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Technical Officer
Crop and Food Science; Agri-Science Queensland; Agriculture; Warwick
Bring legacy to life. For the future of Queensland and the world.
As a Technical Officer, you will work with energetic breeders and technical officers in the tropical pulse breeding team to deliver new varieties to the national industry. You will be part of a team that deliver new disease resistant, high yielding varieties and improved germplasm for broadacre tropical farming systems.
Just imagine what you could achieve with us. #passionandpurpose #DPIcareers
Job details
| Position status | Fixed Term Temporary |
|---|---|
| Position type | Flexible full-time |
| Occupational group | Primary Industry & Environment |
| Classification | TO2, TO3 |
| Workplace Location | Toowoomba region |
| Job ad reference | QLD/694819/26 |
| Closing date | 23-Jul-2026 |
| Job duration | until 30/10/2027 with possible extension |
| Contact person | Merrill Ryan |
| Contact details | Phone: 0427 603 038 Access the National Relay Service |
The opportunity:
As our TO2 Technical Officer you will:
• Collaborate with local project leaders and other team members, providing technical support on a range of research projects focusing on genetic improvement and participate in the local planning within the team.
• Ensure timely planting, spraying, harvesting, data capture and monitoring yield and disease trials, both in field and glasshouse environments.
• Assist with computer files for printing pot tags, packet labels and seed packets.
Help maintain a central database of experimental results in preparation for statistical analysis.
• Assist with seed handling procedures, glasshouse research activities and field research activities.
• Communicate well and be able to work individually with supervision. Actively participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
As our TO3 Technical Officer you will:
• Collaborate with local project leaders and other team members, providing technical support on a range of research projects focusing on genetic improvement and participate in the local planning within the team.
• Coordinate and conduct a mixture of crop breeding activities at onsite and offsite field locations, glasshouse and laboratory environments.
• Apply innovative thinking to solve complex problems, foresee and overcome technical difficulties encountered in field trials in a variety of situations (sometimes remote).
• Manage and curate electronic inventory databases and genetic data files.
• Manage and participate in seed handling procedures.
• Oversee and participate in glasshouse and laboratory research activities.
• Undertake field research with minimal supervision. Monitor weather patterns and lead times for land allocation and pre-season preparations for the timely planting, spraying and harvesting of large successful field trials.
• Oversee and participate in field research activities at trial sites located both onsite at Warwick and offsite.
• Communicate well and actively participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. Supervise support staff and resources allocated to the project.
Technical Requirements of the role:
• Ability to (or ability to learn to) implement experimental designs and procedures.
• Skills in (or ability to learn) laboratory, glasshouse and field research operations and techniques relevant to plant breeding and pathology.
• Experience in conducting successful field and glasshouse experiments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a multi-disciplinary breeding team as well as farmers, private agronomists, trial contractors and DPI facility staff.
• Ability and willingness to live regionally, work outdoors and to travel (including overnight).
There are some qualifications and licences that we see as essential. You must possess a:
• Diploma or equivalent qualification in Applied Science or similar field from a recognised tertiary institution.
• Hold a current “C class” driver's licence.
• Desirable to hold, or an ability to acquire:
o Queensland chemical commercial operator's licence.
o Australian forklift licence.
o Australian heavy truck licence.
o AMA accredited mungbean agronomist.
Why work for us
Learn why our people choose DPI and more importantly why they stay.
• Work with passion and purpose
• Have a tangible impact, for today and tomorrow
• Enjoy interesting, diverse work
• Follow your path wherever it leads
• Get the flexibility and support you need to thrive
• Be part of our one, diverse DPI
Visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au to learn more about us and what we do.
Applications to remain current for 12 months.
Job Ad Reference: QLD/694819/26
Closing Date: Thursday, 23 July 2026
Further information
We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.
Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.
Documents
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