Horticulture Manager

(HEO6) $92,511 - $99,929 per annum plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation applies.

Fixed term, full time position until the end of June 2028.

The University of Adelaide node of the APPN, The Plant Accelerator

(TPA) is actively seeking a highly organised and enthusiastic individual to join our dynamic team and contribute their unique skills.
The Plant Accelerator offers cutting-edge greenhouse and controlled-environment facilities, equipped with advanced plant phenotyping technologies—including gravimetric watering, conveyor-based imaging, and X-ray CT scanning of cereal spikes. As a full-service research facility, we support both academic and industry clients, offering everything from space hire to end-to-end phenotyping solutions: experimental design, plant growth, data collection, and analysis.

The Horticulture Manager will support the effective operation of TPA's horticultural facilities, maintaining plant material grown in the facility for research purposes, including Integrated Pest Management and compliance with PC2 and BC2 requirements. In this position, you will be directly involved in plant phenotyping projects, ensuring project objectives can be met by understanding user requirements, including timelines, space requirements, consumable needs and necessary technical support from the horticultural team.

You will play a key role in the smooth and safe operation of our state-of-the-art controlled environment facilities. You'll oversee stock and chemical record management (including safety data sheets), ensure accurate sample tracking, and work closely with our horticultural team to streamline operational processes.

In this role, you'll gain in-depth knowledge of our advanced phenotyping infrastructure at The Plant Accelerator, including system programming and troubleshooting of high-tech equipment such as the automated imaging system, gravimetric watering system, and X-ray CT scanner.

To be successful you will need:

Knowledge and Experience:

Essential:

• Demonstrated experience in greenhouse or laboratory management.
• Experience in Integrated Pest Management.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects and competing demands.
• Ability to operate complex infrastructure and bespoke software, including troubleshooting.
• Exceptional attention to detail and demonstrated experience in record keeping for research and compliance purposes.
• Experience working with PC2 and BC2 plant material, and good working knowledge of PC2 and BC2 requirements.
• Experience working in service delivery, including excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to promote the organisational values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery, and a commitment to positively comply with the associated behaviour expectations.

Desirable

• Chemical Accreditation to apply pesticides in greenhouse environment.

Qualification/s:

• A degree in plant science, horticulture, biological science or related field with subsequent relevant work experience; or
• An equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

The path to Adelaide University

We are on an exciting path to Adelaide University as we prepare to open our doors in January 2026. Adelaide University will combine the strengths of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, and we are dedicated to creating an accessible and future-focused educational powerhouse that fosters economic and social wellbeing through ground-breaking research and innovative teaching. You can learn more about Adelaide University HERE and more information will be providedthroughout the recruitment process.

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

We offer a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaboration - offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.

It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature - not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour - provides a constant source of inspiration.

Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with ourStaff Values and Behaviour Frameworkand our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.

We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life.

In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include: salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

Learn more

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. TheFacultyactively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance.

Learn more

If you have the talent, we'll give you the opportunity. Together, let's make history.

Please click here to view the Position Description and apply. Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description.

Applications close 11:55pm, 21 October 2025.

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

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

Bettina Berger

Grant-Funded Researcher (D) - Scientific Director, The Plant Accelerator

E:

You'll find a full position description and/or selection criteria below:
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We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employercommitted to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply.If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.