ABOUT THE ROLE
Entomologist – Meringa station (Cairns Region)
SECTOR: Entomology
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time
LOCATION: Meringa
Fantastic opportunity for an experienced researcher with entomology skills to make a positive impact for the Australian sugarcane industry.
• Focus on insect pest management
• Combination of field and laboratory work
• Meringa location (Cairns region)
SRA has an ongoing opportunity for an experienced entomologist to provide leadership and day-to-day delivery of entomology activities. The entomologist provides research support to research project activities operating in the Wet Tropics and other sugarcane growing regions as required, focusing on insect pest management and environmental impacts. This role is an opportunity to provide leadership and day-to-day delivery of entomology activities. Working closely with our Entomology Team Leader, you will be required to lead, develop, and implement laboratory and field research activities on a variety of pest management projects.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Contribute to research projects that are consistent with SRA objectives and priorities, taking into account end-users’ needs, the potential to make significant scientific progress toward the objective, and the potential to achieve effective implementation; this activity includes developing project proposals and, where appropriate, funding applications
• Under direction assist with planning research trials, providing scientific leadership throughout, ensuring that key aspects of the project are executed in a sound scientific way, analysing and interpreting experimental results, and drawing appropriate conclusions
• Under direction apply project management processes to each activity, ensuring that work is planned, executed, and concluded consistently with an agreed timetable, and within allocated people, financial and material resources
• Assist in reporting the outcomes to clients. Contribute to publishing the results in relevant scientific and industry journals, and in other media appropriate to the sugar industry, and using other appropriate channels to communicate the information to SRA stakeholders and other relevant bodies
YOUR REQUIREMENTS
Essential:
The Entomologist’s role covers a broad range of activities. It is essential to demonstrate experience and/or knowledge in the following:
• At least 3 years of active laboratory and field research experience with a significant entomology focus.
• Experience in the use of molecular techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team of researchers/technicians/research assistants and to take the lead for a specific well-defined project or several sub project activities.
• Experience with rearing insects under laboratory conditions.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use statistical software packages and conduct analysis.
• Proven research ability and considerable scientific knowledge in key areas of discipline with developing awareness of the sugar industry and the science that underpins it.
• Several years’ research experience following completion of their undergraduate studies.
• Exercise effective project management skills within the scope of responsibilities.
• Ability to work under tropical conditions.
Desirable:
• Experience in plant biosecurity.
• Experience in the use of chemical or biological pesticide use.
• Experience in the use of farm machinery.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If your skills and experience meet the above criteria and you would like to be part of a dedicated team, please click ‘Apply’ to submit your application, no later than 8am on Friday 11 September 2026.
Applicants must have the right to work in Australia to apply. The successful applicant will be required to undertake a medical screening (including a functional capacity assessment, drug and alcohol screening, and audiometry testing), police check, and VEVO check for relevant visa holders.
For further information on the role please refer to the position description link below.
