Experimental Scientist, Mass Standards - Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources - EngineeringCareer

First listed on: 14 June 2022

Experimental Scientist, Mass Standards

 

About the National Measurement Institute (NMI)
We are the Australian Government’s national authority on measurement. We play an important role in the Australian economy by leading, maintaining and regulating Australia’s measurement system. We deliver world-class measurement products, advice and client services and administer the regulatory framework for measurement. Our national measurement standards are recognised internationally and we work to enhance and maintain these standards.

We value the different skills, knowledge and perspectives our employees bring. We’re committed to giving everyone an equal opportunity to participate, contribute and progress. Our values and behaviours centre on being, adaptable, innovative, accountable, strategic, inclusive and influential.

About the team
The Physical Metrology Branch leads the development, maintenance and dissemination of Australia’s peak physical measurement standards. We provide the traceability assurance that measurements made in Australia are accepted internationally. The branch is an active participant in international measurement forums. Through the delivery of a range of calibrations and other measurement services branch staff share their expertise with Australian and international stakeholders. This includes to support research, process improvements, product optimisation and better measurement practice across the economic landscape.

The Mass and Density Standards team maintains Australia’s primary standards, providing Australia’s highest level calibration services spanning the range from milligrams to tonnes. This supports calibration and testing laboratories and key users in advanced manufacturing, biomedical, defence and aerospace across Australia. The team develops and validates new primary standards and automated calibration systems, to ensure Australia’s capabilities remain internationally competitive. Current projects include the development of a new facility for density measurement, the use of radiation force as a laser power standard, and research into potential development of an electrostatic force balance for improved measurement of sub-milligram.

Our ideal candidate
You are an experimental scientist with strong practical, analytical and collaborative skills. You want to develop new skills and enjoy troubleshooting and problem solving. You thrive on identifying and implementing innovative solutions and system improvements and aspire to become the recognised national expert in mass metrology.

Our ideal candidate will:

  • Have the ability to work independently and deliver client-focussed outcomes, adapting to evolving needs and when under pressure.
  • Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with external stakeholders. Influence in complex and diverse situations, and actively develop relationships both within the team and with external stakeholders.
  • Have excellent written and spoken communicate skills. Form meaningful relationships with other NMI expert teams.
  • Seek out diverse views, encouraging input from stakeholders to present credible, evidence based and influential recommendations.
  • Have a flair for using the full range of your technical skills to identify and solve complex problems and to critically analyse and model complex systems.
  • Have practical electronic and mechanical skills with experience in instrumentation and control software, such as LabVIEW.
  • Lead by example, demonstrate behaviours consistent with NMI’s values of being adaptable, accountable, inclusive, strategic, influential and innovative and support others to do the same.

Familiarity with the operating principles and limitations of a range of relevant measurement instrumentation would be desirable.

What you will do
Working alongside Australia’s national experts you will develop and refine your skills. As an Experimental Scientist, you will:

  • Maintain and develop Australia’s primary standards for mass.
  • Deliver timely, high-quality mass calibrations under an ISO-17025 quality system to the highest levels of accuracy achievable internationally.
  • Identify emerging trends in mass metrology through development of relationships with other NMI teams and with the research community through outreach, research collaborations and consultancies.
  • Use your technical skills to contribute both to the design and development of new standards facilities. You will use these skills to contribute to the maintenance and efficiency improvements of existing systems, such as NMI’s solid-density-apparatus, micro-flow standards, density and surface tension facilities.
  • Contribute to the ongoing research activities of the team to develop and validate new experimental techniques, e.g. using radiation force methods to establish new high-power laser standards, and explore the potential use of electrostatic force techniques to improve mass measurement in the sub-milligram range.
  • Assist in the development and delivery of training courses in precision mass metrology.
  • You will be supported by NMI to become the leading technical expert and have opportunities to:
  • Develop a comprehensive knowledge of mass measurement and of the operation, design and limitations of relevant modern commercial and research equipment.
  • Gain familiarity with the build-up build-down traceability to Australia’s primary kilogram and the calculation and propagation of measurement uncertainty in mass metrology.
  • Represent NMI and Australia on national and international technical and standards committees.
  • Identify opportunities to collaborate with other expert NMI teams and external stakeholders to integrate the latest technical innovations in quantum, optical and electrical standards into the next generation of NMI’s measurement capabilities.

Applications close: Sunday July 10, 2022