Sorghum Systems Research Fellow - Lead Data, Decision Tools

The University of Queensland; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Queensland in Saint Lucia QLD invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Agricultural Systems Assessment to lead the Knowledge Integration, Grower Insight and Decision Frameworks work package within SorGain. You will integrate crop agronomy data with stakeholder insights to deliver practical decision-support resources for growers and industry.

You will conduct regional syntheses and meta-analyses, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to

Qualifications

• A PhD, or a doctoral thesis submitted, in agronomy, crop science, farming systems, agricultural systems science, agricultural extension or innovation, decision science, or another closely related discipline with a substantial applied crop-agronomy component.
• Demonstrated expertise in crop agronomy and broadacre farming systems, including the ability to interpret interactions among crop genotype, environment, management, operational constraints and seasonal risk.
• Experience in adaptive, participatory or on-farm research, with the ability to translate agronomic evidence and stakeholder knowledge into well-defined research questions, practical study designs and iterative learning activities.
• Experience designing and analysing qualitative or mixed-method research involving growers, advisers or other agricultural stakeholders, including interviews, focus groups, workshops or surveys.
• Strong quantitative and computational skills, including demonstrated ability to analyse complex agronomic, environmental, survey or behavioural data using R, Python or equivalent software.
• Experience in evidence synthesis, meta-analysis or the integration of heterogeneous research and field datasets, with careful attention to study design, data quality, uncertainty and reproducibility.
• Demonstrated ability to engage respectfully and productively with growers, advisers, industry, government and research partners, together with the capacity to undertake regular travel to sorghum-growing regions of Queensland and New South Wales.
• An emerging or established record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications, with the ability to prepare clear technical reports, presentations and stakeholder-focused materials.

Responsibilities

• Research: Conduct regional evidence syntheses and meta-analyses of sorghum agronomy, integrate agronomic, survey and decision data using qualitative, mixed-method, statistical and machine-learning approaches, and translate findings into transparent and practical decision-support resources.
• Research: Lead stakeholder decision dynamics research with growers, advisers and industry representatives, including research design, sampling, ethics, quality assurance, interviews, focus groups and participatory workshops.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Contribute to the supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, research assistants and project staff through methodological advice, mentoring, constructive feedback and shared planning.
• Citizenship and Service: Coordinate project activities, milestones, risks and reporting, contribute to publications and funding proposals, represent SorGain and QAAFI at scientific and industry forums, and actively support the priorities of the Centre for Crop Science.

Skills

Crop science knowledge

Statistical analysis

R/Python proficiency

Stakeholder engagement

Education

PhD in agronomy or related field

Tools

R

Python

SQL

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Fellow / Rsch Fellow in Agricultural Systems Assessment

The University of Queensland – Saint Lucia QLD

• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 2 years.
• Base salary will be in the range $85,373 to $113,660 plus 17% super at Academic Level A, or $119,463 to $141,545 plus 17% super at Academic Level B.
• Based at our St Lucia location.

• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 2 years.
• Base salary will be in the range $85,373 to $113,660 plus 17% super at Academic Level A, or $119,463 to $141,545 plus 17% super at Academic Level B.
• Based at our St Lucia location.

About This Opportunity.

Join a purposeful and collaborative research environment within QAAFI's Centre for Crop Science and contribute to SorGain, a research, development and extension program co-funded by GRDC and UQ to improve Australian sorghum production. You will lead the day-to-day delivery and integration of the "Knowledge Integration, Grower Insight and Decision Frameworks" work package, drawing together crop agronomy, adaptive research, stakeholder decision research and advanced analytics to create practical, regionally relevant outcomes for growers and industry.

Key responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

• Research: Conduct regional evidence syntheses and meta-analyses of sorghum agronomy, integrate agronomic, survey and decision data using qualitative, mixed-method, statistical and machine-learning approaches, and translate findings into transparent and practical decision-support resources.
• Research: Lead stakeholder decision dynamics research with growers, advisers and industry representatives, including research design, sampling, ethics, quality assurance, interviews, focus groups and participatory workshops.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Contribute to the supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, research assistants and project staff through methodological advice, mentoring, constructive feedback and shared planning.
• Citizenship and Service: Coordinate project activities, milestones, risks and reporting, contribute to publications and funding proposals, represent SorGain and QAAFI at scientific and industry forums, and actively support the priorities of the Centre for Crop Science.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ's Criteria for Academic Performance.

For further information, please click here to view the information booklet.

About You.

• A PhD, or a doctoral thesis submitted, in agronomy, crop science, farming systems, agricultural systems science, agricultural extension or innovation, decision science, or another closely related discipline with a substantial applied crop-agronomy component.
• Demonstrated expertise in crop agronomy and broadacre farming systems, including the ability to interpret interactions among crop genotype, environment, management, operational constraints and seasonal risk.
• Experience in adaptive, participatory or on-farm research, with the ability to translate agronomic evidence and stakeholder knowledge into well-defined research questions, practical study designs and iterative learning activities.
• Experience designing and analysing qualitative or mixed-method research involving growers, advisers or other agricultural stakeholders, including interviews, focus groups, workshops or surveys.
• Strong quantitative and computational skills, including demonstrated ability to analyse complex agronomic, environmental, survey or behavioural data using R, Python or equivalent software.
• Experience in evidence synthesis, meta-analysis or the integration of heterogeneous research and field datasets, with careful attention to study design, data quality, uncertainty and reproducibility.
• Demonstrated ability to engage respectfully and productively with growers, advisers, industry, government and research partners, together with the capacity to undertake regular travel to sorghum-growing regions of Queensland and New South Wales.
• An emerging or established record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications, with the ability to prepare clear technical reports, presentations and stakeholder-focused materials.

For appointment at Academic Level B, you will also demonstrate:

• At least 3 years of independent and collaborative research beyond the doctoral project, supported by peer-reviewed publications or other substantial scholarly outputs.
• Experience leading significant research components, coordinating multidisciplinary contributors and external stakeholders, and taking responsibility for the quality and timely delivery of outputs.
• Evidence of contributions to postgraduate supervision or research training, funding proposals, partnership development or other forms of external research support.

Knowledge of sorghum or other summer cereal production in dryland broadacre systems would be advantageous, as would experience in field trials, on-farm experimentation, farmer-participatory research, survey methodologies, research ethics, monitoring and evaluation, relational databases, SQL or AI-supported decision-support systems.

About UQ.

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged. As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

At QAAFI, we work in partnership to translate visionary crop research into outcomes that respond to grower needs and strengthen Australian agriculture. One such partnership is the Sorghum Strategic Alliance, a seven-year collaboration between UQ and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) that brings together expertise in genetics, breeding and agronomy to improve sorghum productivity, resilience and grain quality.

Read more about the Sorghum Strategic Alliance

The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad, from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Sudhir Yadav ************@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at ******@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number below in the subject line.

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume, cover letter, and responses to the 'About You' section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

Other Information.

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer-sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We're also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing ******@uq.edu.au or calling [phone].

Applications close Sunday 25 October 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-68711).

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