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 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.