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

We are seeking a Principal Research Agronomist to provide strategic leadership to the Central and Northern Farming Systems Innovation teams and implement a portfolio of innovative research, development, and extension (RD&E) projects that enhance productive, profitable, and sustainable grain farming systems.

The position is required to identify, develop and lead rigorous RD&E strategic initiatives, integrating plant physiology into new and emerging farming systems, delivering insights to growers and industry, and contributing to national research collaborations.

The position will be integral in the continued development of the Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre, mentoring teams, and providing authoritative technical advice to research and industry stakeholders across the state. Additionally, the position will manage strategic planning, resource allocation, and funding negotiations while ensuring timely and budget-compliant project delivery, aligning with departmental and government priorities.

Emerald is home to the developing DPI initiative, 'Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre', a flagship innovation facility, with a focus on the unique climate of the region. The centre brings together research, development, and extension (RD&E) in areas like farming systems, agronomy, crop innovation and plant protection. Enhanced by the latest innovations in AgTech and data sciences, the centre deliver world-class research for Queensland's cropping sector.

Further information can be found at:

Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre | AgTech (daf.qld.gov.au).

Employment type: Permanent.

Primary location: Emerald.

Job ad reference number: QLD/612702/25.

Classification level: PO5.

Remuneration package:

Total package: $147,278 to $157,756.

Consisting of:

• Salary: $129,089 to $138,273.
• Superannuation: $16,458 to $17,629.
• Leave loading: $1,731 to $1,855.

Mandatory qualifications:

Possession of a Degree in agricultural science, applied science, rural science, or equivalent.

A PhD in plant physiology or a similar discipline, and at least seven years of progressive research experience spanning academia and industry, is highly desirable.

About the role:

As our Principal Research Agronomist, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership to the Central and Northern Farming Systems Innovation teams to foster a high performing team and build / implement a portfolio of Research, Development, and Extension (RD&E) projects that supports continued innovation for productive, profitable and sustainable farming systems in line with Department and government priorities.
• Develop, lead and conduct a portfolio of RD&E projects that are relevant and rigorous and deliver new insights to growers, agronomists and industry which they need to assess, refine and apply new practices in grain farming systems across Queensland.
• Undertake physiological and farming system research, development, and extension activities that inform the Central and Northern Queensland farming systems on how to respond to an increasing variable climate and address major constraints within their system.
• Build and maintain effective and mutually beneficial internal and external relationships and collaborative partnerships with national and state government bodies, industry organisations and stakeholders associated with Farming Systems Innovation in Queensland and more broadly across Australia.
• Initiate and contribute to project development, planning and management including milestone reporting, preparing and managing multi-million-dollar budgets, adapting and responding to change as required and update operational plans accordingly. Evaluate outcomes and prepare project reports for departmental and funding bodies purposes.
• Communicate effectively through a range of methods and negotiate effectively with staff, managers, clients, stakeholders and funders to achieve project outcomes.
• Allocate resources efficiently, ensure timely delivery against competing demands, and handle human resource and operational issues within a dispersed multidisciplinary team.

Technical requirements of the role:

• Specialist skills in plant physiology, farming systems, and the integration of Ag-Tech into research.
• Extensive knowledge of, and experience in, field experimentation.
• Proficiency in agricultural technologies such as robotics, drones, and satellite data integration, along with a track record of scientific peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to translate research into practical insights for growers and policymakers.
• Analytical skills, including experience in attracting external funding and managing complex budgets to deliver on financial targets and to control expenditure against budget allocations; and ability to report and analyse progress against key project performance measures.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, conduct, manage, report, and publish the scientific outcomes of rigorous field-based research using experimental and on-farm research methods.
• Project management skills with demonstrated ability to develop, manage, evaluate, and report on the impacts of a strategic research portfolio in a complex organisational environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and participate effectively in multi-disciplinary RDE teams that support widespread integration of research outcomes into regional farming systems, work independently when required, and supervise other project staff.

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 daf.qld.gov.au and our social media accounts to learn more about what we do.