Research Projects Officer - CSIRO - ResearchCareer

First listed on: 23 June 2022

Research Projects Officer

 

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

  • Key Projects support role in the Werribee-based Food Innovations team
  • Make an impact in the future of food science technology
  • Work with CSIRO to deliver world-class research for industry, government, and the community

Research Projects staff in CSIRO 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.
The role of the Food Technologist in CSIRO will be to collaborate with other Scientists, Engineers and Food Processing staff in innovative research leading to commercial; and scientific achievements, which are aligned with CSIRO's strategies. 

In this role you will be engaged in hands-on project activities of CSIRO’s Food Innovation Centre which involves both close-to-market research for local and international food manufacturing industry clients as well as more strategic research projects within the laboratory setting. The ideal candidate will have a strong desire to catalyse the plant-based food products sector addressing health and wellbeing and sustainable processing.  

To succeed in this position, you will lead or contribute to projects or project activities and work with world-class scientists and engineers to develop safe and novel foods, ingredients and beverages for the Australian food industry and global consumers.

Your duties will include:

  • Working under the general direction and guidance of Research/Process Engineers and/or Project Leaders.
  • Taking responsibility for the efficient allocation of activities including planning, resource management, scheduling, and accept responsibility for the scheduling and completion of major parts of projects, including allocating and directing tasks where appropriate.
  • Providing direction on the operation, modification, design and fabrication of equipment and food processes at laboratory and pilot scale.
  • Providing expertise in the characterisation of composition and functionality of protein and carbohydrate foods or food ingredients.
  • Incorporating novel ideas and approaches in investigations by adapting and/or developing original concepts and ideas for new, existing, and future research. 
  • Providing coaching and on-the-job training to technical staff and students to ensure experiments are established in accordance with research design. 
  • Adhering to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Values, Health, Safety and Environment plans and policies, Diversity initiatives and Zero Harm goals. 
  • Other duties as directed, while personal initiative and proactive behaviours for a collective leadership culture are expected.

Location:  Werribee, VIC
Salary:  AU$87,068 -$98,504 per annum + up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:  Specified term of 3 years, Full-time
Reference:  85209

To be considered you will need:

Essential

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

  • A bachelor’s degree in food science, technology, engineering, or a related field (e.g., food chemistry, food processing engineering, food materials science) plus at least six years relevant professional experience in food research and development, including postgraduate research or food industry experience.                                                                                                                                                    
  • Proven ability to contribute to the development of new food products from a variety of food materials (including carbohydrates and proteins) at laboratory scale or at pilot scale.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate and maintain complex laboratory equipment including food unit operations aimed at size reduction, separation, extraction, evaporation, drying or others.
  • Proven ability to measure composition and quality attributes of food ingredients and food products and to attribute the measured features to product formulation or processing.
  • Ability and aptitude to proactively contribute novel ideas and approaches in support of scientific and engineering investigations in food technology and to plan and execute multi-disciplinary experimental plans at laboratory or pilot scale with attention to detail and to drive experiments forward.
  • Proven ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team, and carry out independent individual activities, to achieve organisational goals under general inputs and/or direction from senior researchers. 
  • Demonstrated ability to manage own work priorities and assume responsibility for execution, scheduling, planning and completion of a range of research and development projects with demonstrated can-do attitude.
  • Willing and able to work in a food processing environment as required.
  • Well-developed written and oral communication skills and proven ability to contribute to project proposals, funding applications, technical project reports or research/technical papers. Ability to present project proposals and results to clients and negotiate approaches and project deliverables. 
  • Demonstrated can-do mindset to facilitate respect, collaboration, support, inclusiveness, and accountability in the workplace. Remain productive, positive and resilient in complex, ambiguous and/or uncertain environments. 

Desirable:

  • Demonstrated skills in the areas of food formulation, safety or processing including selection of appropriate ingredients, unit operations and upscaling from laboratory to pilot scale.
  • Experience in the manufacture of plant-based foods, as well as food products such as dairy, meat, snacks or beverages and providing subject matter expertise to projects.
  • A record of developing innovative ideas and solutions, communicating those into context and implementing them as agreed with stakeholders.  

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

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens, 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. 

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

Sunday 3rd July 2022, 11:00pm AEST.