ISPA Account
Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Farming Systems Agronomy
- Exciting opportunity for a talented and motivated Lecturer or Senior in Lecturer in Farming Systems Agronomy to join the Faculty of Science
- Located at the IA Watson Grains Research Centre, Narrabri NSW in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences
- Full time continuing position offering a base salary $118K - $167K p.a. (Level B or C) + 17% Superannuation
About the opportunity
The School of Life and Environmental Sciences (SOLES) at The University of Sydney is seeking to appoint a Lecturer or Senior in Lecturer in Farming Systems Agronomy to be based at the IA Watson Grains Research Centre, home of the International Centre of Crop and Digital Agriculture in Narrabri. The University of Sydney has an illustrious 113-year history and significant disciplinary strength in agriculture including plant production & breeding (Plant Breeding Institute), digital agriculture (Precision Agriculture Laboratory) including agricultural robotics (Australian Centre for Field Robotics), soil science (Soil Security Laboratory) and hydrology. SOLES also has complementary expertise in plant biology. There are opportunities to collaborate with the Sydney Institute of Agriculture (SIA), which oversees research and development of the university’s agricultural capabilities.
The successful applicant will bring expertise in farming systems agronomy including broadacre cropping systems with a focus on environmental sustainability and resilience. The successful applicant will have a track record of excellence in research publications and successful applications for research funding, demonstrating clear potential to become a leader in their field. It is expected that the candidate’s research background and future program will focus on plant x management practice x environment interactions. They will have a track record of success in teaching, research and publication commensurate with an early/mid-career scientist on a rising trajectory. The successful applicant will have research interests that complement and/or enrich the existing strengths and expertise in the School in the general area of digital agriculture and farming systems agronomy. They will lead new research and show a willingness to contribute to current research programs, focusing on synergistic approaches to managing, plant, soil and environmental interactions. They should have a track-record of successful collaboration nationally and internationally and articulate a vision for potential collaboration within SOLES, across the University of Sydney and beyond.
The University places emphasis on research excellence and research with impact; inter-disciplinary research is encouraged. SOLES has a program of undergraduate teaching in agriculture from first year to Honours/Masters level and the successful applicant will be expected to contribute across this teaching in Camperdown and Narrabri, in addition to being actively involved in postgraduate training. The successful applicant will also be expected to participate in management and administration and should be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the promotion of teaching and learning.
About you
The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Farming Systems Agronomy who has:
- a PhD in an appropriate area (farming systems, agronomy, weed biology and management, digital agriculture and/or a related discipline)
- knowledge and experience gained at postdoctoral level in agronomic research related to large-scale cropping systems with a track record of both successful research funding applications and high-quality research publications as first or senior author
- experience in either grain or cotton production, weed management and/or digital agriculture would be an advantage
- experience in teaching farming systems agronomy and plant production including lectures, tutorials and supervision of laboratory and field-based practicals
- demonstrated understanding and experience of relevant work health and safety issues, including laboratory and field-based work
- experience of successful supervision of honours and higher degree students, including PhD students, either formally or on a day-to-day basis
- a clear vision of how your planned research would complement and/or enrich the existing strengths and expertise of the School
- previous experience of successful collaborative projects
- a willingness to promote SOLES research with cropping industries through extension and training programs with growers, advisors and commercial suppliers
- a willingness to foster inter-Faculty research development opportunities and provide technical expertise in farming systems agronomy to USYD farm management in support of resilient and sustainable production improvements
- excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication and time management skills
- the ability to lead an independent research program as well as being an enthusiastic and successful team member.
Note: It is also important the successful applicant have a valid Australian Unrestricted Drivers License and access to a vehicle to get in and out of the Narrabri area.
To apply for this role, please outline your relevant skills and experience in your cover letter and attach to your online application.