Research Assistant in Agriculture

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

Role highlights

• Do you want to learn while you earn?
• Gain a national certificate qualification and on the job experience.
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s leading scientific research organisation! 

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge. 

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity

CSIRO is looking for motivated and driven Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who want to gain a Nationally Accredited Qualification whilst undertaking on-the-job training.
 
The successful candidate will join the Cotton Crop Agronomy Team based in Myall Vale (Narrabri) and will assist the team with general field and greenhouse operations and maintenance, sampling experiments, processing samples, and sowing & harvesting field experiments. You will receive hands-on training under the supervision of an experienced and supportive team and be supported to undertake a Certificate III in Agriculture at Tocal College Paterson NSW, providing you with a great platform to gain both hands-on work experience and a nationally-recognised qualification. You will be required to attend six one-week intensive school periods as part of the Certificate III in Agriculture program, with CSIRO funding the direct costs (enrolment, wage, travel, accommodation, etc). 

CSIRO's cotton research is improving the sustainability, productivity, fibre quality and distinctiveness of the Australian cotton crop, from seed to shirt, through development of high-performing varieties, matching crop management strategies, improved post-harvest fibre processing technologies, and development of value-added co-products. Currently with 100 percent of Australian cotton grown from CSIRO varieties, we're adding value at all levels of the Australian cotton industry, including molecular biology, plant breeding, crop management and post-harvest processing.

If you are interested in a career in agriculture and would enjoy working in a practical setting with a collaborative team, this would be a great role for you – so apply now!

Your high-level duties will include:

• Undertaking a Certificate III in Agriculture, which includes attending six 1-week intensive schools at Tocal College, Paterson NSW.
• Assisting with establishment and maintenance of field experiments.
• Ginning and processing machine and hand harvested cotton samples, and undertaking cotton fibre quality testing.
• Preparing seed for planting, including delinting, packaging and arranging according to plans.
• Operating machinery such as tractors to assist with planting, cultivation, fertiliser, spraying and harvesting.
• Working as part of a multi-disciplinary research team, to carry out tasks under limited direction in support of scientific research.

Location: Myall Vale and Narrabri, NSW (Gomeroi and Narrabri Country)

Salary:  AU$ $61,079, plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified Term of 14 months; Full-time

Reference:  103987

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• An interest in agriculture, practical outdoor work and learning new skills in a research environment.
• The ability to lift, bend, walk and undertake repetitive motions and the ability to undertake manual handling and operate equipment safely in accordance with Health and Safety Procedures.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team, and carry out tasks under the direction of Scientific Researchers.
• Willingness and ability to travel with the team to conduct research at sites in the region.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and an understanding of data collection.
• A current Australian driver’s licence. 

For full details about this role please review the Position Description.

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Setting you up for success**

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact Careers.online@csiro.au and let us know how we can support you.  

Eligibility

CSIRO considers the filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity/affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).  The position is therefore only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with Australian Citizenship.

The successful candidate will be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Due to the nature of the position, the successful candidate will also be required to undertake a pre-employment medical examination prior to commencement.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted. 

CSIRO holds Platinum Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award. 

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to apply

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close

21 October 2026, 11:00pm AEDT

We strongly encourage you to apply early as we will be reviewing applications as they come through. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date if required.