CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Quantitative Ecology - [Archived Advertisement]

The Opportunity

• Do you have a PhD in ecological modelling, quantitative ecology, ecological entomology or plant pathology?
• Are you excited about using your quantitative analytical and modelling skills to generate practical, biosecurity tools and solutions?
• Play an integral role in our newly formed Trusted Agrifood Exports Mission in this exciting postdoctoral role

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years of relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.

This position is an exciting opportunity for an early career, highly motivated research scientist with skills in quantitative analysis and modelling as it relates to biosecurity to join the Program Managing Invasive Species and Diseases of the Health and Biosecurity Business Unit of CSIRO. This multi-disciplinary program undertakes research to reduce the actual and potential economic, environmental and social impacts of national priority pests, weeds and diseases of agriculture and the environment. The position will also play an integral role in CSIRO’s newly formed Trusted Agrifood Exports Mission which aims to boost global export earnings of Australian grown food through tools and technologies that verify our quality, safety and clean and green credentials.

In this role you will be using your quantitative and empirical skills to develop and test new approaches to both support market access and help responses to agricultural biosecurity threats entering Australia. You will also be turning your research into practical tools and solutions by working closely with prospective users. This will involve working collaboratively with industry, regulators and scientists from diverse disciplines, including working closely with data analysts and modellers in Data61. Research will include developing and conducting risk analytics to support the development of phytosanitary systems approaches for market access, optimising pest surveillance and “track and trace” methodologies, and guiding the design and implementation of relevant empirical studies.

You will have the opportunity to build and maintain networks, develop new business, provide scientific leadership and pursue new ideas and approaches that create new concepts and beneficial impacts.

Your duties will include:

• Initiating, and undertaking through to adoption, analyses and modelling to help the agricultural sector develop and maintain market access, and to support biosecurity incursion responses. This will include guiding empirical studies to inform and test modelling activities.
• Maintaining a focus on adoption of Research and Development (R&D).
• Incorporating novel approaches to scientific study by adapting and/or developing original concepts and ideas into existing and future research.
• Under the guidance of senior colleagues, developing and contributing to new, multi-disciplinary research projects, including negotiation and securing of external funding requirements.
• Developing active collaborations with scientists from other disciplines that are working within the Trusted Agrifood Exports Mission. 

Location: Brisbane, QLD or Canberra, ACT
Salary: AU$88k - AU$96k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of 3 years
Reference: 76780

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as ecological modelling, quantitative ecology, ecological entomology or plant pathology. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (full-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Willingness and the ability, when permitted, to travel throughout Australia and internationally, requiring occasional extended trips away from home and occasional weekend work.
• A current and valid Australian drivers’ licence.
• Strong quantitative analytical and statistical skills, combined with an ability to source, interpret and utilise empirical data.
• Interest and ability to turn research into practical tools and solutions by working closely with prospective users. 
• High level skills in scientific computing languages and software (such as R or Python) relevant to the domain questions and data.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

To be eligible to work in CSIRO you must be an Australian or New Zealand Citizen or Australia Permanent Resident.

The successful applicant will be required to obtain and provide a National Police Check or equivalent.

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. 

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications Close

17 October 2021, 11:00pm AEDT