Bring legacy to life. For the future of Queensland and the world.

As a Senior Research Scientist, you will utilise your skills to bring about positive changes for the production of cotton as part of Queensland’s broadacre cropping system from both productivity and sustainability perspectives. You can also expect to increase your knowledge and skills in the areas of crop agronomy, farming systems design and extension practices whilst expanding your networks within the agricultural research community.

This role may at times require out of hours work, travel, weekend work and remote work.You will be accountable for an operational budget and direct supervision of a position who will assist you in conducting project work.

You will have the ability to work independently and as part of a team, a keen eye for detail, great time management and effective problem-solving skills, with a positive attitude, to contribute to our close-knit and connected team.

Employment type: Temporary full time until 30 June 2029
Job Ad reference number: QLD/641605/25
Classification: PO4

Remuneration package:
Total package:  $131,146 to $141,028

Consisting of:

• Salary: $114,949 to $123,611
• Superannuation: $14,655 to $15,760
• Leave loading: $1,542 to $1,658
• Locality Allowance (please refer to the Role Description for further information).

Mandatory Qualifications:

• A Bachelor degree or higher (from a recognised tertiary institution) in agricultural science, applied science, rural science or equivalent academic qualification with knowledge and/or skills in field based agronomic research.
• A current “C” class drivers’ licence.

About the Role:

As our Senior Research Scientist, you will:

• Provide leadership for the southern Queensland broadacre cropping component of a large project that will be assessing a range of new agronomic practices (long season and ratoon cotton & canopy management technologies), that seeks to improve cotton productivity and efficiency.
• Collaborate with growers to test and showcase both established and emerging production methods that may reduce the greenhouse gas emission intensity of cotton production. This will involve building relationships with growers to conduct on-farm demonstrations of new agronomic practices and low-emission farming systems.
• Assess whether practices that improve productivity and reduce emissions intensity have spin-off benefits for the management of soil borne cotton diseases such as verticillium wilt.
• Work as part of a broader team that includes staff in central Queensland and cross agency collaborators (NSW DPI) who will be undertaking similar activities as well as researchers who are working on improved cotton disease management practices.
• Co-ordinate the promotion of research outcomes in conjunction with CottonInfo, the extension arm of the cotton industry, using fit for purpose adult learning processes to ensure key information is available for use by growers, agronomists and interested stakeholders.
• Undertake supervision of other scientific and/or technical staff team members as required

Technical Requirements of the role:

• Knowledge of broadacre cropping systems and associated crop agronomy with cotton experience being advantageous.
• The successful candidate must have a demonstrated track record of being able to successfully communicate and work with growers and their advisors. This includes an ability to ask insightful questions and listen to responses in order to identify agronomic needs and/or potential barriers for practice change (e.g. lower emissions farming system technologies).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct, manage and report the outcomes of field-based research conducted using on-farm research methods.
• Demonstrated networking and coordination skills using adult learning processes and community engagement principles.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team including the supervision of subordinate positions.

Citizenship or visa requirements:
To be eligible for this opportunity, you must be an Australian citizen, hold permanent residency status, or possess a visa allowing you to work in Australia.

Applications will remain current for 12 months.

Visit https://www.dpi.qld.gov.au and our social media accounts to learn more about what we do.

To apply for this role:
Follow the instructions provided in the role desciption and candidate information pack, available through the SmartJobs and Careers website by clicking on APPLY TO THIS POSITION.

Closing date: Monday 23 June 2025
Contact person: Dr Paul Grundy - Phone 0427 929 172