James Cook University (JCU) is creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally and globally. We now have an exciting opportunity for a Research Officer, Software Developer and Machine Learning Engineer to join our team at the College of Science and Engineering in the Academy Division.

• Full-time and fixed-term to 30 April 2027
• Located at the Townsville Bebegu Yumba campus in Tropical North Queensland
• ACAD Level A $80,371 - $107,395 p.a. + super and other benefits.

About the College of Science and Engineering

The College of Science and Engineering is a comprehensive provider of world class research and undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a range of science, technology and engineering disciplines. As part of theAcademy, the College of Science and Engineering promotes, supports and administers quality teaching, hands-on experiences, industry placements and research at JCU in the areas of Marine Biology & Aquaculture, Zoology and Ecology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Information Technology, Physical Sciences Engineering and Veterinary Science. We are recognised globally for our excellence in research and we strive to ensure that we bring research directly into our classrooms. Our diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs are united by a commitment to excellent teaching, experiential learning opportunities utilising our world class infrastructure and natural laboratories, and a commitment to diversity and respect for difference. Our postgraduate courses offer professionals opportunities to develop their abilities and advance their careers and our PhD program has launched a thousand research careers.

About the opportunity

The Research Officer supports the development and deployment of Sugar-AI, a cloud-based platform for detecting Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD) in sugarcane using multispectral remote sensing and machine learning. The Research Officer will apply expertise in computer vision, deep learning, and Python-based ML frameworks to advance the platform from alpha to a validated beta prototype. Working within the JCU research environment and alongside industry partners (HCPSL, BPS, and SRA), the role spans ML model development, cloud-based software delivery, frontend development, and multi-region field trial validation.

What you can bring to the role

• A degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Data Science, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks including PyTorch, Hugging Face, and Scikit-learn.
• Practical experience with machine and deep learning architectures for classification, detection, or segmentation tasks.
• Experience developing and evaluating ML/AI models with documented performance metrics.
• Ability to manage and process large datasets and run experiments on HPC infrastructure (GPU clusters, SLURM).
• Strong written communication skills for technical documentation, reporting, and research outputs.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multi-stakeholder research and industry environment.
• Experience developing and evaluating Vision Language Models with documented performance metrics.

Shape your future with JCU

At JCU we're not just shaping minds; we're shaping the future. As Australia's only university established to focus on the issues of Northern Australia and the Tropics worldwide, JCU is dedicated to helping the world's tropical regions to prosper. With our main campuses located in the vibrant and diverse tropics of Northern Queensland, JCU is at the forefront of research and education in some of the world's most critical areas, including marine biology, environmental science, tropical and rural health, and more.

Why JCU?

JCU offers a culturally diverse working environment with opportunities for professional and personal growth. Employee wellbeing is at the core of our values, and we support our people through the provision of flexible working conditions and many other benefits including;

• A generous superannuation scheme with up to 17% employer contributions with UniSuper
• 5 weeks of annual recreation leave and 15 days of paid sick/personal/carers leave per year
• Cultural leave and Flexible working options
• Attractive options for salary packaging
• Fitness Passport
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional development support
• Well-equipped campus facilities including medical, cafes and sporting fitness.

How to Apply and Contact Details

Are you ready to make a difference? Join us at JCU, where your future meets the tropics. Click the 'apply' button to be redirected to theJCU careers pageand follow the below steps:

• Complete the application form
• Upload your current resume
• Upload a cover letter outlining your relevant experience in relation to the key requirements of the role and how your skills and experience will ensure your success in the role.
• Upload a separate document in response to the selection criteria as specified in the duty descriptor.

Applications close on 29 April 2026.

About our Process

At JCU, we are committed to employing individuals who meet the requirements of the role and align with our values. All applicants will be contacted and advised of an outcome once the recruitment process is finalised. Please visit ourInformation Privacy Policyto understand how your information is collected, stored, accessed and used.

What matters to us at JCU?

Our People – Our staff, students, and the communities we serve

Our Education – Knowledge has the power to change lives

Our Place – the Tropics and beyond

Our Research – a catalyst for innovation and knowledge generation

James Cook University encourages people from all backgrounds who meet role requirements to apply. We value and celebrate the diversity of our community and are committed to ensuring our learning and working environment is safe and welcoming.