HELP SHAPE AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH DATA AND MAKE A TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE TO GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY.

The University of Adelaide leads the Australian Plant Phenomics Network (APPN), a national research infrastructure initiative established through the Commonwealth’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). APPN delivers cutting-edge imaging and data collection technologies for plant phenotyping, supporting research in controlled environments, field sites, and remote locations. The network consists of nine nodes strategically positioned across Australia’s diverse climate zones—spanning WA, SA, ACT, Victoria, NSW, and Queensland—and is hosted by eight leading universities and one state government department.
We’re looking for a skilled and motivated Software Engineer (Data Packaging) to join the APPN Central Data Team. In this role, you’ll develop foundational software tools in Python that ensure our plant phenotyping data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). Your work will help deliver consistent, well-documented data packages used by researchers nationwide.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Tertiary qualification in either Computer Science or Software Engineering with at least 2 years relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and/or training, including broad experience in a scientific/research and/or industry environment(s).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and implement modular Python software solutions for data packaging and transfer
• Develop data pipelines integrating sensor, camera, and analytic outputs
• Apply metadata standards (e.g. JSON-LD, RO-Crate, MIAPPE)
• Work closely with plant scientists, data teams, and IT experts across Australia
• Ensure software aligns with best practices in coding, documentation, testing, and version control
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture

YOUR FACULTY’S BROADER ROLE

The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The Faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance.
Learn more at: set.adelaide.edu.au