Research Fellow (Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration (ACDC))

Total remuneration range $133,256 to $157,504 pa

Full-time, fixed-term appointment until 30/06/2028

Narrabri NSW

School of Science, Engineering and Digital Technologies

Be part of a nationally significant research initiative tackling one of the cotton industry’s biggest challenges. The Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration (ACDC) brings together UniSQ, the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), and Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to deliver innovative, collaborative solutions that reduce the economic impact of cotton diseases.

Hosted by the Institute for Agriculture, Climate and Environment | University of Southern Queensland, the ACDC Virtual National Centre is driving cutting-edge diagnostics, molecular research, and industry engagement to support growers across Australia. In this role, you will contribute to impactful, industry-connected research with real-world outcomes.

Who you are

You are an emerging research academic with a passion for plant pathology or molecular pathology, motivated by applied research that makes a tangible difference to industry and communities.

You bring initiative and a collaborative approach, working with multidisciplinary teams across academia, government, and industry. You’re keen to build your research profile, contribute to meaningful projects, and develop your academic career.

What you'll do

You will play a key role in research by conducting cultural and molecular characterisation of disease samples from cotton-growing regions, particularly New South Wales and contributing to high-quality research, publications and funding applications.

You will have the opportunity to grow your academic career by leading research projects encompassing national priorities, engaging closely with industry partners and supporting decision-making. You will also have the opportunity to supervise honours and postgraduate research students.

This role offers the opportunity to build a strong research track record, expand your professional network, and make a measurable impact on a nationally important agricultural sector.

What will help you succeed

To thrive in this role, you will demonstrate:

• A doctoral or master’s qualification or equivalent accreditation and standing in plant pathology
• Demonstrated professional experience and/or research expertise in characterisation of crop pathogens, including the use of PCR-based molecular techniques
• Research experience with the ability to contribute to publications and secure funding
• Experience or interest in working in collaborative, industry-linked research projects
• Experience in oral and written communication and interpersonal skills to share research outcomes with growers and farming industry representatives
• A valid driver’s license and willingness to visit cotton farms and ACDC partnering organisations

An understanding of plant diseases, molecular diagnostics, or agricultural systems will be highly regarded.

A willingness to travel, undertake fieldwork, and be based predominantly in Narrabri is imperative.

For further information about this role, please contact Professor Sambasivam Periyannan, Professor (Crop Molecular Genetics) via +61 7 4631 1502 or Sambasivam.Periyannan@unisq.edu.au

Building on its strengths as Australia’s leading regional university, UniSQ partners closely with its communities to drive innovation and create opportunity through education and research. Guided by our values of respect, integrity, and excellence, UniSQ’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030 sets a clear ambition: to be Australia’s most transformative university by embracing our regional identity, fostering inclusive learning and research environments, and delivering globally relevant outcomes with strong local impact.

The University offers a range of different ways of working and connecting across our physical and virtual spaces to meet the needs of our students, partners and community. We value diversity and strive to foster an inclusive environment that is underpinned by our values and champions, embraces and respects differences.

We support and encourage applications from all diversity groups. With an increasingly diverse workforce, we understand that careers may be placed on hold or limited throughout many life circumstances.

Find out more about UniSQ at www.unisq.edu.au/jobs.

To be considered for this position, you will need to have the right to work in Australia.

Reference Number: 0052_02/26

Location: Narrabri NSW

Term: Full-time fixed-term appointment until 30 June 2028 (37.5 hours/week)

Salary: Total remuneration range $133,256 to $157,504 pa (includes salary range of $112,381 to $132,831 pa, employer super contributions of 17% and annual leave loading)

Closes: Sunday, 7 June 2026 at 11:30 pm (AEST)

At UniSQ we are united by our core values of Respect, Integrity and Excellence, which guide our daily actions and decision-making. UniSQ is a child safe organisation.

As part of the University of Southern Queensland's commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and rewarding work environment and in compliance with our legal obligations, we require candidates to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender Based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender Based Violence, during the course of their previous employment or in any legal process.

This information helps us meet our legal obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence, and will be considered when determining a candidate's suitability for employment, so that we can keep our University community safe.

If you know that this role is right for you, please submit your current resume together with a two-page (maximum) statement, outlining your skills and experience relative to ‘Who we’re looking for’ in the position description.

Position Description