Senior Groundwater Hydrologist

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 excited to offer two opportunities at different capability levels for talented groundwater professionals to join us. If you take pride in your interpersonal skills and your ability to apply groundwater hydrology expertise to deliver real-world impact for Australia’s water security, we’d love to hear from you!

These positions sit within the CSIRO Environment Research Unit, as part of the Water Security Program and the Groundwater Management Group.

As the successful candidate, you will contribute to hydrological research to better understand and manage water security and its impacts on the economy, environment and communities of Australia. You will work independently on new research projects or as part of large multi-disciplinary projects to support the science and impact needs of groundwater characterisation, management, and water security in Australia.

We are recruiting across two capability levels, and the successful candidates will be appointed at the level commensurate with their skills and experience, as assessed by the Selection Panel.

At the Senior level, you will be expected to demonstrate the ability to be a leader in groundwater hydrology research, including system characterisation and modelling. You will have established networks and also bring your experience in developing a portfolio of activities with a national focus on impact. You will work across CSIRO and the broader water science innovation system.

Your duties will include:

• Conduct hydrological, groundwater and connected surface-groundwater modelling research to better understand and manage water security and its impacts on the economy, environment and communities of Australia.
• Provide input and undertake independent work into new research projects or large multi-disciplinary projects to support the science and impact needs of groundwater characterisation, management, and water security in Australia.
• Undertake innovative research related to groundwater hydrology processes, recharge, throughflow, inter-aquifer/aquitard leakage and groundwater-surface water exchanges, including novel methods to integrate hydrological, geophysical and environmental tracer data into hydrogeological models to better understand and manage groundwater resources.

At the higher CSOF6 level, key result areas and duties also include:

• Conduct hydrological, hydrogeological and groundwater modelling research using uncertainty (conceptual and numerical) to better understand and manage groundwater resources and its impacts on the economy, environment and communities of Australia. 
• Lead innovative research related to groundwater hydrology processes, recharge, throughflow, inter-aquifer/aquitard leakage and groundwater-surface water exchanges via combination of hydrological investigations, modelling, geostatistical and uncertainty methods to better understand and manage groundwater resources.
• Develop robust hydrogeological conceptual models incorporating conceptual uncertainty and quantify groundwater flow processes to constrain the framework, input and boundary conditions for groundwater flow models used in regional water resource assessments.
• Foster collaboration across CSIRO to enhance the understanding of groundwater’s role to support productive sectors such as irrigated agriculture, mining, and energy.
• Lead technical scientific reports, scientific writing, and delivery of scientific publications, lead opportunities, projects, specific activities or project components, engage with other specialists across CSIRO and external stakeholders to deliver on projects, present project outcomes, have good communication and writing skills.
• Advise policy makers and inform and transfer knowledge to non-scientific audiences as required.

Role Particulars

Location: Adelaide, SA (Kaurna Country) 

Salary: Applications would be assessed across two capability levels:

• CSOF5: AU$114K – AU$123K per annum, plus 15.4% superannuation
• CSOF6: AU$ $131K – AU$153K per annum, 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: 99588

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Applications will be assessed against the Selection Criteria outlined below. The successful candidate will be appointed at the capability level that best aligns with their demonstrated skills and experience, as determined by the Selection Panel.
 

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 an impact.
• A demonstrated publication history of authorship on scientific papers in peer reviewed journals and/or reports, grant applications or inventorship on patent applications.
• Established networks in groundwater and more broadly in water science, working with complex settings.
• 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 groundwater science 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. 

We are also committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable & accessible to everyone, and 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 to discuss how we can support you.  

Eligibility

Applications are open to all candidates (visa sponsorship may be offered to eligible candidates). 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, responding to each of the selection criteria in detail, that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please attach your selection criteria responses to your cover letter as one document.

Applications close

20 May 2025, 11:00pm AEST