• Are you a motivated, early career scientist interested in being involved in agricultural research?
• Do you have, or will shortly obtain, a PhD in an agricultural science discipline?
• Work with world-leading researchers in mixed farming systems, crop & pasture agronomy & systems modelling

The Position:

CSIRO Agriculture & Food is seeking a motivated postdoctoral fellow to work in their Integrated Agricultural Systems team in Canberra. They will have experience in livestock production systems and assessment of grazing animal performance on pasture/forage and/or dual purpose crop systems.  The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in measuring grazing animal performance based on assessment of nutritive value of forage on offer, intake and animal growth rates, and a good understanding in pasture/crop agronomy, species selection and utilisation of dual-purpose crops. They will also collaborate with fellow researchers within CSIRO and other departments and interact with farmers, advisors and grower group networks.

Your duties will include:

• Contributing to the development and implementation of a multi-site research program to evaluate the growth performance and nutritive value of novel forage and pasture species combinations grown in the field.
• Leading the effort to measure the performance and growth rates of grazing animals (sheep) on forage crop and pasture combinations, and collect agronomic and physiological plant data to predict grazing animal performance.
• Using farming systems models and/or work with modellers to analyse feed-base and livestock productivity implications from novel forage and/or pasture species combinations when introduced into different production systems.
• Producing client reports & high quality scientific papers suitable for publication in peer-reviewed International journals.
• Presenting research findings to collaborating farmers, advisors, grower groups and industry partners.

Location: Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT
Salary: $80k to $91k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of 3 years
Ref no: 55920

To be successful you will have:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant agricultural science discipline area, such as animal nutrition, grazing animal performance, pasture/forage agronomy or mixed farming systems modelling.   Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience.
• High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including at national and international conferences.
• Experience in conducting agricultural field research activities that involve grazing animals, including assessment of animal performance and associated analysis of forage nutritive quality.
• Understanding of the drivers for production in Australian pasture/forage-based livestock systems. 
• Capacity to use crop and/or pasture models and/or farming system decision support tools.

Before applying please view the full position details and selection criteria here: Position Details

About Us

We imagine. We collaborate. We innovate. At CSIRO, we do the extraordinary every day. We innovate for tomorrow and help improve today – for our customers, all Australians and the world. We do this by using science and technology to solve real issues. Diversity is the compass that navigates our innovation. We provide an inclusive workplace that respects, values and actively pursues the benefits of a diverse workforce.

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you.  Find out more Balance

How to Apply: Please provide enough information relevant to the selection criteria for this position to enable the assessment panel to determine your suitability, and upload one document containing your CV/resume and cover letter.  

Applications Close:  10:59pm AEST, 16 April 2018