Part-time (21 hours per week), fixed-term until 31 October 2028. Located at the University of Sydney’s Narrabri and Camperdown campuses.
Opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in Australian native grain science
Base Salary $113,399 - $121,055 (Level A) or $ 127,436 - $ 151,328 (Level B) pro rata + 17% superannuation
About the opportunity
The School of Life and Environmental Sciences is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate (Level A) or Research Fellow (Level B) in Australian Native Grain Science who has knowledge and research experience in the growth and sampling of plants in field or controlled environments, and an understanding of grain processing and grain quality. Familiarity with the Narrabri region of northern NSW would be an advantage as the appointee will be expected to conduct research in the region and deliver a range of interactions with the Gomeroi community and other Indigenous stakeholders during the project. The position is supported by an ARC Discovery-Projects grant DP250101050 entitled Food Quality of Australian Indigenous Grains: Impacts of Plant Environment with CIs Thomas Roberts, Claudia Keitel, Tina Bell, Ali Khoddami, Rebecca Cross and Floris van Ogtrop.
The research will be based at the Narrabri campus of the University of Sydney (USyd), which encompasses Llara, a 600-ha farm and research facility. The appointee will work autonomously and is expected to travel between Sydney, where the CIs are based, and Narrabri, when required.
In collaboration with the CIs, PhD students, the Research Assistant, and other members of the research team, the appointee will contribute to experimental work, including:
field sampling of grains from populations of native grasses
glasshouse experiments that grow the native grasses to maturity (to produce grains) with varying nutrient supply and abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, and salinity
analysis of the physicochemical properties of the grains sourced from both the field and glasshouse, and
testing of flours from the native grains to assess their performance in food applications.
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 Postdoctoral Research Associate/Research Fellow in Australian Native Grain Science who can demonstrate they meet the following criteria.
Essential criteria
a PhD in plant biology or plant ecology
experience in field sampling of plants and/or the growth of plants in controlled environments
exceptional skills in laboratory analysis
a NSW Driver's licence and willingness to drive between Sydney and Narrabri and in the NSW countryside, including off-road.
Desirable criteria
skills in grain analysis
supervision of research students
ability to effectively communicate with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and stakeholders .
Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.
Pre-employment checks
Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.
EEO statement
At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence, and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion , evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTIQ+ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion .
How to apply
Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.
For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.
For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nicole Turle, Recruitment Operations by email to recruitment.sea@sydney.edu.au
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Applications Close
Wednesday 03 September 2025 11:59 PM