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

Child Safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

The Opportunity

• Apply your expertise in Building Physics to lead a major research project
• Rare opportunity to drive improvements in the Australian built environment 
• Join CSIRO Energy and make a difference!

The role of Research Project staff in CSIRO is to collaborate in scientific and technological activities with other research staff usually by assisting with detailed planning, undertaking or assisting with experimental, observational or technology development work, and in carrying out the more practical aspects of the work. At senior levels, Research Projects staff may be involved in providing consulting services, science and technology management and/or industry liaison.

CSIRO has a 60+ year history of developing modelling software for rating the energy efficiency of residential buildings under the NatHERS Scheme. NatHERS-accredited software has been developed to calculate the theoretical annual heating and cooling energy load in a house.

This position will lead a major research project seeking to understand how closely the assumptions made by the current NatHERS match with real world outcomes in apartment buildings. The project will validate whether current NatHERS settings are reasonable reflections of how people behave in apartments and will evaluate the use of NatHERS in apartments. A total of around 400 apartments across Australia will be recruited, their energy use monitored, and the occupants surveyed periodically. 

The successful applicant will have a good understanding of residential energy use, the NatHERS scheme and modelling software, and most importantly, will be excited to manage a project of this scale and complexity from project design, through procurement, stakeholder management, and data collection to report writing and publication. 

Your duties will include:

• Apply specialist expertise to solve complex problems within a discipline or across a diverse range of projects. 
• Be responsible for activities such as developing and delivering novel technologies, developing and implementing project plans, analysing, validating and reporting results within the constraints of various project plans.
• Extend existing scientific knowledge of experimental design or digital experiences via achievements which facilitate the development of new perspectives in a field, or fields of, research and/or technology.
• Initiate projects in consultation with clients or CSIRO project teams and secure necessary resources; lead or coordinate CSIRO’s contribution to collaborative projects involving other organisations.
• Be accountable for the quality of the results delivered, the alignment of the project activities with the business, research and/or technology directions.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team to carry out tasks in support of CSIRO’s scientific objectives.
• Support CSIRO’s NatHERS workplan including the training, mentoring, PhD supervision and other support of future building sustainability researchers and leaders.
• Other duties as directed.

Location: Clayton, VIC preferred. Newcastle, NSW may be considered. 
Salary: AU$121,455 - AU$142,321 per annum) plus up to 15.4% superannuation.
Tenure: Specified term of 3 years / Full-time
Reference: 92716

To be considered you will need:

Essential
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.

• A postgraduate qualification in building/architecture/engineering/building science or similar.
• A history of peer-reviewed publications.
• A detailed understanding of energy modelling and modelling tools for residential buildings.
• Fieldwork experience monitoring the energy consumption of buildings. 
• A demonstrated ability to compile and analyse large energy consumption datasets and produce clear and concise reports.
• A clear understanding of the Australian residential built environment including construction techniques, regulatory frameworks, energy efficiency regulations and major stakeholders.

Desirable

• Social science experience, particularly survey design and implementation.
• Understanding of contemporary energy monitoring equipment and services. 
• Basic programming skills related to the fieldwork (Raspberry Pi).

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

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian and New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents only. 

 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. 

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

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs, whether we are undertaking research, engaging with the public or nurturing future scientists in person or online. Source – CSIRO Child Safe policy 2023

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

Tuesday 13th June 2023, 11PM AEDT.