Groundwater Hydrogeochemist

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

• Use your collaboration & engagement expertise to advance CSIRO Environment’s Water Security program
• Work as part of large multi-disciplinary projects to support the science and impact needs of groundwater characterisation
• Play a key role in guiding impact, capability science and world-class talent within a critical research group 

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

We have a dynamic and inclusive team within the Groundwater Management Group and are seeking applicants for the role of Groundwater Hydrogeochemist. If you take pride in your interpersonal skills and your ability to apply groundwater hydrology or hydrogeology expertise to drive water security impact, we would love to hear from you. 

This position sits within the CSIRO Environment Research Unit, within the Water Security Program and the Groundwater Management Group.

​​​​​​​As the successful candidate, you will contribute to the operation of the stable noble gas isotope facility and the tritium facility TRIFIN. You will also contribute to research to develop novel applications for environmental tracers needed to better understand and manage groundwaters in Australia. You will work independently and as part of large multi-disciplinary projects to support the science and impact needs of groundwater characterisation, management, and water security in Australia.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Conduct research to inform decision making for water resource development, changing climatic conditions, enhanced water security through conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater, and to support the transition to a net-zero emissions economy in key areas of the country (e.g., Murray-Darling Basin, Great Artesian Basin, Hydrogen, Northern Australia, Perth Basin, and for safe waste disposal)
• Contribute to the operation of the stable noble gas isotope facility and the tritium facility TRIFIN, including managing interoperability between noble gas mass spectrometers and automated sample preparation lines to improve facility performance and maximize output.
• Develop novel applications for environmental tracers, in particular noble gases and tritium, to support aquifer characterisation, water resource assessments, groundwater contamination studies, natural hydrogen prospectivity surveys.
• Integrate hydrogeochemical data with environmental tracers to develop robust conceptual hydrogeochemical models of the vadose zone, aquifers, and connected groundwater-surface systems.

Role Particulars

Location: Adelaide, SA (Kaurna Country)

Salary: AU$114k – AU$123k per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation

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

Reference: 99642

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential 

• A PhD (or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience) in a relevant field such as groundwater hydrology or hydrogeology.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems in groundwater science, that have impact.
• Demonstrated experience in the operation of an environmental tracer facility.
• A demonstrated publication history of authorship on scientific papers in peer reviewed journals and/or reports, grant applications or inventorship on patent applications related to using environmental tracers to develop robust conceptual hydrogeochemical models.
• Experience in industry and/or applied research, developing, co-designing and delivering projects for water security challenges.
• A demonstrated commitment to health, safety, and wellbeing of staff, willing to challenge the status quo in pursuit of Zero Harm. 

Desirable

• Knowledge of using environmental tracers to address key water security issues in Australia.
• Experience in programming and working with large spatial and time series data sets.

For full details about this role please review 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 TA Partner, Vicki Ferrar on vicki.ferrar@csiro.au and let us know how we can support you.  

Eligibility

Applications are open to all candidates (visa sponsorship may be offered 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