• Based at the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at the Waite Campus
• Full-time fixed term contract for 12 months
• Salary range: (Level B) $117,100 - $138,515 per annum (plus 17% superannuation)

At Adelaide University, we create the opportunities you need to achieve your ambitions – because when you thrive, we thrive. 

We are transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it’s a place of excellence and equity, where our vibrant community of staff are united by our purpose to inspire Australia’s future change-makers and create a better tomorrow.

Work that matters 

We are seeking a Research Fellow – Plasma Seed Enhancement (B) to join the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine to research and scale up a new technology - Plasma Seed Enhancement (PSE). By improving seed germination and seedling establishment for Australian native plant seeds, PSE has the potential to increase the efficiency and success of native vegetation restoration, while supporting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience across Australia. Over the short 12-month duration of the project, Research Fellow will have accumulated ample evidence to demonstrate a significant advance in the technology readiness of PSE, going from bench-top to small pilot scale, and positioning PSE for commercial readiness.

The team 

Reporting to Associate Professor Bryan Coad, you will work within a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment alongside researchers, students and industry partners to deliver high-impact research outcomes.

This role is based within the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at the Waite Campus, home to world-class programs in agricultural science, viticulture and oenology, and food science. As Australia’s leading agricultural research precinct, the Waite Campus brings together teaching, research and industry collaboration to drive innovation in agriculture. Our aim is to equip graduates and industry partners with the knowledge, skills and insights needed to support sustainable food and horticultural systems.

Visit the AU website to learn more about The School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.

Our people  

Our people are guided by purpose, curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. We embrace authenticity, innovation and collaboration, and harness diverse thinking in our pursuit of excellence.

AProf Coad’s plasma laboratory houses several systems used for driving new technological advances in food processing, sustainable biomaterials, and seed enhancement processes for agriculture and horticulture. In this project, germination outcomes for plasma treated seeds will be evaluated by specific biological, physical and chemical methods (e.g. seed germination assays, measurements of water uptake, and surface-sensitive analytical techniques). While many of these techniques are located at Waite campus, some will be accessed at other Adelaide University campuses.

A major objective of the role is to demonstrate scale-up of the technology and so the candidate will evaluate treatment results from small and mid-sized plasma systems. This role is ideal for a skilled researcher who also has an entrepreneurial mindset where the ideal combination of skills would include excellence in technical research and scale-up that will scope the pathway from the laboratory to commercial operation.

Learn more about our people, what we stand for and what we offer at Careers at AU.

Experience 

To join our community and thrive in this role, you will likely have the following skills and experience:

Essential

• A PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Materials Science or a closely related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated research experience relevant to the project.
• Demonstrated experience in experimental research involving the operation, development or optimisation of technical scientific equipment, including the ability to troubleshoot equipment and develop robust experimental protocols.
• Demonstrated experience in designing, conducting and analysing quantitative experiments, including the ability to collect, interpret and critically evaluate experimental data and draw scientifically sound conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and deliver research activities within defined timelines, including managing competing priorities, maintaining accurate research records, and meeting project milestones and deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and industry-engaged research environments, including communicating technical information to researchers, industry partners and other stakeholders, and contributing to collaborative problem-solving.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, and ability to contribute to the diversity of the school community

Desirable

• Demonstrated capacity to translate research into practical applications, including contributing to technology scale-up, commercialisation and/or entrepreneurship, and to the progression of a technology from laboratory or bench scale towards pilot-scale application.
• Experience with plasma technology, plasma processing, surface modification or related technologies.
• Experience in seed science, plant science, horticulture, agriculture or ecological restoration, including experience with seed germination, plant establishment or assessment of plant growth and vigour.
• Evidence of research outputs and/or impact in a closely related field, such as peer-reviewed publications, industry reports, patents, commercialisation outcomes or other demonstrated contributions to research translation.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity 

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and valued. Adelaide University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. 

Launch your future with Adelaide University now 

Applying is simple. Simply click on the Apply Now button and upload: 

• your current CV 
• a cover letter that tells us why you’re excited about the role 
• a statement (word document) that addresses the essential selection criteria

Submit your application by 11:30pm, Wednesday 23 September 2026

Please note that the role description is not attached to this advertisement as it is currently being finalised.

The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified. 

For further information about this opportunity, please contact (quoting reference number 493453): 

Jessica Maslen  
Team Lead – Talent Acquisition
People and Culture
+61 8 8302 1700| careers.adelaideuniversity@adelaide.edu.au 

Applications welcomed from Australian or NZ citizens, Australian permanent residents and those who have the legal right to work in Australia for the term of appointment. 

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