Senior Plant Pathologist – Biosecurity Surveillance & Diagnostics

Senior Plant Pathologist – Biosecurity | Darwin
Plant Pathology | Biosecurity Surveillance & Diagnostics | Northern Australia

• Contract to 30 June 2027 + possible 6 month extension

• Rate: $82.07 to $88.82 per hour + Super

• Security Clearance: You must be an Australian Citizen, with a Baseline clearance

Booka Consulting is seeking an experienced Plant Pathologist to support an important Australian Government plant health and biosecurity program based in Darwin.
This is an unusual opportunity for a plant pathology specialist who enjoys combining laboratory diagnostics with field-based science. The role supports the early detection and identification of plant pathogens through diagnostic testing, plant health surveillance and field investigations across northern Australia.

About Booka
Booka is an Indigenous-owned, Supply Nation registered Australian business providing specialist people, technology and professional services to Australian Government and industry.
We are committed to creating meaningful opportunities and building diverse, inclusive teams. This role is open to all suitably qualified applicants, and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.

The opportunity
Working within a multidisciplinary plant health team, you will contribute directly to Australia's biosecurity capability through a combination of scientific diagnostics, surveillance and field operations.
Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing specialist plant pathology diagnostic services supporting plant health early-detection surveillance.

• Conducting diagnostic testing and identification of plant pathogens in accordance with laboratory procedures, quality standards and biosecurity requirements.

• Participating in plant health surveys and field investigations across northern Australia.

• Collecting, handling and processing plant samples for diagnostic examination.

• Supporting the capture, management, analysis and reporting of plant health surveillance and diagnostic information.

• Contributing to survey planning alongside specialists including entomologists and botanists.

• Communicating scientific findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Working with stakeholders including Indigenous Rangers, Traditional Owners, landholders, growers and operational partners.

Field deployments may occur across the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia, including deployments of up to two weeks at a time.

About you
We are looking for someone with demonstrated:

• Qualifications and professional experience relevant to plant pathology.

• Experience in plant pathogen diagnostics and identification.

• Experience undertaking or supporting plant health surveillance.

• Experience managing, analysing and reporting scientific or plant health data.

• Ability to operate effectively across laboratory, field and office environments.

• Strong scientific communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Ability to work both independently and within multidisciplinary teams.

Experience working within northern Australian plant health, agriculture, biosecurity or environmental surveillance environments will be particularly well regarded.

You must also:

• Hold a current manual driver's licence and be capable of driving a 4WD vehicle.

• Hold a current Apply First Aid Certificate or be willing and able to obtain one.

• Be comfortable working periodically in remote and challenging field environments.

• Be available for occasional out-of-hours and weekend work associated with field surveillance activities.

Security clearance
Applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Baseline security clearance.
Candidates who already hold a current Baseline security clearance will be particularly well placed, as a valid clearance is required before access can be provided to relevant Government buildings, systems, information and assets.

Location and engagement: Darwin, Northern Territory

• Full-time – 37.5 hours per week

• Initial engagement of approximately 26 weeks

• 6-month extension option

• Field activities across northern Australia

• Flexible working arrangements of up to one day per week remotely may be available, subject to operational requirements

• Transport, accommodation and required equipment associated with approved field deployments are provided in accordance with the engagement arrangements

Why this role?
This is not a conventional laboratory-only plant pathology position.
You will have the opportunity to take your scientific expertise into the field and contribute directly to the early detection of plant health threats and Australia's frontline biosecurity capability.
For someone passionate about plant pathology, diagnostics and field science, it offers a rare combination of meaningful scientific work, northern Australian field experience and genuine national impact.
Interested?

Apply with your current CV outlining your experience in plant pathology, diagnostics, surveillance and field-based scientific work, together with details of your current Australian Government security clearance status.

Booka Consulting welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.