Research Fellow in Agricultural Economics, Extension, and Education

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE, Australia

Updated: about 2 hours ago
Location: Melbourne, VICTORIA
Deadline: 02 May 2025

Position Number: 0065691
Location: Mildura VIC or Griffith NSW
Role type: Full-time; Fixed-term for 2 years.
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Department/School:  School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
Salary: Level B - $119,231 - $141,581 p.a. plus 17% super

  • Contribute to agricultural research that benefits farmers and the community
  • Apply now to lead research in digital irrigation, facilitating innovation and assisting to achieve sustainable outcomes in the Murray Darling Basin
  • Investing in your own development: there is a range of benefits including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

    • The University of Melbourne
    We take pride in our people contributing to our mission of contributing to society through the wide and deep impact of education and research. Discover more via our website  and stay connected with us on LinkedIn .   

    Your next career opportunity
    As a Research Fellow in the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, you'll play a crucial role in assisting to advance the development and adoption of digital irrigation technologies in the Murray Darling Basin. You'll conduct interdisciplinary research spanning agricultural extension, education, and economics, contributing to a large transdisciplinary project funded by the OneBasin Cooperative Research Centre. This role offers you the opportunity to make significant contributions to academic knowledge while directly benefiting agricultural communities through effective engagement and outreach activities.

    The successful applicant will be based regionally at one of the OneBasin CRC hubs in either Mildura in Victoria or Griffith in New South Wales and will be required to travel throughout the Murray Darling Basin for research activities, events and meetings.

    Your responsibilities will include:

  • Conduct High-Impact Research: Lead studies on digital irrigation, agricultural extension, and farm economics, publishing findings in national and international journals and presenting at conferences.
  • Collaborate Across Disciplines: Work closely with the Agricultural Economics Group and Rural Innovation Research Group of the University of Melbourne, as well as  with the OneBasin CRC partners.
  • Engage with Stakeholders: Build and maintain relationships with farmers, advisors, technology companies, agricultural economists and water managers throughout the Murray Darling Basin.
  • Push Innovation: Contribute to developing networks and elevating public awareness of digital agricultural innovations through research dissemination and community engagement.

    • You may be a great fit if:
    You are a passionate researcher with a PhD in agricultural extension, education, or agricultural economics, possessing excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary fields while solving complex problems in digital irrigation and agricultural innovation in farm systems..

    You may also:

  • Have a strong publication record in agricultural extension, education, or agricultural economics.
  • Possess experience in conducting farm and agricultural economic analysis, including benefit-cost analysis.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with irrigation issues, farm practices and management, and water management in the Murray Darling Basin.
  • Have excellent communication skills and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
  • Be willing to work and travel in regional and remote areas.
  • Hold a current driver's license.

    • For further information please refer to the attached PD.

    What we offer you!
    We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfillment, including:

  • Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
  • Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance
  • Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance
  • Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program
  • Comprehensive career development and training, plus a 25% discount on UniMelb graduate courses for your immediate family members!

    • For more information check out our benefits  page!

    Your new team – School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences

    The School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences has a vision of science for flourishing environments and communities. The School brings together diverse discipline strengths to lead the development of innovative interdisciplinary thinking and high-impact solutions for global challenges relating to climate change, food security, healthy food systems, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, invasive species, and environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural practices. Our expertise spans biophysical, social and technical sciences, and we support a large cohort of PhD students across these domains.

    The School teaches a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including the Bachelor of Agriculture, several majors of the Bachelor of Science and, and six Master coursework programs: Master of Agricultural Sciences, Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation, Master of Food and Packaging Innovation, Master of Food Science, Master of Urban Horticulture and Master of Environment.

    Be Yourself
    The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and have the opportunity to thrive regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, being a parent or having caring responsibilities.

    The University of Melbourne is committed to fostering a barrier-free and inclusive recruitment process. We are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates throughout the application and interview stages, including accessible document formats and alternative application methods.  To discuss your specific requirements, please feel free to contact Kim Groizard +61 3 9035 3218 or send an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments' to hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au.  You can find more information for applicants requiring reasonable adjustments on our Careers website: https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
    We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

    For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring   

    If you are a member of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community and would like any support, please feel free to contact our Indigenous Employment & Development team via email at oied-hr@unimelb.edu.au .

    Working at the University – what you need to know
    This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a Working with Children Check The successful candidate can apply for the WWCC as part of the onboarding process. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

    Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.

    Join Us and unlock your career potential!
    Is this the perfect opportunity for you? Apply today! Including the following documents:

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
  • The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)

    • ^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

    If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Oliver Bukasa via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

    If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.

    Applications close: 2 May 2025 11:55 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) / Melbourne time zone.

    Position Description: 0065691 - Research Fellow (Agricultural Economics, Extension, Education) - PD.pdf


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