Research Technician - Farming Systems

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation; Canberra, Boorowa; On-site; AUD 76,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

CSIRO is seeking a Research Technician in Farming Systems to support long-term field-based experiments at Boorowa or Black Mountain. You will establish trials, manage data, and apply digital approaches to improve productivity and sustainability in Australian agriculture.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team, coordinating with researchers and field staff to deliver outcomes across crops, soils, and livestock plots while following established protocols and safety guidelines.

Qualifications

• Relevant trade certificate/diploma/bachelor’s degree or equivalent in agricultural science or related field.
• Experience with agronomy and crops typical to southern Australian temperate mixed farming systems.
• Ability to manage data and records of varying types in field-based research.
• Ability to follow protocols to collect soil and plant samples for analysis.
• Project management experience planning and prioritising tasks to meet project goals.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing complex farming systems and agronomic experiments.
• Manage crops and field trials, including sampling and site management.
• Oversee livestock grazing experimental plots and data collection.
• Plan ahead to meet experiment and project demands under limited supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality with commercially sensitive information and supervise junior staff.
• Assist with equipment maintenance, servicing schedules and safe use of shared gear.
• Perform straightforward experiments and routine analyses in the lab.
• Provide guidance on techniques and protocols to less experienced staff.

Skills

Agronomy

Data management

Soil & plant sampling

Project management

Equipment operation

Communication

Driver's licence

Agricultural technology interest

MR license (heavy vehicle)

Education

Diploma/Bachelor in Agricultural Science

Job description

Location: Boorowa, NSW, AU Canberra, ACT, AU

Company: CSIRO

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 our vision towards reconciliation .

Role highlights

• Support hands-on farming systems and agronomy research across field trials.
• Manage crops, livestock plots, sampling and field equipment.
• Help deliver practical research outcomes with a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

About CSIRO

As Australia's 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.

CSIRO Agriculture and Food’s Advancing Farm Productivity research program is a world-leading group exploring ways to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture in Australia and globally. The Innovative Agronomy team in Canberra is seeking a Research Technician in Farming Systems to support its field-based research activities.

Based at either CSIRO’s Boorowa Agricultural Research Station or Black Mountain Science and Innovation Park, you will primarily support the establishment and ongoing management of long-term farming systems projects in Boorowa and the surrounding region. You will deliver complex agricultural experiments, manage research data, apply new and innovative digital approaches, and contribute your understanding of farming systems.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Assist the team to implement complex farming systems and agronomic experiments.
• Assist with agricultural management of crops (e.g. spraying, sowing, slashing, harvesting, monitoring) and experimental site management and follow agreed protocols to collect soil & plant samples and prepare these for analysis.
• Assist with the management of livestock grazing experimental plots of dual-purpose crops and pastures.
• Undertake and complete tasks often with competing timeframes, working with discretion to decide on the timing of operations within the work team's plan and plan ahead to meet experiment and/or project demands.
• Maintain confidentiality when dealing with commercially sensitive information.
• Maintain laboratory consumables and field equipment, coordinate servicing schedules, and instruct staff on the safe use of shared equipment.
• Under limited supervision, design and perform straightforward experiments and routine laboratory analyses.
• Oversee the activities of less experienced staff and provide guidance on experimental/ technological techniques and protocols as required.

Salary: AU$76k - AU$96k per annum + 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Specified term of 3 years, Full-time

Reference: 104148

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• A relevant trade certificate/diploma/bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant work experience in agricultural science or similar.
• Experience with agronomy and management of a variety of crops, particularly those grown in southern Australian temperate mixed farming systems (cereals, oilseeds, pulses).
• Demonstrated experience with implementation of experimental procedures including accurately managing data and records of varying types.
• The ability to follow experimental and technical protocols to collect soil & plant samples and prepare them for analysis.
• Demonstrated ability in aspects of project management such as scheduling, monitoring and completing tasks on time coupled with the ability to prioritise tasks/projects to achieve project goals.
• Experience with operation and maintenance of equipment for fieldwork.
• Good oral and written communication skills coupled with excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Be highly motivated and disciplined to carry out autonomous activities and be able to problem solve.
• A current class C driver’s licence.
• Interest or experience with application of information & new technologies in agriculture (e.g. sensors, computer applications, drones).
• Experience with operation and maintenance of machinery for fieldwork requirements (pumps, PTO equipment, RTV, tractors, boom sprayers).
• Experience with towing large machinery and/or a heavy vehicle driver’s license (MR).

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t 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 [e-mail] and let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

Solving Australia's 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.

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents, and Australian Temporary Residents with a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term. 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 .