• Do you want to help reduce the impact of agriculture on the Great Barrier Reef?

• Are you a recent PhD graduate looking to make a difference?

• Join CSIRO's grond breaking Agriculture & Food team today and make your research matter!

The Position
Postdoctoral Fellows are appointed for up to three years or part time equivalent and will work closely with a leading Research Scientist or Engineer in their respective field. They carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO with the possibility of novel and important scientific outcomes. They present the findings in appropriate publications and at conferences.

The successful applicant will join a group of world-leading researchers aiming to reduce the impact of agriculture on Australia’s world renowned Great Barrier Reef. The postdoctoral fellow will undertake research on ways to increase nitrogen use efficiency in cropping systems, and thus reduce nitrogen losses from these systems to the environment. The main focus will be sugarcane cropping in catchments draining into the Great Barrier Reef, although part of the research may be undertaken in other intensive agricultural systems.

The work will build on current research activities in these areas, aiming to use digital technologies to improve farmers’ decision making. The research involves application of the agricultural systems model APSIM to simulate the effect of different fertiliser management options and to use resulting outcomes to inform the development and improvement of innovative decision support systems.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Under the direction of senior research scientists, carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
• Simulate the effect of enhanced efficiency fertilisers on the nitrogen cycle of intensive agricultural systems.
• Simulate the relationship between climate forecasting indices and the nitrogen cycle of sugarcane production systems.
• Use the insights from these activities to contribute to development/improvement of innovative decision support systems for reducing nitrogen losses from intensive cropping systems.
• Communicate results to scientific peers and stakeholders through publications, workshops, demonstrations, etc.

Location: St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD

Salary: $80K - $91K plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified Term – 3 Years or equivalent part-time

Reference: 52389

To be successful you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as agri- or environmental-informatics with an agricultural, environmental and/or hydrological application; or a quantitative aspect of agricultural, soil and/or environmental science Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or part time equivalent) of relevant postdoctoral experience.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualise, run and evaluate mathematical process-based models, interpret their outputs, and to effectively manage and analyse large observational and modelled datasets.
• Demonstrated ability to research and develop visualisations that avoid information overload, and assist with decision making.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team, plus the motivation and discipline to carry out autonomous research.
• A record of science innovation and creativity, plus the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.

To view the full position description and selection criteria for this role please click here: Position description

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Find out more here! Balance

We imagine. We collaborate. We innovate. At CSIRO, we do the extraordinary every day. We innovate for tomorrow and help improve today – for our customers, all Australians and the world. We do this by using science and technology to solve real issues. Diversity is the compass that navigates our innovation. We provide an inclusive workplace that respects, values and actively pursues the benefits of a diverse workforce.

How to Apply: Please apply for this position online at https://jobs.csiro.au/ and enter requisition number 52389. You will be required to upload one document only containing both your CV/Resume, cover letter and responses to the Essential Criteria. Please note, your application may not be considered by the Selection Committee if you do not respond to the Essential Criteria.

Applications Close: 11:59pm AEST, Tuesday 2nd of January 2018.