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

Child Safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

The Opportunity

• Do you have a PhD in Agricultural, Agronomy, Ecology, Biology, MLAI or similar fields?
• Contribute to the delivery of science that underpins the ongoing productivity and sustainability of Australia’s agricultural industry.
• Join our Agriculture and Food team in Canberra for this 3-year postdoctoral role!

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.

CSIRO Agriculture and Food are seeking a highly motivated CERC Fellow to work at the intersection of plant pathology, epidemiology, sensing and MLAI. The CERC Fellow will leverage recent advances in sensing and MLAI to make early disease detection in broadacre crops possible, enabling precision chemical applications.

We welcome applications from early career researchers with an interest in addressing plant pathology and epidemiology challenges with emerging digital, sensing and prediction technology in agro-ecosystems. The CERC Fellow will work with the dynamic CSIRO Agriculture and Food Digital Decisions team, part of the broader Systems Program. The Program delivers science that underpins the ongoing productivity and sustainability of Australia’s agricultural industry.

Your duties will include:

•  
  • Co-designing the program of work with the broader team using design thinking methodology to understand market need, including engaging with industry partners to co-design the product and delivery pathway.
  • Investigating model-data fusion and analytical approaches to create a predictive model for early identification of disease outbreaks, when the symptoms are still minor.
  • Carrying out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
  • Recognise and exploit opportunities for innovation and the generation of new theoretical perspectives, and progress opportunities for the further development or creation of new lines of research.

Location: Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT

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

Tenure: Specified term of 3 years

Reference: 93610

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as Agricultural, Agronomy, Ecology, Biology, Statistics or MLAI. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or full-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Demonstrated skills in data analysis and management, experimental design and statistical analysis, including proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g. Python, R).
• Demonstrated understanding of links between natural environments (e.g. pests, diseases, climate and weather) and agricultural production and productivity.
• High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including the presentation of research outcomes at national and international conferences.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Candidates will be expected to commence employment by 31 January 2024.

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. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs, whether we are undertaking research, engaging with the public or nurturing future scientists in person or online. Source – CSIRO Child Safe policy 2023

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 August 2023, 11:00pm AEST