Principal Tailings Research Engineer

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

• Play a key role in securing project funds 
• Provide scientific leadership and pursue new ideas and approaches that create new concepts
• Three year specified term | Free onsite parking

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 CSIRO Mineral Resources’ Sustainable Mining Technologies (SMT) program and are seeking applicants for the role of Principal Tailings Engineer. If you take pride in your interpersonal skills and your ability to apply tailings expertise to drive strategy and help improve social and environmental performance of the Australian mining industry, we would love to hear from you.  

Based in Brisbane, CSIRO’s Sustainable Mining Technologies Program is the nation's largest mining research concentration in Australia. Made up of some 70 specialists in mining science and technology, our Mining Program addresses major challenges facing the resource sector and has a solid track record of delivering step change technologies and substantial benefits for the industry stakeholders.

As part of the Mine Geoenvironment team under the Sustainable Mining Technologies Program, this role will identify, develop and progress internal and external research initiatives to further SMT’s strategy in the fields of tailings safety and mine closure.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Liaise with industry to identify research needs and trends
• Develop strategic collaborative arrangements with industry and other research agencies
• Develop strategic initiatives and project proposals to further the team’s objectives
• Establish new client relationship
• Identify, plan and lead the development of laboratory facilities that meets research needs
• Provide scientific or engineering leadership and guidance to colleagues and students
• Conduct and progress complex research objectives, including theoretical analysis, laboratory studies and field experiments
• Communicate research results to clients and the scientific community through oral and written reports.
• Promote the team’s reputation /recognition in tailings safety research

Role particulars

Location: Brisbane (Pullenvale site), QLD

Salary: AU$157k – AU$174k per annum, plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified term of 3 years           

Reference: 99076

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential criteria

• A PhD (or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience) in a relevant field such as soil mechanics, engineering geology, geotechnical engineering.
• A deep knowledge across soil mechanics, engineering geology, tailings dam management.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and lead innovative projects by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions.
• Industry experience in tailings management, preferably in metalliferous mining.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in applied research and development in mine tailings and waste management and/or relevant fields
• Established industry network
• Proven ability in stakeholder engagement and management
• A demonstrated publication history of authorship on scientific papers.
• Recognised as a national authority in tailings research and/or management.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

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.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or you must either hold, or be able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term. 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

06 April 2025, 11:00pm AEST