Dr Jess Hyles

Jess joined CSIRO in 2002 as a laboratory technician, working in wheat breeding to adopt new technologies like robotics to make plant breeding more efficient.

While working in the lab, Jess completed a Master of Agriculture at the University of Sydney. Two years and two children later, Jess’s focus changed again.

“It quickly switched to my family. This was the most important thing. But it was great that I could work part-time at CSIRO. Those years were a good balance of being able to work, but also taking time to look after family,” she explains.

Ten years later, with children in primary school, there was another shift.

“I guess I started to think that I had the headspace to focus more on science, so I decided the time was right to start a PhD.”

At the same time, Jess became a Team Leader, and noticing there weren’t many female leaders in science, Jess became a lead for Inclusion and Diversity.

“I set myself a challenge. To see if a mum of two, with a busy life as a partner in a farm business, could do a PhD and have a successful career at the same time.”

“Without some wonderful people around me, none of it would not have been possible. I’m so grateful for amazing support during this time. I also learnt probably the most important lesson in science, that you can’t do it alone!”

Having recently completed her PhD, Jess has a new role as Group Leader of Cotton Biotechnology, Agriculture & Food.

“Every day I get to do the science I love and work with the amazing team at CSIRO who are just as passionate about future crops for Australia,” she says.