Testing Research Associate

About the role

As a Testing Research Associate, you'll play a hands-on role in advancing our vegetable testing pipeline through high-quality field and protected culture research. Working within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team of breeders, horticultural scientists, data scientists, and growers, you'll plan and execute trials, manage crops, collect and analyse data, and generate insights that support product development and commercial decisions.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys combining practical field-based research with data analysis and problem-solving, while working with global teams to influence the future of vegetable crop development.

Role Responsibilities

• Plan and execute field and protected culture (greenhouse) trials across vegetable crops, primarily onions and spinach, with exposure to additional crops as required
• Collect, manage, validate, and analyse high-quality trial data using digital tools, internal systems, and mobile technologies
• Apply agronomic practices, crop management expertise, and trial data to support breeding decisions and pipeline advancement
• Contribute to the development, execution, and continuous improvement of testing plans and trial protocols aligned to business objectives
• Collaborate with breeding, R&D, commercial, and market development teams to deliver trial objectives and product advancement goals
• Operate, maintain, and support the calibration of research equipment while ensuring quality, stewardship, and compliance requirements are met
• Build and maintain strong relationships with growers, external partners, and other stakeholders to ensure successful trial execution and data integrity
• Translate trial results into meaningful insights, recommendations, and agronomic knowledge to support breeding and commercial decisions
• Collaborate with local and international stakeholders across New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and North America
• Explore and adopt new technologies, tools, and processes to improve research efficiency, capacity, data quality, and compliance with quality, stewardship, and safety standards.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in Plant Science, Horticulture, Agronomy, Biology, or a related field
• Experience in crop management, field trials, agricultural research, or commercial crop production, ideally within a vegetable production environment
• Strong trial planning, data collection, data management, and analytical skills, with the ability to generate actionable insights from complex datasets
• Experience using digital technologies, mobile devices, and data systems to support research activities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build relationships across teams, growers, external partners, and international stakeholders
• Strong project planning and organisational skills, with the ability to work autonomously, make informed decisions, and manage competing priorities
• Ability to work in a hands-on outdoor environment and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative team setting
• Flexibility to travel regularly throughout New Zealand and Australia (approximately 30–40%), and hold a current driver's licence

Please note: This position requires unrestricted work rights in Australia and is therefore open to New Zealand citizens only.

Be part of something bigger 

At Bayer, we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all, Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity, and sheer dedication, always learning from the unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities, and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

Be you @ Bayer

We are committed to creating a culture where people can be their best, in an environment that values inclusion, diversity and flexibility. At Bayer everyone belongs, regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or gender identity.

We encourage First Nations people to apply.  We also welcome applicants with diverse educational backgrounds, professional knowledge, personality types, thinking styles and life experiences.  If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to please let us know. 

At Bayer we support your career.  Ready to join our team? Click Apply. For more information about this role and the innovative suite of benefits on offer, get in contact with our Talent Acquisition Team via jobs.anz@bayer.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

Recruitment agencies please note that this position will be managed via our in-house Talent Acquisition Team.  Bayer does not accept any unsolicited resumes.