"Technical Assistant (Field Work)"

Job Description:

• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation / Centre for Crop Science
• Full-time fixed-term position through to end of January 2027
• Base salary will be in the range $76,025.01 - $80,606.71 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 4)
• Based at our Hermitage Research Station, Warwick

About This Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to join a world-leading research team advancing sorghum genetics and crop innovation. As a Technical Assistant (Field Work), you will play a hands-on role in supporting field and glasshouse activities across multiple ongoing research projects, contributing directly to impactful agricultural research.

This position provides a unique pathway for a motivated early-career scientist to build technical capability in best-practice experimental design, field and glasshouse operations, seed management, and high-quality data collection. You’ll maintain field equipment, uphold safety and compliance standards, and provide logistical support for field-based teaching and research activities across the University.

Working within a collaborative and supportive environment, you’ll gain valuable experience in applied plant research while helping drive discoveries that support more resilient and productive cropping systems.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Field & Glasshouse Research Support: Assist with planning, preparing and executing field and glasshouse activities for sorghum research. Collect and record high-quality data, follow best-practice data management, operate and maintain field equipment and digital tools, manage seed stock inventories, and develop/update SOPs.
• Safety, Training & Compliance: Uphold UQ values and safety standards by conducting risk assessments, developing safe work procedures, and training/supervising students and staff in safe fieldwork practices and equipment use, ensuring compliance with University and legislative requirements.
• Administration & Collaboration: Maintain accurate records of fieldwork activities, equipment usage, calibration and safety documentation. Work collaboratively with technical and casual staff to deliver efficient, high-quality fieldwork support services.

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.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave
• 17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading
• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
• Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program
• Salary packaging options

About You

• Relevant tertiary qualification (e.g., Bachelor’s in Agriculture or related field) or equivalent work experience.
• Foundational knowledge of plant breeding strategies.
• Experience with field and glasshouse trial logistics in crops (sorghum preferred), including seed packeting, pollination, emasculation, digital note taking and harvesting.
• Knowledge of workplace health and safety requirements, including conducting risk assessments and following safety protocols.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Proficiency in computer and database systems, including Microsoft Office.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to train others and prepare clear documentation.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to prioritise work and meet research deadlines.
• High level of accuracy and commitment to excellence in all tasks.
• Current driver’s licence and willingness to travel to remote field locations.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia.

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.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor David Jordan at david.jordan@uq.edu.au.

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume
• A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close Thursday 4 December 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-58173). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for 13th and 14th January 2026.

Posted: 29/11/2025