The Position

• Diverse research technician role in plant health biosecurity
• Join CSIRO, Australia’s leading scientific research organisation!
• Work as part of the Insect and Nematode Biosecurity Team 

The CSIRO Insect and Nematode Biosecurity Team works with several CSIRO business units, the Australian Department of Agriculture & Water Resources, state agriculture departments, industry bodies, universities and consultants.   We have a very broad customer focus.

In this role you will:

• Become familiar with and maintain the team’s database on plant health biosecurity diagnostics, so that it can be supplied for the research and delivery activities of the team;
• Assist with obtaining background documents and data for meetings of plant health diagnostics coordinators;
• Obtain information on diagnostic resources (specimen collections, human expertise, and information) required to identify biosecurity pests of national importance for plant health;
• Assist with preparing presentations and reports for diagnosticians;
• Assist with curation of the nematode collection;
• Extract nematodes from various materials and prepare temporary or permanent slides; and
• Take high-quality images in a number of formats, possibly including live, moving animals.

Location: Black Mountain, ACT
Salary: AU $62k – AU $79k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: 3 year term
Reference: 59743

To be successful you will need:

• Relevant Bachelors/Masters Degree &/or equivalent experience in whole animal or field biology or a related field;
• Knowledge or experience in identification or taxonomy or diagnostics of nematodes, insects, other invertebrates and plant pests using different methods;
• The ability to complete detailed work requiring a high degree of concentration to a consistently high standard;
• The ability to collate and summarise data, including interpretation and uncertainty, using an understanding of the project requirement;
• Ability to schedule and complete tasks according to externally-imposed deadlines independently, and work under limited direction for short periods;
• Knowledge or experience related to crop health or biosecurity is desirable as is familiarity with whole-animal biology, taxonomy, biosecurity, nematology and/or entomology;
• Ability and willingness to work with flash photographic equipment and other repeatedly flashing lights;
• Ability and willingness to work with microscopes; and
• Ability and willingness to work under human research ethics conditions including confidentiality.

For details about who to contact and for more information please view Position Description

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you. Balance

About CSIRO

At CSIRO you can be part of helping to solve big, complex problems that make a real difference to our future. We spark off each other, learn from each other, trust each other and collaborate to achieve more than we could individually in a supportive, rewarding, inclusive and truly flexible environment. 

We’re working hard to recruit diverse people and ensure all our people feel supported to do their best work and empowered to let their ideas flourish.

Apply Online

To apply online, please provide a CV, and a cover letter including a summary of your experience related to the selection criteria and your motivation for applying for the role.

Applications Close: January 6, 2019