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 Computational Chemistry?
• Rare opportunity to join two Future Science Platforms in this 3-year postdoctoral role
• 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.

The Revolutionary Energy Storage Systems Future Science Platform (RESS FSP) is developing radical energy storage systems. These systems are key components for Australia’s successful energy transition to achieve Net Zero Emissions, as levels of energy generation increase. The RESS FSP is focused on creating advanced storage architecture that goes beyond the use of electrons as a proxy. It will develop storage at varying scales, using low environmental impact materials to expand Australia’s energy resilience.

At the Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform (AEB FSP) we’re working to catalyse a step change in biotechnology development in Australia. We are also working to ensure engineering biology delivers broad societal benefit. Our research is working to address the challenges holding engineering biology back from delivering benefits for society, environments and industry.

We are seeking a CERC Fellow who will work across both FSPs.  You will be a molecular modeller with a background in computational chemistry, particularly with strong experience in the use of Density Functional Theory (DFT) modelling of multicomponent systems and the prediction of chemical speciation, modelling of reaction transition states, and mechanism elucidation. This CERC Fellow is key in our efforts towards the design of bioinspired molecular machinery that can effect oxygen reduction, that will ultimately be deployed in a metal-air battery.

Your duties will include:

• Computationally investigating and designing biologically inspired options for functional oxygen reduction cathodes in metal-air batteries.
• Working closely within a highly multidisciplinary team to develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Carrying out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
• Recognising and exploiting 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, ACT

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

Tenure: Specified term of 3 years

Reference: 93196

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as computational chemistry. 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 experience in computational chemistry, especially Density Functional Theory applied to multicomponent systems.
• Knowledge in the use of appropriate functionals and basis sets, different QM packages such as NWChem, GAMESS or similar and strategies for tackling multiscale problems.
• Experience with transition state modelling and determining reaction mechanisms and energy barriers, particularly with regard to redox reactions.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver creative solutions to complex problems.

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.

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

11 September 2023, 11:00pm AEST