Senior Research Officer (WA Field Trial Coordinator)

UWA School of Agriculture and Environmental Science

• Applications open to individual with understanding of Western Australian cropping system who enjoys working in agriculture sector, outdoor field work and has a passion towards agriculture production 
• Level 7, full-time appointment on a fixed term contract for 3.5 years, commencing beginning of December 2022
• Base salary range: $92,679 - $102,830 plus 17% superannuation

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

About the team

The UWA School of Agriculture and Environment is a comprehensive, research-intensive school that spans the broad disciplines of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Agricultural Science, and Environmental Science. The School is located in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and the state of Western Australia has over 20,000km of coastline adjoining the Indian and Southern Oceans, and a wealth of marine and natural resources.

About the opportunity

You will coordinate and oversee field scale experiments at four locations (Esperance, Merredin, Pingelly, Wongan Hills) located in the Western Australian grainbelt. You will be part of a national project funded by the Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC) investigating the fate of N fertiliser applied to Australian dryland cropping systems.

You will develop written protocols, coordinate the collection and analyses of soil and plant samples, and collate data for annual reports. You will also liaise with staff from other Western Australian research institutions that form part of the Western Australian project team. You will gain experience in coordinating field experiments that form part of a national research program, the use of 15N isotopes for tracing the fate of N fertiliser, and techniques for measuring ammonia volatilisation losses from soil.

About you 

You will be an individual who enjoys working outdoors, field work and wants to contribute to the Agriculture sector. You will also be an organised and meticulous individual with excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to work independently and productively as part of a team. You will demonstrate excellent plant and soil sampling knowledge and skills and be willing to coordinate and train others.

To be considered for this role, you will demonstrate:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Science Honours or Science Agriculture Honours or demonstrated equivalent competency
• Relevant experience in Soil or Plant Sciences research including an understanding of Western Australian cropping systems
• Experience in the collection of soil (surface and subsoils) and plant samples from field experiments
• Excellent analytical and laboratory skills in chemical assays of soil or plant samples, including the operation of analytical equipment
• Ability to collate and maintain accurate records of procedures and results, including data entry and sample archiving

Note: A current ‘C’ class driver’s licence, 4WD certificate (or willingness to undertake 4WD training) and regular travel within south-west Western Australia with multiple overnight stays to undertake field work are requirements of this position.

About your application

Full details of the position's responsibilities and the selection criteria are outlined in the position description.

You are required to address the selection criteria in your submission in a separate document. For information to assist you with compiling statements to answer the selection criteria, please visit Addressing the selection criteria

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Monday, 3 October 2022

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Associate Professor Louise Barton at [email protected]

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

Application Details: Please apply online via the Apply Now button.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace.  We celebrate difference and believe diversity is fundamental to achieving our goals as a globally recognised Top 100 educational and research institution.  We are committed to creating a safe work environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community and people living with disability.

• We have a globally competitive, gender neutral parental leave policy with 26 weeks paid leave after 12 months service and 36 weeks after 5 years.
• We have on-campus childcare facilities for child 6 weeks to kindy.
• We facilitate flexible working, with part-time and job-sharing arrangements considered.
• We have an ongoing partnership with Pride in Diversity and were recently awarded a Bronze Employer status for LGBTIQA+ inclusion.
• We have Athena SWAN Bronze accreditation and actively work to improve gender equity. 

Should you have any queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. Alternatively, contact the Talent team at [email protected] with details of your query. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number and a member of the team will respond to your enquiry.