Agricultural Research Farm Hand in Narrabri

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.

Role highlights:

• Put your farming skills to work in hands-on cotton research.
• Operate machinery and support field trials from planting to harvest.
• Join CSIRO’s Myall Vale team to help develop improved cotton varieties.

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.

The opportunity:

Join CSIRO’s Cotton Breeding Group as an Agricultural Research Farm Hand and help develop new cotton varieties for Australia’s cotton industry. Based at the Australian Cotton Research Institute in Narrabri, you’ll support hands-on field and glasshouse research, including sowing and harvesting trials at Myall Vale and regional sites across NSW and Queensland, alongside field, crop, water and pesticide management.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Operate machinery such as planting, cultivation, fertiliser, spraying and harvesting to manage cotton and other crops in rotation at Myall Vale and other remote locations.
• Irrigate crops as directed and when required.
• Assist with other operations within the CSIRO cotton breeding program, such as crossing, glasshouse operations, post-harvest sample processing and trial preparation.
• Be an active member of a large team, assisting in running an extensive cotton breeding program aimed at developing improved cultivars.
• Provide instruction and assist other staff to complete allocated tasks and activities, as required.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team, to carry out tasks under limited direction in support of scientific research.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues within your team, the business unit and across CSIRO, to reach objectives.
• Provide instruction on activities pertaining to the immediate work area and responsibilities, as required.
• Assist with maintenance of cotton pickers, module press and other farm equipment as required.

Role particulars:

• Location: Myall Vale, Narrabri, NSW
• Salary: AU$76k - AU$96k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) + 15.4% superannuation
• Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite, Full-time
• Reference: 104288

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential:

• Current driver’s licence (C).
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in the competent operation of row crop farming equipment together with the management of irrigation systems.
• 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 general direction from Scientific Researchers.
• The ability and willingness to work in harsh and adverse conditions whilst maintaining health and safety requirements.

Desirable:

• Previous involvement with cotton production or experimentation.
• Cotton planting and harvesting experience would be desirable.
• HC driver’s licence (or ability to obtain), forklift (LF) license and chemical application certification (AQF3); Competent Operation of Machinery (or equivalent).

For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the Position Description.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria? While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

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 Laura Mason via Careers.Online@csiro.au and let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements:

CSIRO offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities.

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.

Eligibility:

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, and Australian Permanent Residents. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Child safety:

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

Applications close 2 November 2026, 11:00pm AEDT.