Research Assistant in Crop Agronomy

University of Melbourne; Dookie; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Flexible work arrangements

Career development programs

Parental leave & cultural leave

Salary packaging

Health insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus invites applications for a full-time, fixed-term Research Assistant in Crop Agronomy. Based in the Crop Agronomy Group, you will support field, glasshouse and laboratory experiments, collect data, and help maintain workflows and equipment across our dryland grain programs.

You will work with experienced scientists, farmers and industry partners to improve winter crop productivity, supervise casual staff, and develop technical skills in sampling,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related discipline.
• Experience managing and measuring agricultural field experiments with limited supervision.
• Ability to prioritise competing tasks and manage casual staff to meet project goals.

Responsibilities

• Assist designing, establishing and maintaining field, glasshouse and laboratory crop experiments.
• Conduct sampling, measurements and basic analyses with accurate data management.
• Maintain workflows, consumables, equipment and machinery for safe, efficient operations.
• Monitor progress, identify issues and escalate to project leads.
• Provide instructions to casual staff and students for safe equipment use.

Skills

Experience managing field experiments

Task prioritisation

Staff supervision

Stakeholder engagement

Outdoor fieldwork

Driver’s licence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture/agricultural science or related discipline

Job description

Role type: Full-time; Fixed-Term for 3 years

Faculty: Faculty of Science

Department/ School: School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences

Salary: UOM4: $80,400 - $85,328 p.a. plus 17% superannuation

The University of Melbourne

We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity

In this role, based at the University of Melbourne's Dookie campus, you will support high-quality agronomy experiments across field, glasshouse and laboratory environments.

You will collaborate with experienced scientists, farmers and industry partners to improve winter crop productivity and profitability.

You will develop broad technical skills in experiment management, machinery operation, sampling workflows and agronomic data collection.

What you will deliver:

• Assist with designing, establishing and maintaining field, glasshouse and laboratory crop experiments under general direction.
• Conduct sampling, measurements and basic analyses, ensuring accurate data collation, management and documentation for research projects.
• Maintain workflows, consumables, equipment and agricultural machinery, promoting safe, efficient and reliable research operations.
• Monitor experiment progress, identify emerging issues, and elevate concerns promptly to project leads and senior staff.
• Provide task instructions to casual staff and students, supporting safe equipment use and achievement of project objectives.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold or are near completion of a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agricultural science or related discipline.
• Demonstrate experience managing and measuring agricultural field experiments with limited supervision, delivering high-quality technical support.
• Prioritise competing tasks effectively, managing time, resources and teams of casual staff to meet project goals.
• Engage confidently with farmers, industry bodies and research partners to foster productive, collaborative relationships.
• Maintain physical capacity for repetitive manual handling and outdoor fieldwork in varied and sometimes adverse weather.
• Possess a current Australian driver’s licence, with desirable experience using farm machinery and agricultural chemicals safely.

For further information please refer to the attached Position Description.

What we offer you!

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave, and menstruation and menopause leave
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your new team – School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences

Your new team is the Crop Agronomy Group within the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences. Together, you will tackle real-world challenges in dryland grain production systems across Australia.

You will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary community that connects biophysical, social and technical sciences to deliver impact.

Based at the Dookie Campus, you will enjoy unique field facilities, close industry partnerships and hands-on learning environments.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at [e-mail].

Application essentials

• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position, contact Dr. Corinne Celestina at [e-mail]
• For questions related to our recruitment process email Oliver Bukasa at [e-mail]
• For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on [phone] or at [e-mail] (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').

Applications close: 29 November 2026 at 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone (Australian Eastern Daylight Time).

Position Description

JR-019846 - Research Assistant in Crop Agronomy - PD.docx

JR-019846 - Research Assistant in Crop Agronomy - PD.pdf