combining onfarm field trials laboratory analysis and data interpretation in a handson role with real-world impact
• Join a collaborative multidisciplinary team working closely with farmers scientists and industry partners

About CSIRO

As Australias national science agency CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone just like you joined us and took on the challenge.

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The opportunity

As part of the Resilient Systems Team in Adelaide the Research Projects officer will work with experienced research technicians and scientists on a range of laboratory and field-based research projects aimed at improving the performance of Southern farming systems including the GRDC funded projects covering Sandy Soils Hyperyielding and Profitable Cereals Soil Carbon and Canola Physiology. We are seeking a person who is passionate about agriculture with Certificate or Bachelor level agronomic training and/or hands on experience in agricultural production and research.

The position will be part of a multi-disciplinary research team operating in collaboration with farmers farming systems groups research partners and agribusiness. The role will involve identifying experimental sites preparation establishment and maintenance of on-farm field experiments field sampling and monitoring lab-based sample preparation soil and plant analysis data management and the use and maintenance of field monitoring and agricultural machinery.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Under general supervision assist in the site preparation establishment and maintenance of on-farm field experiments with plants and animals as test subjects through delivery of field sampling and monitoring. This work involves use and maintenance of specialised field equipment and agricultural machinery.
• Under limited supervision design and perform straightforward experiments and routine laboratory analyses design new processes or apparatus by adapting existing techniques and components to meet special circumstances or undertake modifications to methods requiring some innovation.
• Design data recording and entry systems.
• Conduct literature reviews investigations and inspections in the field or laboratory including associated analysis possibly involving statistical or graphics software.
• Perform some non-routine analyses or technology development using a range of techniques often working on several parallel and competing tasks.
• Work with discretion to decide on the timing of operations within the work teams plan and plan to meet experimental and/or project demands.
• Respond courteously and efficiently to client requests maintaining clear communication regarding mutual expectations and monitoring client satisfaction.

Role particulars

Location: Adelaide SA

Salary: AU$76k - AU$96k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Specified term until 30 June 2028 Full-time

Reference: 102128

As the successful candidate you will bring:

Essential criteria

1. Tertiary qualifications in Agricultural Science Agriculture Science or Natural Resource Management or equivalent agricultural production or research experience.
2. Demonstrated experience in research development and extension relevant to improving agricultural systems in Australia.
3. Demonstrated experience in experimental processes relevant to agricultural field and lab-based research (eg. quality sampling measurement and data recording and analysis using Microsoft packages).
4. Capable of working and communicating effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team and carrying out tasks under the direction of scientific researchers.
5. Willingness to undertake field work in on-farm locations involving travel to rural regions with flexible hours at short notice during times of seasonal demand including occasional overnight travel.
6. A current drivers licence and competency in driving agricultural machinery.

For full details about this role and other criteria please review the Position Description.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria there are many ways to demonstrate this. Dont let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact Laura Mason via and let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO offering a range of options for how when and where you can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australias greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages abilities cultures faiths levels of education genders sexualities diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First Further Together Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA inclusion and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to apply

Please apply online and submit a CV and cover letter (maximum 2 pages) that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the selection criteria of this role.

Applications close

8 February 2026 11:00pm AEDT