Research Projects Officer (Data Science & Biosecurity)

Acknowledgement of Country

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The opportunity

• Hands-on role handling biological datasets on a desktop alongside lab/ greenhouse/field-based work
• Great ongoing role engaging with dispersedly located multi-disciplinary scientists delivering impactful projects
• Grow your research career with CSIRO – Australia’s National Science Agency!

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is Australia’s national science agency and innovation catalyst. Our purpose is to work with industry, government, and the community to turn science into solutions to address Australia’s greatest challenges, including food security and quality; clean energy and resources; health and wellbeing; resilient and valuable environments; innovative industries; and a secure Australia and region.

CSIRO's Health & Biosecurity Business (H&B) Unit addresses the complexity and interdependencies of human, animal and environmental health and biosecurity challenges across Australia and the world. H&B's portfolio of work drives impact through three key impact areas: Increasing Australia’s preparedness and responsiveness to health and biosecurity threats; Accelerating the technologically and digitally driven transformation of Australia’s healthcare and biosecurity systems; and improving the health and wellbeing of all Australians.

This is an exciting opportunity for you to be a part of the Environment Biosecurity Group, contributing to developing and optimising innovative data analysis tools and platforms, often through experimentation, to enable improved biosecurity outcomes. This will be a hands-on role suitable for a proactive, curious biologist, ecologist, entomologist, or plant pathologist who enjoys handling biological datasets on the desktop and is comfortable developing and improving protocols in laboratory, glasshouse, and/or field settings.

Your duties will include:

• Undertake biologically grounded data processing and analyses, troubleshooting and optimisation.
• Maintenance of laboratory colonies (of insects, phytopathogens, plants)
• Develop methodologies for data capture in the field/ glasshouse/ lab to ensure record-keeping in done in a structured manner. 
• Conduct literature reviews, investigations and inspections.
• Participate in the identification and definition of research and/or technological problems with colleagues.
• Liaise with clients to determine their needs and take personal responsibility for their satisfaction.
• Participate in planning projects and accept responsibility for scheduling and completion of major parts of the project.

Location: Perth, Canberra, or Brisbane

Salary: AU$93k - AU$105k plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Indefinite / Full-time

Reference: 95833

To be considered you will need:

Essential

• Relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant work experience in biology, ecology, entomology, plant pathology, or agrisciences.
• Demonstrated experience in laboratory, glasshouse, and field-based work.
• Previous experience in handling biological datasets, including data standardisation, zero-inflated data, and record absences.
• Proven experience developing scripts and coding for data analyses (R, Python).
• Previous experience in the field of biosecurity.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team under the general direction of project leaders and team leaders.

Desirable

• Previous experience in classical biological control systems
• Previous experience or interest in bioinformatics
• Previous experience or interest in working with geospatial datasets.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to all candidates – Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents, or candidates who either hold, or are able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term (visa sponsorship and relocation assistance may be provided to the successful candidate if required).

Appointment to this role is subject to the provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible working arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

Please apply online, and provide a CV and a detailed cover letter, responding to each of the selection criteria in detail, that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please attach your selection criteria responses to your cover letter as one document.

Applications close

17 November 2024, 11:00pm AEDT