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

• Do you want to advance your scientific knowledge & experience?
• Do you want to conduct innovative research with a leading research organisation? 
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s leading scientific research organisation!

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years of relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.

In this position you will develop a highly efficient numerical modelling framework to simulate the interrelated processes that control the recovery of critical metals via electrokinetic in-situ leaching, a mineral extraction technology that will allow for a more sustainable mining process without excavation or fracking of the host rocks. Your responsibilities will centre around the development of a modelling framework accounting for coupled advective (pressure-driven), electrokinetic (electrically driven) and geochemical processes. Model development will be constrained by a wide range of experimental data, including µCT imaging. 

The successful candidate will lead the implementation effort at all stages of the project in collaboration with a team of experts at CSIRO, the University of Western Australia (led by Prof. Henning Prommer), and Curtin University (led by Prof. Victor Calo), with opportunities to explore the topic and steer the project evolution to the desired application level based on communication between the research team members, external stakeholders, and the community.

Your duties will include:

• Develop a numerical modelling framework to simulate the interrelated processes that control the recovery of critical metals via electrokinetic in-situ leaching.
• Constrain the model development and calibration with results from laboratory leaching experiments.
• Represent CSIRO externally, including in public forums, with industry or the research sector or with Government.
• Optionally supervise interns or students.
• Carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.

Location:  Kensington, WA

Salary:  AU$92k - AU$101k plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure:  Specified term of 3 years

Reference:  90644

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as Mathematics, Physics, Computing, Civil/ Mechanical/ Mining/ Chemical/ Environmental Engineering or related field with a focus on reactive flow or numerical analysis. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (full-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Demonstrated strong mathematical/analytical background. 
• Demonstrated experience in developing conceptual models and their implementation in numerical simulators.
• Demonstrated numerical programming experience.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or Australian temporary residents currently residing in Australia and be able to commence in the role by 30 June 2023.

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

31 January 2023, 11:00pm AEDT