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Aquatic Biogeochemical/Ecological Modeller

CSIRO

Other Engineering

Hobart City, TAS, Australia

AUD 114k-123k / year

Posted on Jun 20, 2025

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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.

Role highlights

Drive innovation in coastal aquatic ecosystem and biogeochemical modelling
Great opportunity to grow your expertise in 3D model development & environmental forecasting
Join our dynamic team at CSIRO – Australia’s National Science Agency!

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity

CSIRO’s Coastal Biogeochemical Modelling (CBM) team, as part of the broader ‘Coastal and Oceanic Systems’ Program, develops and applies integrated models that combine hydrodynamics, sediment dynamics, biogeochemistry, and ecological processes. Closely collaborating with the Coastal Hydrodynamic Modelling (CHM) team, CBM undertakes cutting-edge research to address critical environmental challenges in Australia’s estuarine, coastal, and shelf waters – as well as in international settings. With a long-standing collaborative success, the team has cultivated a supportive and engaged environment of senior researchers, engineers, postdocs, and PhD students working together toward impactful science and mutual growth.

In this role, you will apply your expertise in aquatic biogeochemical and ecological modelling to support key multi-disciplinary projects such as the eReefs initiative, the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), and the Tasmanian Coastal Information System. You will work with CSIRO’s Environmental Modelling Suite (EMS) – a sophisticated modelling platform – to simulate and analyse environmental systems involving nutrient cycling, oxygen and microbial dynamics, plankton, and related processes. The role requires strong computational and numerical modelling skills, and will involve working both independently and collaboratively with clients, stakeholders, and research partners to deliver science that informs real-world decisions. It may also require some occasional travel for client meetings and fieldwork duties.

This is an exciting, ongoing opportunity to make a real impact in the coastal and marine space, and grow your career in a nationally significant domain. We encourage applications from early-to-mid career scientists seeking to deepen their expertise and impact, as well as experienced researchers looking to take on more strategic and leadership responsibilities. CSIRO offers excellent career development support and thrives on the diversity of thought, experience, and background that each team member, and thrives on diverse teams that bring a variety of experiences and perspectives to the table.

Your high-level duties will include:

Incorporating novel approaches into marine biogeochemical models by adapting and/or developing original concepts and ideas.
Actively contributing to the application of aquatic BGC models to address issues arising in the marine coastal zone.
Being responsible for client liaison, model implementation and calibration, and disseminating model results for existing projects in an independent manner.
Applying the modelling package (Environmental Modelling Suite (EMS)) developed and operated by the group, and contributing to its routine and strategic development in collaboration with other scientists.
Contributing to the strategic development of modelling tools and frameworks supporting EMS.
Initiating, managing and executing externally funded projects within imposed time and budget limitations.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Hobart, TAS

Salary: AU$114K – AU$123K per annum plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite; Full-time (preferred) – part-time and flexible work arrangements may be considered based on needs of the role and individual circumstances.

Reference: 100015

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

A PhD, and/or equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience, in a relevant discipline area, such as marine biogeochemistry, biological oceanography, or numerical modelling.
Several years of demonstrated postdoctoral experience, and a proven record of innovative development and implementation of three-dimensional aquatic biogeochemical/ecological models to address issues related to coastal, shelf and estuarine circulation.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to publish research results, prepare reports and present the results of scientific investigations at national and international conferences and stakeholder meetings.
Demonstrated ability in the development and/or implementation of spatially resolved aquatic models.
Experience with the interpretation of aquatic BGC/ecological dynamics from model output and field observations.
A demonstrated publication history of authorship on quality scientific papers in peer reviewed journals and/or reports, grant applications or inventorship on patent applications.
Ability to work effectively and be closely involved with a multi-disciplinary, diverse research team, as well as carry out independent individual research, to achieve organisational goals.
Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems.

For full details about this role, including other highly desirable criteria, please refer to the Position Description.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact the Talent Acquisition Partner via email (see details in the Position Description) and let us know how we can support you.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents.

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

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

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.

How to apply

Please apply online, and provide a CV and a detailed cover letter that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. If possible, we strongly encourage you to respond to each of the selection criteria in detail, and attach it to your cover letter as one document.

If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please feel free to contact the TA Partner (see details in position description).

Applications close

20 July 2025, 11:00pm AEST

Apply now

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