Agricultural Research Scientist
What the work is
Researches and studies commercial plants, animals and cultivation techniques to enhance the productivity of farms and agricultural industries.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Researches and studies the environmental factors affecting commercial crop production, pasture growth and animal breeding
- Researches and studies the effects of cultivation techniques, soils, insects and plant diseases on animal and crop production
- Develops procedures and techniques for solving agricultural or horticultural problems, and improving the efficiency of production
- Designs and conducts experiments to test new farming methods and technologies
- Collaborates with farmers and industry stakeholders to prioritise research needs
- Writes research proposals and secures funding for agricultural research projects, and presents findings at conferences and publishes them in scientific journals
- Provides technical advice and support to farmers on best practices for crop cultivation and animal husbandry
- Develops and implements strategies for sustainable agriculture and resource management
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in farms across a farming district, an agronomy practice and the shed of an oyster grower. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A paddock you advised on greens up and the farmer sends a photo with no caption
- You spot a disease early on a walk through a crop and save the harvest
- A grower says a tip from you saved them a season of trouble
Hard days
- A dry spell has everyone worried and every farmer wants an answer you do not yet have
- A farmer has already decided what to do and wants you to confirm it
- Long drives on dirt roads with samples to analyse and reports to write after
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 244132, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.