Remote Sensing Scientist (Plant Phenotyping) - Gordonvale

Sugar Research Australia Ltd.; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Sugar Research Australia Ltd. seeks a Remote Sensing Scientist (Plant Phenotyping) to develop and apply remote sensing methods for high-throughput crop trait analysis in sugarcane. You will integrate drone and satellite data, multispectral/hyperspectral sensing, and advanced image analysis to drive phenotyping projects.

You will publish findings in journals, contribute to project funding, and collaborate across disciplines while ensuring IP confidentiality and field-ready techniques.

Qualifications

• Masters/PhD in a relevant discipline such as agricultural remote sensing or plant phenomics.
• Experience collecting remote sensing data using multispectral and hyperspectral platforms.
• Strong programming skills in Python or R with image analysis, ML and statistics experience.
• Strong track record of scientific publications in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Experience in field and glasshouse experiments for phenotyping data collection.
• Ability to undertake field activities in hot and humid conditions.
• Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and sugarcane research experience are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply remote sensing techniques for high throughput plant phenotyping.
• Plan and execute remote sensing data collection using drone and satellite platforms and sensor systems.
• Develop and implement image processing pipelines to extract plant traits from remotely sensed data.
• Design and conduct field and glasshouse experiments for evaluation and validation.
• Apply statistical methods and ML/ DL to derive robust scientific outcomes.
• Publish findings in scientific journals and industry media relevant to the sugar industry.
• Support research proposals and funding applications with guidance from leads.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of intellectual property and sensitive information.

Skills

Python

R

Image analysis

Machine learning

Remote sensing

Education

Masters/PhD in agricultural remote sensing or plant phenomics

Tools

QGIS

Pix4D

ENVI

Job description

Remote Sensing Scientist (Plant Phenotyping) - Gordonvale

About Sugar Research Australia (SRA)
Sugar Research Australiainvests in and manages a portfolio of research, development and adoption projects that drive productivity, profitability and sustainability for the Australian sugarcane industry.
We have highly dedicated and passionate people working on industry-critical projects to deliver tangible value outcomes and impact for our industry stakeholders.

About the role

The Remote Sensing Scientist is responsible for developing and applying remote sensing techniques to measure and analyse sugarcane crop traits. This role will contribute to projects in plant phenotyping and provide opportunities to work across multiple scientific disciplines, such as remote sensing, data science, and plant physiology.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage in innovative and impactful research on the application of remote sensing technologies for high throughput plant phenotyping.
• Plan and execute remote sensing data collection using drone and satellite platforms, and sensor systems including multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal and LiDAR.
• Develop and implement image processing pipelines to extract plant phenotypic data from remotely sensed data.
• Design and conduct field and glasshouse experiments for the evaluation and validation of phenotyping technologies.
• Apply statistical methods and high-dimensional data analysis (machine learning, deep learning) to derive strong scientific outcomes and conclusions.
• Publish research findings in relevant scientific and industry journals, and in other media appropriate to the sugar industry.
• Support the development of research project proposals and funding applications with guidance from Breeding Technology Lead.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of intellectual property and all commercially sensitive information.

About you

You will bring with you the following qualifications, capabilities and experience:

• A Masters/PhD degree and/or equivalent research experience in a relevant discipline area, such as agricultural remote sensing, precision agriculture, plant phenomics, or plant physiology.
• Experience collecting agricultural remote sensing data using a range of platforms including multispectral, and hyperspectral sensor systems.
• Experience with processing different types of remote sensing data (multispectral, hyperspectral) and proficiency in GIS and photogrammetry software (e.g., QGIS, Pix4d, ENVI).
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python or R and relevant experience in image analysis, machine learning, and statistical methods.
• Strong track record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience in conducting field and glasshouse experiments for collection of plant phenotypic data.
• Ability and willingness to carry out field activities in hot and humid conditions.
• Remote Pilot Licence (RePL).
• Relevant research experience in sugarcane.

To apply

Please note this is a two-year fixed term role and some intra- and inter-state travel may be required.

For further information, please refer to the Position Description: https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Remote-Sensing-Scientist-Position-Description.pdf

If your capabilities and experience meet the requirements of the role and you would like to be part of our dedicated team, please submit your application no later than Friday 6 November 2026.

Applicants must have the right to work in Australia in order to apply. The successful applicant will also be required to undertake a medical screening (includes a functional capacity assessment, audiometry, and drug and alcohol screening), and a police check.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.