Principal Research Scientist - Farm of the Future - CSIRO - ResearchCareer

First listed on: 17 July 2022

Principal Research Scientist - Farm of the Future

 

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

  • Lead the portfolio that explores and addresses challenges of productive and sustainable farming systems of the future 
  • Bring your expertise in farming systems science 
  • Join CSIRO Agriculture and Food and make a difference!

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is one of the world’s largest and most successful publicly funded research and development organisations that delivers world-class science and outcome-focused research that generates economic, environmental, and social benefits for Australia in a global context.
Agriculture and Food (A&F) is CSIRO’s largest research business unit (BU).  We apply world class multidisciplinary science, technology and facilities, IP and global networks across the value chain to create healthier, trusted, safer and more sustainable food and fibre for the future. 

CSIRO is seeking a senior scientist to develop and lead a science portfolio that explores and addresses challenges of productive and sustainable farming systems of the future. We are looking for a creative scientist that can develop a vision for the opportunities and challenges that might be facing agricultural production in 2050. This role will develop the strategic roadmap and connect and build a portfolio of science across CSIRO that will begin to deliver scientific outcomes and industry impacts to enable different approaches productive landscapes.

Your duties will include:

  • Define and articulate the science strategy of farm of the future related to mixed crop and livestock systems at landscape scales. 
  • Catalyse science thinking by aligning a multi-disciplinary network to expand initial exploration of novel livestock farming systems and drive innovations in nutrient management that build farm profitability and sustainability. 
  • Build appropriate science capability within CSIRO and with key partners applicable to mixed livestock systems. 
  • Set project goals within the Business Unit’s research direction and manage the delivery of project outcomes.
  • Progress complex, sensitive or contentious research matters to finality. 
  • Generate debate about unpopular issues and liaise with concerned parties to develop solutions and influence successful implementation.
  • Be recognised as a national authority in an area of expertise and typically possess knowledge across a range of scientific disciplines.
  • Identify trends in research and development to inform portfolio analysis and influence the Business Unit’s research directions. 
  • Communicate research results to clients and the scientific community through oral and written reports, which may include the preparation of documents for patent.
  • Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary, research team to carry out tasks in support of CSIRO’s scientific objectives.
  • Other duties as directed.


Locations: Brisbane, Armidale or Perth
Salary:
 AU$141,949 – AU$157,055  plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:
 Specified term of 3 years
Reference: 85725

To be considered you will need:

Selection Criteria
Essential

  • A PhD (or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience) in a relevant field relating to agriculture.
  • Extensive skills or experience in animal science and the delivery of innovation in farm operations and decision making.
  • Evidence of experience in science and innovation in multi-disciplinary areas that could include animal nutrition, pasture science, nutrient circular economy, environmental impact monitoring, and life-cycle assessment (LCA) of animal farming.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with digital systems including sensors (abiotic and biotic) for information collection, analytics and farm management or simulation software models. 
  • Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems.
  • Established reputation and credibility in leading relevant science and/or impact domain with evidence of effective world-class science, research and/or innovation leadership.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead individual and groups of projects of scale and/or complexity and manage financial and project performance.


Desirable

  • Direct experience in biodiversity monitoring and mosaic farming concepts 
  • Direct experience in biosecurity management relevant to mixed crop and livestock farming systems.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

To be eligible to work in CSIRO you must be an Australian/ New Zealand Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or ab Australian temporary resident with a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term. 
The successful applicant will be required to obtain and provide a National Police Check or equivalent.

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

Wednesday 24th August 2022, 11:00 pm AEST