Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Soil Security for Cotton Farming Systems

Full time fixed term for 3 years with the possibility of extension. Located in Narrabri, NSW
Make a tangible impact on Australian agriculture
Base Salary, Academic Level B $132,533 - $157,381 + 17% superannuation
About the opportunity
The University of Sydney and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) have established a strategic research partnership to strengthen the productivity, climate resilience and environmental performance of Australian cotton farming systems. The partnership brings together expertise in soil science, digital agriculture, farming-systems agronomy, biodiversity, natural capital and industry engagement to develop practical solutions that support measurable on-farm change.
We are currently seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to contribute to the partnership's Capturing Value from Soil Security project. Based in Narrabri and working under the guidance of the Soils Partnership Project Lead and an interdisciplinary research team, the position will develop and apply a regionally relevant Soil Security assessment framework for cotton farming systems.
In this role you will:
Conduct research within Australian cotton farming systems, contributing to agreed project plans, milestones and CRDC reporting requirements.
Contribute to regional baseline assessment using pedogenons, genosoils and phenosoils as the organising soil-landscape framework, including the development and management of GIS layers and mapping products.
Identify and evaluate soil functions, ecosystem services and threats relevant to cotton systems, and develop scientifically robust, measurable indicators, thresholds, utility functions and scoring approaches across the dimensions of Soil Security.
Design and coordinate defined components of a stratified, multi-site soil-sampling program, including field logistics, randomisation, metadata, quality assurance and quality control.
Undertake regional fieldwork and coordinate the collection and laboratory characterisation of physical, chemical and biological soil properties using standardised and safe research protocols.
Review evidence and collaborate with growers, consultants, industry representatives and researchers to develop practical management responses, monitoring approaches and incentive options.
Work with CRDC, CottonInfo, grower groups, consultants, policymakers and other project partners through workshops, interviews, field days, conferences and other co-design or knowledge-exchange activities.
Contribute to the supervision and mentoring of undergraduate and postgraduate research students, including students undertaking projects connected to the Soil Security program, where formally allocated and appropriate to the classification.
Contribute to occasional undergraduate teaching, which may include practical classes, field-based teaching, tutorials, guest lectures, assessment and student support, where formally allocated and within the agreed workload.
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 Fellow who has:
a PhD awarded by commencement in soil science, pedology, agricultural or environmental science, agronomy, pedometrics, geospatial science or a closely related discipline.
demonstrated research experience in quantitative soil assessment, soil-landscape analysis, soil functions, soil condition or a closely related area.
experience designing or implementing soil field-sampling programs and working with physical, chemical or biological soil laboratory data.
strong skills in GIS, spatial statistics, digital soil mapping, geostatistics or related quantitative methods.
proficiency in reproducible data analysis using R, Python or equivalent software.
demonstrated ability to manage research data, apply QA/QC procedures and deliver work to agreed milestones.
a research-publication record appropriate to career stage and opportunity.
excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical findings to growers, industry partners and other non-specialist audiences.
demonstrated ability to work with increasing autonomy while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary, geographically distributed and multi-partner research teams, including contributing to shared planning, reporting and delivery.
the interpersonal skills and judgement required to engage respectfully with growers, consultants and industry stakeholders.
demonstrated experience designing and analysing surveys or other human-participant research, including preparing or contributing to human research ethics applications, participant materials, consent processes and appropriate research-data governance.
a demonstrated commitment to research integrity, ethics, data governance, inclusive practice and safe fieldwork.
willingness and ability to be based in Narrabri and undertake regular regional fieldwork, with occasional overnight or interstate travel as the project requires.
Pre-employment checks and declarations
Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. 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 LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
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