CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Groundwater Hydrology

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

• Launch your career at Australia’s National Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation 
• Great opportunity for an early career researcher with a PhD in groundwater hydrology or hydrogeology 
• Join a team of world leaders within the Groundwater Management Group at CSIRO  

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 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.

We’re seeking a dynamic Groundwater Hydrologist to advance national approaches to define the current and future state of groundwaters (including evapotranspiration and recharge) to underpin decision making for the future sustainable use of Australia’s groundwater, considering drivers such as climate change.  

Your high-level duties will include:

• Advance methods and tools to quantify groundwater resources spatially and temporally, using fit-for-purpose models. 
• Contribute to new methods and tools to quantify uncertainty where existing groundwater data is sparse, with specific, focused investigations to reduce uncertainty. 
• Support the assessment of future groundwater supplies and water security more broadly. 
• Collaborate with other parts of CSIRO such as Energy, Minerals, Data61, and Agriculture & Food to enhance the understanding of groundwater’s role to support productive sectors such as irrigated agriculture, mining, and energy. 
• Produce high-impact research outputs, including scientific or engineering papers suitable for publication in leading journals and presentation at international conferences, as well as contributions to client reports and patent applications. 
• Other duties as directed.

Role Particulars

Location: Adelaide, SA (Kaurna Country)

Salary: AU$99K – AU$109K per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Specified Term of 3 years; Full-time (Options for part-time and flexible work arrangements can be discussed based on needs of role and individual circumstances).

Reference: 99641

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD). The doctorate must be in a relevant discipline area, such as groundwater hydrology or hydrogeology. 
  (Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or part time equivalent) of relevant research experience). 
• Demonstrated expertise using data-driven analysis, modelling, interpretation and/or uncertainty analysis to improve groundwater system conceptualisation. 
• Demonstrated expertise visualising groundwater data using a variety of software packages, e.g. spatial analysis in QGIS, statistical analysis in R, visualisation in Python or similar. 
• 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. 
• A sound history of publication in peer reviewed journals and/or authorship of scientific papers, reports, grant applications or patents. 
• A record of science innovation and creativity, including the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations. 

Desirable

• Knowledge of groundwater systems, ecohydrology, and hydrogeology in Australia.
• Experience using fit-for-purpose analysis methods and models to quantify uncertainty where existing groundwater data is sparse.  
• Remain productive, positive and resilient in complex, ambiguous and/or uncertain environments.  
• 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. 

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

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or international candidates who either hold, or will be able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term (visa sponsorship and relocation assistance may be provided 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.

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 submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close

20 May 2025, 11:00pm AEST