Communication Advisor, Innovation Programs (iPhD)

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

• Support the delivery of communication campaigns for CSIRO’s Industry PhD program
• Develop engaging content across digital and communication channels
• Collaborate with stakeholders across universities, industry and government
  
  

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 are seeking a Communication Advisor, Innovation Programs (iPhD) to join CSIRO's Industry and Community Engagement team. The team delivers marketing and communications for a diverse portfolio of programs and initiatives that support STEM capability, industry collaboration and commercialisation.

In this role, you will help position CSIRO and the Industry PhD Program as leaders within Australia's STEM industry research training and innovation landscape. You will develop and deliver communication and marketing strategies that increase awareness, engagement and participation, while building strong relationships with stakeholders across universities, industry and government.

This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional who enjoys creating engaging content, delivering impactful campaigns and supporting programs that strengthen Australia's STEM and innovation ecosystem.

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Developing and delivering communication and marketing strategies, plans and campaigns that support program objectives and drive stakeholder engagement.
• Creating audience-focused content, including case studies, success stories, digital content, marketing collateral and social media materials.
• Managing and maintaining communication channels and digital platforms, ensuring content remains accurate, engaging and aligned with CSIRO brand standards.
• Monitoring communication activities, budgets and resources and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Supporting stakeholder engagement initiatives that enhance participant experience and contribute to program growth.
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and providing strategic communication advice to program teams.

Role particulars

Location: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Canberra preferred

Salary: AU$100k – AU$113k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) + 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified term of 2 years, Full-time

Reference: 103837

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification and/or relevant experience in PR, journalism, communication or marketing.
• Demonstrated proven experience delivering marketing and communication strategies, expertise and advice aligned to business objectives.
• Demonstrated experience managing integrated and creative communication campaigns, including developing content for digital audiences, and/or working with suppliers.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated stakeholder management skills with a focus on negotiation and influencing to build and maintain positive relationships with both internal and external contacts.
• The ability to work with and provide guidance to the Communication Unit as well as CSIRO’s senior managers and staff.
  
  

Desirable:

• Experience working within higher education, research, innovation, STEM, industry engagement or government environments.
• An understanding of Australia's research, innovation or university sectors, including industry-research collaboration programs.
  
  

For full details about this role, and other criteria, 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 reach out to the contact person listed in the Position Description and let us know how we can support you.  

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 Platinum Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Eligibility 

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens, New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.  

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 

25th August 2026, 11pm AEST.

Shortlisting and interviews for this role may take place as applications are received prior to the closing date. Please consider applying as soon as possible.