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

• Are you an enthusiastic individual looking to lead and mentor, while conducting innovative research?
• Play a key role in the CSIRO Mineral Processing Program
• Contribute to unlocking critical minerals supply for Australia and the world

Background 

CSIRO Mineral Resources (CMR) is one of the largest minerals research and development groups globally, with a proud track record in delivering innovation and solutions across the mineral resources value chain. We thrive on innovation harnessed by the diversity of the minds and lived experiences of our team and apply our expert knowledge and specialised research to provide innovation that solves the complex problems faced by minerals companies, mining equipment, technology, and services (METS) companies, government, and other industry stakeholders.
CMR’s Mineral Processing Program is one of the largest mineral processing R&D programs in the world, with ~100 employees, and a long and proud history of undertaking world class R&D with a very strong focus on industrial innovation via technological commercialisation.

Role Overview 

As a Senior Research Scientist/ Engineer, you will conduct innovative research aligned with Program strategy in hydrometallurgy-based mineral processing, including critical mineral processing. Working closely with existing staff, you will engage in scientific activity ranging from fundamental research to the investigation of specific industry challenges. You will play a lead role in providing scientific leadership and pursuing new ideas and approaches with the intent to improve existing and create new commercial opportunities for mineral processing. In particular, you will also leverage your status as a researcher (publications, citations, postgraduate completions and existing academic/research network) to deliver growth in postdoctoral fellows actively engaged in hydrometallurgical research relevant to critical minerals (e.g. lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, high purity alumina) through pathways internal and external to CSIRO.

Your duties will include:

• Leverage your status as a prolific researcher (publications, citations, postgraduate completions and existing academic/research network) to deliver growth in postdoctoral fellows actively engaged in hydrometallurgical research relevant to critical minerals.
• Undertake leading edge, hydrometallurgy-based, scientific research and maintain active research collaborations to access/share leading edge concepts and technology to thereby advance project goals.
• Develop and apply knowledge of other scientific disciplines.
• Develop challenging but realistic research plans and negotiate resource requirements with research managers or clients.
• Take responsibility for smaller research projects or elements of larger projects within and/or across Business Units.
• Lead and supervise staff to ensure experiments are established in accordance with the research design and are completed within the agreed timeframes and budget.
• Work collaboratively with others and adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Values, Code of Conduct, Health, Safety and Environment procedures and policy, Diversity initiatives and Zero Harm goals.
• Maintain active national and/or international research collaborations in order to access/share leading edge concepts and technology to advance projects.
• Other duties as directed

Location: Waterford, Perth, WA
Salary:  AU$120k to AU$140k pa + up to 15.4% super
Tenure:  Indefinite
Reference:  90355

To be considered you will need:

1. A PhD (or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience) in a field relevant to hydrometallurgy, such as chemistry or chemical engineering.
2. Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems in the hydrometallurgical space.
3. Excellent mineral industry and innovation ecosystem networks.
4. Demonstrated ability to secure and mentor a team of talented postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students, along with existing early career researchers.
5. Be recognised by your peers as making a significant contribution in their field of science or engineering.
6. A demonstrated strong history of authorship on scientific papers in peer reviewed journals and/or reports, grant applications or inventorship on patent applications.

Desirable

1. Experience working within (or closely associated with) the minerals industry in any R&D or innovation leadership role.
2. Direct relevant experience with the science and/or production of critical minerals.
3. Have a track record of translating scientific outcomes into commercial impact.
4. Experience with establishing and maintaining domestic and international partnerships with industrial and academic institutions.
5. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate at the intersection of disciplines.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or you must either hold, or be able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term (sponsorship may be provided to 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.

To enter a CSIRO site, CSIRO will require you to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (or show a valid medical exemption from vaccination). If you are unable to meet this requirement, then you must return a negative result on a Rapid Antigen Test (within 48 hours prior to attending site) and wear a face mask whilst on the CSIRO site. These requirements apply if you are attending a CSIRO site as part of a recruitment process.

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

27 November 2022, 11:00pm AEDT