This project will recruit and develop research capacity within the state department (DAFQ) to increase the level of R&D capacity within the northern grains region. . This will be undertaken in a partnership between DAFQ and GRDC to appoint up to 11 positions over a four-year period on three-year terms. The project is designed to build new research capacity in priority areas and as a means of a succession plan for the retirement of existing key researchers. Priority research areas include a summer crop and winter cereal pathologist, a soil nutrition researcher, farming systems and cereal agronomy, pulse entomology, weeds sciences, biometry and food technologist.