"Research Assistant"

Research Assistant

• Faculty of Science & Engineering
• Perth, Western Australia
• Contract Full Time

Date posted: 5/3/2026

• Fixed term, full-time until 30 June 2028. Immediate start, possible extension.
• Professional Development Opportunities - Travel for National Meetings
• Well Connected Campus - Accessible Bus Station + Affordable Parking

If supporting researchers working to secure the future of food production and making a meaningful difference for agriculture excites you, this could be the role for you!

About your new Team – Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM):

CCDM at Curtin University works closely with the grains industry to reduce the $1 billion per year burden of crop disease for Australian farmers. For almost 10 years our research discoveries have improved the genetic resistance of wheat, barley, canola and pulses providing enduring solutions for growers dealing with disease epidemics.

The centre also brings together expertise in mathematics, biometry, bioinformatics and data science, together with agribusiness, actuarial science, geographical information systems, farming systems and plant pathology. We have strong industry and academic partnerships and focus on research to overcome key challenges in the broadacre crop production industry. There is strong interdisciplinary collaboration within the centre and active collaboration with leading national and international scientists.

What We Offer You:

This fixed term G05 level role attracts a remuneration of $83,283 – $91,103, plus 17% superannuation. Additionally:

• In this role, you can expect many opportunities for professional development, with one of CCDM’s three objectives revolving around improving human capacity to meet the requirements of the agriculture industry.
• Opportunities to attend national meetings
• Generous entitlements, including additional leave and 17% superannuation.
• Competitive benefits including salary packaging, access to health and wellbeing services and an array of discounts for retail, travel and much more.  
• Work from our vibrant Bentley campus, which features a bus station, accessible parking, childcare, medical centre and gym.
• Enjoy exploring our art gallery, walking to the campus supermarket or choosing from a variety of eateries and food options on your lunch break!

For more reasons to work at Curtin, please visit https://staff.curtin.edu.au/discover-curtin/  

About the Role:

We are seeking a Research Assistant in Digital Agriculture to support a dynamic team of researchers on a project led by the Society for Precision Agriculture Australia (SPAA). This national project, funded through the Grains Research and Development Corporation, brings together industry leaders in precision agriculture, with agronomists and farm businesses on their VRT adoption journey.

In this role, you will work independently and under the leadership of senior researchers in the Curtin for Agribusiness Profitability Group and undertake a variety of research support tasks for a multi-disciplinary team of plant physiologists, agronomists, economists and industry professionals. This role is designed to be a developmental role for graduates with an interest in digital agriculture.

Your primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Providing a mix of administrative, experimental and technical duties.
• Supporting the research team by meeting with agronomists and farmers, cleaning and processing data (sourced from farms and public databases).
• Generating maps and reports
• Contributing to project meetings activities
• Supporting the project leader with general administrative tasks.

Who we are looking for – Selection Criteria:

Essential:

1. Experience in basic GIS skills using QGIS or ARCGIS
2. Demonstrated experience working in scientific report writing
3. Experience working in data analysis using R or Python
4. Demonstrated organisational and administrative skills with the ability to prioritise tasks
5. Demonstrated effectiveness in both written and oral communication skills demonstrating appropriate confidentiality and cross-cultural sensitivity.
6. Demonstrated ability to work effectively autonomously, and as part of a team.

Desirable:

1. Experience using digital agriculture software including John Deere Operations Centre, CaseIH FieldOps, PCT AgCloud or Ag leader SMS.

Role Requirements:

• As this is a fixed-term contract, you will require current work rights in Australia that match the tenure of this role to be considered.
• Successful applicants are subject to a National Police Clearance, and background, integrity, and reference checks to Curtin’s satisfaction.  
• Ability to travel for national meetings, and work outside normal working hours as required.

About Curtin University

Curtin University proudly stands among the top one percent of global universities according to the ARWU 2025 rankings. Situated on Whadjuk Nyungar Country, our vibrant campus boasts an energetic, dedicated team of academics and professionals working together to provide global solutions through quality graduates and innovative research. Curtin is a welcoming space where integrity, respect for one another, courage, excellence, and impact are essential to everyday life. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information, please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page - https://staff.curtin.edu.au/discover-curtin/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-curtin/  

Join Us!

If this sounds like your next role, please click APPLY NOW ensuring to attach the following documents:  

• Up-to-date Resume 
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and demonstrating how your background meets the position’s selection criteria (noted above) - no more than two pages 

If you have any queries in relation to this opportunity or the application process, please contact our careers team on CurtinCareers@curtin.edu.au or 08 9266 9000 (option 3,1), quoting the reference number. Please note applications will not be accepted via this email address.  

Applications close: 8.30pm (AWST), Thursday, 19 March 2026 

Late applications or applications received via email will not be considered, and only successful candidates will be contacted. 

Please note we are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies at this time. 

Curtin reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw from the recruitment process, not to make an appointment, or to appoint by invitation, at any time. We reserve the right to remove the advert earlier than the date on the advert.