Senior Scientist – Forage and Farm Systems

Passion, integrity, and a genuine desire to do our best for farmers is what drives us at Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).  We are 100% farmer funded and work on behalf of New Zealand’s sheep and beef producers. Our vision is for thriving sheep and beef farmers, now and into the future.  Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s investments play a critical role in underpinning New Zealand’s second biggest export sector.

Help shape the future of New Zealand sheep and beef farming

Are you a scientist who wants to see your work make a real difference on-farm? Do you thrive at the intersection of science, farming, and real-world impact?

We’re looking for a Senior Scientist – Forage and Farm Systems to lead high-impact research and turn it into practical solutions that improve the productivity, resilience, and sustainability of sheep and beef farming in New Zealand.

About the role

This is not a purely academic role. You’ll lead and deliver applied research that is grounded in real farm systems and focused on outcomes farmers can use.  This role will work across several research projects either leading and delivering work or working directly with others contracted to deliver the work.  This role is fixed term until December 2030.   

You will:

• Lead and deliver research aligned to forage and farm systems for sheep and beef across several areas (e.g. Resilient Pastures Programme with DairyNZ, Animal health challenges, AgYields and ForageMaster)
• Translate science into practical tools, guidance, and decision-support systems
• Work closely with farmers to co-design and test solutions on-farm
• Ensure research delivers measurable improvements in farm performance, resilience, and risk management
• Champion the sheep and beef perspective across cross-sector collaborations

This role is all about bridging the gap between science and practice.

About you

You’re a credible, practical scientist who understands farming systems—not just theory.

You’ll bring:

• Strong applied knowledge of forage, pasture, and sheep & beef systems
• A deep understanding of how soil, pasture, and livestock interact
• Experience working directly with farmers and solving real-world challenges
• The ability to translate complex science into simple, usable insights
• A track record of delivering outcomes beyond publications (e.g. adoption, practice change)

Experience & qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in agriculture, animal science, agronomy, or similar (preferred)
• ~7+ years’ experience in applied research, extension, or farm systems
• Experience in:
  • On-farm trials or field research
  • Developing or applying tools/models
  • Delivering programmes with measurable impact

Ideally based in the North Island due to travel for Resilient Pastures Programme. 

What we offer

This career move builds your expertise in a field that contributes to one of New Zealand’s most important export industries, and the New Zealand economy.  We offer a competitive remuneration and excellent employee benefits including additional leave entitlements, a fully-subsidised life insurance policy, and a work culture that values and rewards passion, integrity, professionalism and strong workplace relationships based on respect and whānau.  

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Applications close 12noon, Wednesday 1 July