CSIRO Mission - Ending Plastic Waste - [Archived Advertisement]

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

The Opportunity

CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Mission is a rare opportunity to tackle the greatest plastic pollution challenges through innovative science and technology. 

We need early to mid-career researchers in science and engineering to solve impossible problems and develop innovative research and solutions to solve the global issue of plastic waste. We conduct award winning research on plastic waste and pollution in Australia and beyond, on land and at sea, to help protect ecosystems and wildlife, working with industry and government to change the way we make, use, recycle and dispose of plastics. 

We are responding to national challenges through:   

• Revolutionising packaging and waste systems: recycling, reusing, redesigning and eliminating plastic packaging through better design, materials and logistics. 
• Behaviour change and incentives: generating value for plastics through fundamental changes in human behaviour. 
• Waste innovation: applying circular economy principles to generate effective solutions for plastics recycling and reuse across the supply chain, including niche industry solutions, decision support systems, sustainable textiles, and developing value-added products and feedstock from waste plastics. 
• Supporting best practice and standards: advising on the development and implementation of standards to support business, industry and the public in reusing and recycling plastics, including guidance of recycled plastic content to ensure food security and reduce waste. 
• Information for decision making: applying analytical approaches, AI/ML capabilities and sensor technology to quantify predict hotspots, applying knowledge to inform policy decisions. 

We are working with a range of partners including Murdoch University, Chemistry Australia, Microsoft, New South Wales State Government, City of Hobart, Standards Australia, the Indonesian-Australian Plastics Innovation Lab and the SPath-Australia-India Plastic Waste reduction program. 

For more information on the Ending Plastic Waste Mission go to www.csiro.au/en/about/challenges-missions

To be considered you will need:

You will have either completed a PhD, Master of Science or Master of Engineering in a science, engineering, or research discipline and have three years relevant work experience. Or, you will have completed a PhD, Master of Science or Master of Engineering qualification within the last three years, or will have a doctoral or master thesis submitted prior to commencement with CSIRO.   

For Master of Science or Master of Engineering graduates you must also have equivalent levels of original and significant contributions to research and development to that expected of a new PhD graduate.  

Your qualifications are essential for the current opportunities, but we are also looking for more unique skills to bring new ways of thinking, problem solving and leadership to contribute to CSIRO Missions and culture.  

How we deliver progress and change is important.  

An ability to recognise and exploit opportunities to carry out original, creative, and innovative research is essential. Your design thinking and  desire to generate impact will drive creativity, innovation and evolve our approach to unlocking a better future for everyone.  By thinking beyond specific research projects to apply individual knowledge, skills, and expertise you will contribute to and support the national innovation system.  Leveraging a broad network and relationships within national, global, trans-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder environments?and collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, you will challenge current approaches and develop future research.   

If you are seeking purpose, want to lead with vision and contribute to new research insights and future innovations, CSIRO could be the opportunity to connect with other like minds, as a trusted advisor building shared meaning and purpose.  

Location: Capital city and regional locations 
Salary: AU$87,068k – AU$111,165 plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: 3-year term 
Reference: 84141

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to all eligible candidates.  Appointment to this role is subject to 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. 

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Work history and qualifications are only one part of your story. We want to know what motivates you to join us and how we can support you to realise your promise and potential. The questions below will help us understand what you are looking for and should be included in a cover letter to show us why ending plastic waste would be impossible without you.  

1. How will your research align with CSIRO Missions and commitment to solving science’s greatest challenges?  
2. What are your unique attributes and skills which will contribute to unlocking a better world for everyone?  
3. What culture and research environment will help you reach your potential and what do you need from CSIRO to help you get there? 
4. Please provide a summary of your technical skills. 

Applications Close

19 June 2022, 11:00pm AEST/AEDT