Cotton Industry Field & Laboratory Internship
About the placement
This internship is with Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) and is facilitated by the CSIRO's Generation STEM Links program.
Focus: External-facing farm and lab activities, with additional exposure to other key areas of the business.
The internship emphasises lab and field work, offering opportunities to:
- Gain hands-on experience with seed quality and compliance assessments in CSD's laboratory
- Collect field data at CSD farms as part of ongoing research and development
- Participate in data analysis and extension activities alongside CSD's technical team
- Contribute to the communication of technical information to industry stakeholders
- Observe and follow all Work Health and Safety (WHS), Environmental, and Quality programs, policies, and procedures in line with CSD's operational standards
- Develop processes, techniques, and ideas to support the adaptation and adoption of research in alignment with the CSD Strategic Plan and Extension Operating Plan
- Build skills in conducting trials, carrying out on-farm and lab-based activities, collecting high-quality data, and producing outputs such as reports or publications for various platforms
- Engage with external stakeholders, regional operations, and interdisciplinary teams across the business
- Visit the production facility as part of gaining a broader understanding of CSD's operations, with the primary focus remaining on field and lab-based learning. Interns will be based in regional areas, offering a unique and valuable opportunity to develop real-world industry experience while connecting with people and nature
Interns will be based in regional areas, offering a unique and valuable opportunity to develop real-world industry experience while connecting with people and nature.
Work arrangements
- Start Date:17 November 2025
- Break Period: Christmas break from 22 December to 12 January
- Duration and Hours: Full-time internship over 10 weeks: 5 weeks prior to Christmas and 5 weeks post-Christmas. Standard hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Remuneration: Casual rate: $31.19 per hour + superannuation
- Location: Cotton Seed Distributors, 2952 Culgoora Rd, Wee Waa, NSW 2390. The CSD team will support the intern in arranging suitable accommodation.
- Work Environment: This is a field- and lab-based role located in a regional area. Interns should be prepared for hot seasonal weather, including extreme heat.
Desired capabilities
- Academic background in agricultural science, agronomy, environmental science, biology, or a related field
- A strong willingness to learn, with flexibility to adapt in a dynamic environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
- A proactive attitude with a strong safety focus and concern for the wellbeing of self and colleagues
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- High attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
- Physical and mental aptitude to perform tasks in field, lab, and regional environments
Requirements
To be eligible for this internship, applicants must:
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Be in the penultimate or final year of an undergraduate degree
- Hold a current driver's licenceBe physically capable of working in hot and sometimes challenging outdoor conditions
- Conduct themselves professionally and in a manner that reflects the ethos and reputation of CSD
- Comply with all CSD policies, procedures, and standards
- Act ethically, responsibly, and be accountable for their actions and decisions
About the industry partner
Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd (CSD) is the sole supplier of elite cotton planting seed to the Australian cotton industry. As a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, CSD is governed by a Board comprising grower-elected members and independent appointed directors, and operates in partnership with both growers and industry stakeholders.
CSD provides Australian growers with high-quality seed, advanced germplasm, seed treatments, and biotechnology traits to support world-leading yield and fibre quality. In collaboration with CSIRO through Cotton Breeding Australia, CSD invests in both strategic and applied research to advance the performance and sustainability of the cotton industry.
CSD's capabilities include:
- A laboratory supporting seed quality, compliance, and research
- A research farm assisting with variety evaluation and seed production research
- An extension team delivering tools, information, and technical support to growers and advisors to optimise cotton systems
With its deep industry focus and commitment to innovation, CSD plays a central role in supporting the continued success of cotton production in Australia.
Apply
If you are interested in this internship, please submit your EOI and CV online through the Student Application webform and please specify CODE0036C
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Cotton Industry Field & Laboratory Internship
About the placement
This internship is with Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) and is facilitated by the CSIRO's Generation STEM Links program.
Focus: External-facing farm and lab activities, with additional exposure to other key areas of the business.
The internship emphasises lab and field work, offering opportunities to:
- Gain hands-on experience with seed quality and compliance assessments in CSD's laboratory
- Collect field data at CSD farms as part of ongoing research and development
- Participate in data analysis and extension activities alongside CSD's technical team
- Contribute to the communication of technical information to industry stakeholders
- Observe and follow all Work Health and Safety (WHS), Environmental, and Quality programs, policies, and procedures in line with CSD's operational standards
- Develop processes, techniques, and ideas to support the adaptation and adoption of research in alignment with the CSD Strategic Plan and Extension Operating Plan
- Build skills in conducting trials, carrying out on-farm and lab-based activities, collecting high-quality data, and producing outputs such as reports or publications for various platforms
- Engage with external stakeholders, regional operations, and interdisciplinary teams across the business
- Visit the production facility as part of gaining a broader understanding of CSD's operations, with the primary focus remaining on field and lab-based learning. Interns will be based in regional areas, offering a unique and valuable opportunity to develop real-world industry experience while connecting with people and nature
Interns will be based in regional areas, offering a unique and valuable opportunity to develop real-world industry experience while connecting with people and nature.
Work arrangements
- Start Date:17 November 2025
- Break Period: Christmas break from 22 December to 12 January
- Duration and Hours: Full-time internship over 10 weeks: 5 weeks prior to Christmas and 5 weeks post-Christmas. Standard hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Remuneration: Casual rate: $31.19 per hour + superannuation
- Location: Cotton Seed Distributors, 2952 Culgoora Rd, Wee Waa, NSW 2390. The CSD team will support the intern in arranging suitable accommodation.
- Work Environment: This is a field- and lab-based role located in a regional area. Interns should be prepared for hot seasonal weather, including extreme heat.
Desired capabilities
- Academic background in agricultural science, agronomy, environmental science, biology, or a related field
- A strong willingness to learn, with flexibility to adapt in a dynamic environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
- A proactive attitude with a strong safety focus and concern for the wellbeing of self and colleagues
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- High attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
- Physical and mental aptitude to perform tasks in field, lab, and regional environments
Requirements
To be eligible for this internship, applicants must:
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Be in the penultimate or final year of an undergraduate degree
- Hold a current driver's licenceBe physically capable of working in hot and sometimes challenging outdoor conditions
- Conduct themselves professionally and in a manner that reflects the ethos and reputation of CSD
- Comply with all CSD policies, procedures, and standards
- Act ethically, responsibly, and be accountable for their actions and decisions
About the industry partner
Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd (CSD) is the sole supplier of elite cotton planting seed to the Australian cotton industry. As a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, CSD is governed by a Board comprising grower-elected members and independent appointed directors, and operates in partnership with both growers and industry stakeholders.
CSD provides Australian growers with high-quality seed, advanced germplasm, seed treatments, and biotechnology traits to support world-leading yield and fibre quality. In collaboration with CSIRO through Cotton Breeding Australia, CSD invests in both strategic and applied research to advance the performance and sustainability of the cotton industry.
CSD's capabilities include:
- A laboratory supporting seed quality, compliance, and research
- A research farm assisting with variety evaluation and seed production research
- An extension team delivering tools, information, and technical support to growers and advisors to optimise cotton systems
With its deep industry focus and commitment to innovation, CSD plays a central role in supporting the continued success of cotton production in Australia.
Apply
If you are interested in this internship, please submit your EOI and CV online through the Student Application webform and please specify CODE0036C
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.