Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), located in the lush, tea-rich region of Sylhet, Bangladesh, stands as a premier institution dedicated to advancing agricultural sciences since its establishment in 2006. Nestled in Sylhet Division on a sprawling 357-acre campus, SAU plays a pivotal role in Bangladesh's agricultural economy, which employs over 40% of the population. The university focuses on education, research, and extension services tailored to the unique challenges of Northeast Bangladesh, such as flood management, soil fertility, and crop diversification. Jobs at Sylhet Agricultural University attract professionals passionate about sustainable farming, veterinary care, and biotechnology, offering opportunities to contribute to food security in one of Asia Pacific's most densely populated agrarian nations.
As a public university under the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, SAU employs hundreds in teaching, research, and support roles. Its proximity to the Surma River and tea estates makes it ideal for field-based studies, influencing the types of positions available, from faculty in agronomy to lab technicians handling genetic engineering projects.
Founded through an act of Parliament in 2006, SAU emerged to address the growing need for specialized agricultural education in Sylhet, a region known for its fertile lands and tea production. Prior to its creation, agricultural training was limited, prompting the government to establish it as the 7th agricultural university in Bangladesh. The campus development began with initial faculties in Crop Science and Animal Science, expanding to include Biotechnology by 2013. Key milestones include the inauguration of advanced research labs in 2010 and partnerships with international bodies like the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for rice breeding programs. Today, SAU boasts over 2,500 students and produces graduates who lead in Bangladesh's agricultural extension services.
This history shapes jobs at Sylhet Agricultural University, emphasizing roles that support ongoing expansion, such as deans for new faculties and researchers for climate-resilient crop projects.
SAU comprises five faculties: Agriculture, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Agro-Industrial Forestry, and Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. Departments under Agriculture include Agronomy, Soil Science, Entomology, and Horticulture, each offering BSc, MS, and PhD programs. The Veterinary faculty focuses on poultry health and aquaculture, critical for Bangladesh's livestock sector contributing 1.74% to GDP.
These departments drive job opportunities in specialized teaching and research.
Jobs at Sylhet Agricultural University span academic, research, and administrative categories. Faculty positions like lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor dominate, requiring teaching and research in agriculture. Research assistants support projects on sustainable farming, while adjunct roles offer part-time lecturing. Administrative jobs include registrar, librarians, and HR staff. For a full breakdown of university job types, visit our dedicated page.
In Bangladesh's context, lecturer jobs often start at entry-level for MS holders, progressing to professorships with PhD and publications. Research jobs focus on local issues like boro rice yields, averaging 5-7 tons per hectare in Sylhet.
Lecturer: An entry-level academic position involving teaching undergraduate courses, lab supervision, and initial research, typically requiring a master's degree.
Professor: Senior faculty role leading departments, supervising PhDs, and securing grants, needing 10+ years experience and substantial publications.
Agronomy: Science of crop production and soil management for optimal yields.
Extension Services: University outreach to farmers, disseminating research findings.
To secure jobs at Sylhet Agricultural University, candidates need strong academic credentials. Faculty roles generally require a PhD in relevant fields like Plant Pathology or Animal Nutrition for professors, with MS for lecturers. Research focus includes flood-tolerant rice varieties, organic farming, and livestock genetics, aligning with Bangladesh's deltaic agriculture.
Preferred experience encompasses 5+ publications in Scopus-indexed journals, grant funding from BARC (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council), and teaching records. Key skills include statistical software like R for data analysis, molecular biology techniques, and field trial design. Competencies such as teamwork in multidisciplinary projects, communication for farmer workshops, and adaptability to Sylhet's monsoon climate are essential.
Check how to write a winning academic CV for tips.
The application process for jobs at Sylhet Agricultural University involves advertising via national newspapers, the university website (sau.ac.bd), and university jobs platforms. Submit online or by post: detailed CV, transcripts, three references, research/teaching statements, and publications list. Deadlines are strict, often 30 days from publication.
Selection includes written tests, seminars, and interviews by departmental committees. Tips: Tailor applications to SAU's focus on Sylhet-specific agriculture, highlight local language proficiency (Bangla), network via agricultural conferences, and prepare for viva on regional challenges like tea pest control. Use our free resume template.
Sylhet Agricultural University actively promotes diversity through quotas for women (30% in faculty hires since 2018) and ethnic minorities from Sylhet's indigenous communities. Initiatives include the Women in Agriculture program offering mentorship and scholarships, and collaborations with USAID for inclusive research teams. SAU's policy ensures equal pay and anti-discrimination training, fostering a welcoming environment for international scholars too.
Work-life balance at SAU is supported by a 40-hour week, 30 days annual leave, and sabbaticals for research. Faculty enjoy housing allowances, medical facilities, and childcare. Campus life thrives with modern hostels, a central mosque, sports complex featuring cricket fields, and cultural fests celebrating Sylhet's haor wetlands. Proximity to Jaflong and tea gardens offers weekend escapes, while events like Agri-Fair engage the community. Employees appreciate the green, low-stress setting compared to Dhaka's bustle.
Student clubs and faculty lounges promote networking, with wellness programs addressing monsoon-related health.
With Bangladesh's agriculture sector growing at 3.2% annually, SAU positions offer impact on national food security. Competitive salaries (lecturers ~BDT 35,000-50,000/month) plus benefits like pensions make it attractive. Explore more higher ed jobs, career advice at higher ed career advice, university jobs, or post a job if recruiting. For lecturer insights, read become a university lecturer or research roles at how to excel as a research assistant (adaptable principles).
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