Biosecurity Entomologist - [Archived Advertisement]

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

• Apply your entomological and ecological skills to help manage Australia’s biosecurity risks
• Develop innovative ways to analyse & manage trade risks affecting horticultural industries
• Exciting multi-faceted role to join CSIRO – Australia’s National Science Agency!

Are you skilled in ecological, agricultural or behavioural entomology? CSIRO Health & Biosecurity business unit currently has an exciting opportunity for a driven Biosecurity Entomologist to join our multi-disciplinary team. 

As a Biosecurity Entomologist, you will be part of our ‘Biosecurity Program’ that works to mobilise science and technology to support preparedness and response to biosecurity risks to agriculture and the environment. You will also play a vital part in CSIRO’s newly formed ‘Trusted Agrifood Exports Mission’, which aims to integrate data solutions across Australia's agrifood value chain to grow our export premiums.

In this hands-on role, you will collaborate with a wide range of internal & external stakeholders, and apply your entomological & ecological skills to develop and test new approaches to both support market access and help keep Australia free of new biosecurity threats. You will be responsible for conducting laboratory and field studies on quarantine pests affecting horticultural industries to identify and manage trade risks. 

If you’re an early-career scientist interested in finding innovative ways to manage biosecurity risks, this will be an excellent opportunity for you to be actively involved in a variety of high-impact research projects. CSIRO will offer you excellent career development and professional support, and we are strongly committed to diversity and supporting flexible working arrangements.

Your duties will include:

• Devising strategy and assuming scientific responsibility for research and interpreting results to deliver on project-related outputs.
• Initiating and undertaking laboratory and field research to help quantify and manage trade-related risks posed by horticultural pests of quarantine concern with the aim of helping the agricultural sector develop and maintain market access, and to support biosecurity incursion responses.
• Working closely with the agricultural industry (growers and packers), data scientists and other disciplines, to identify how digital and technological innovations could be applied to address biosecurity risks in horticultural systems.
• Incorporating novel approaches to scientific study by adapting and/or developing original concepts and ideas into existing and future research.
• Developing and contributing to new, multi-disciplinary research projects, including negotiation and securing of external funding requirements.
• Producing scientific papers suitable for publication in high quality international journals and for presentation at national and international conferences, including presenting reports for clients and the scientific and/or technology community.

Location: Brisbane, QLD or Canberra, ACT
Salary: AU$102K – AU$111K pa + up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified Term of 3 years
Reference: 86429

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience) in a relevant discipline, such as ecological or behavioural entomology, applied entomology, integrated pest management, invasion biology or biosecurity.
• Strong  experience and skills in designing, conducting and analysing rigorous and insightful laboratory and field studies on insect behaviour, ecology or management.
• Ability to lead projects or components of large multi-disciplinary projects, and carry out independent research, to achieve project goals.
• A record of science and/or technological innovation and creativity, including the ability and willingness to incorporate novel ideas and lateral thinking into scientific investigations to develop appropriate solutions to research challenges.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken, needed to make research accessible to diverse audiences in constrained time frames, including the ability to publish impactful scientific papers and effectively share research outcomes to clients, collaborators, and technical/community stakeholders.
• An ability to, under guidance, identify and secure new strategically-aligned R&D opportunities through engagement with stakeholders and collaborators.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this role, you must be an Australian/New Zealand Citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, or either hold or be able to obtain a valid working visa (visa sponsorship for the duration of the specified term may be offered to the successful candidate if required).

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements. Please review the position description for more details on the specific special requirements for this role.

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 August 2022, 11:00pm AEST