Trainee Research Agronomist

Do you enjoy practical, working with machinery and seeing the results of your work in the field? Carrfields is looking for a capable and practical Trainee Research Agronomist to join our arable research team. This is a varied role working across Carrfields’ research farm and associated trial sites. You’ll be involved in everything from plant establishment, irrigation and crop protection through to trial work and harvest. The role helps ensure our crops and research trials are completed safely, accurately and on time. You'll work with farm machinery, sprayers, implements and specialist trial equipment, alongside the detailed field work and record keeping needed to maintain the integrity of our research. Working closely with the Research Manager – Arable and wider research team, you'll be part of one farm team. Weather, crops and trials don't always follow the plan, so you'll need to be practical, adaptable and comfortable adjusting priorities when conditions change. What we're looking for You'll be someone who enjoys being outdoors, takes pride in looking after machinery and crops, and understands that the small details matter. You're comfortable working independently when required, but equally happy pitching in with the wider team during busy periods. Most importantly, you'll have a strong safety mindset, good practical judgement and the confidence to ask questions when something isn't clear. Your responsibilities will include: · Carrying out seasonal arable operations including cultivation, drilling and sowing, fertiliser application, irrigation, crop agronomy and harvest. · Operating farm machinery, sprayers, implements and other farm and trial equipment safely and efficiently, including calibration, cleaning, servicing and carrying out basic maintenance as required. · Supporting research trials from layout and establishment through to sampling, assessment, harvest and site clean-up. · Safely applying agrichemicals, fertilisers and other crop inputs accurately, maintaining accurate records. · Monitoring crops, soils and field conditions and reporting emerging issues such as pests, disease, weeds, moisture stress or crop damage. · Keeping research sites, workshops, chemical stores, seed and sample areas organised, tidy and safe. · Supporting the wider research and farm team during seasonal peaks. The role combines practical farming with the precision required for research trials, maintaining accurate records of field work, machinery use, crop inputs, samples and observations. Minimum Requirements · Practical experience in arable farming, seed production, machinery operation or a similar field-based role. · Demonstrated ability to safely and competently operate tractors, implements and farm equipment. · A sound understanding of crop production, machinery and safe farm work practices. · Current full New Zealand driver's licence. · Comfortable undertaking physical outdoor work, including…