Research Director, Sustainable Mining Technologies

Acknowledgement of Country

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The opportunity

• Lead CSIRO Mineral Resources’ (CMR’s) Sustainable Mining Technologies R&D Program
• Be a key member of the CMR Executive Team
• Collaborate with partners (from industry, Government, across CSIRO, and other R&D providers) to deliver world-class technological impact

CSIRO Mineral Resources (CMR) is one of the largest minerals research and development groups globally, with a proud track record in delivering impact across the mineral resources value chain.

CMR currently has an opportunity for an experienced technical professional to lead our ‘Sustainable Mining Technologies’ R&D Program as Research Director.  The Research Director is a key member of the CMR Executive Team, along with four peers, who lead the other R&D programs (Discovery, Characterisation, Sensing & Sorting, and Processing), the CMR Director, CMR Deputy/Science Director, and a small number of support leaders.  In addition to personal accountabilities within the Sustainable Mining Technology Program, the Research Director is expected to strongly collaborate with members of the Executive Team to utilise scale and scope advantages to maximise the impact of CMR for Australia.

The Sustainable Mining Technology Program is at the forefront of innovation towards a low-impact and environmentally sustainable minerals industry, with a well-established record of delivering significant innovation and cutting-edge technologies via collaborations with mining and METS companies.

This position would suit an experienced leader with a strong focus on the translation of science to deliver industrial impact, with an entrepreneurial spirit to pursue new business models (e.g creation of new companies, spin-offs and licensing/royalty models).

Your duties and key result areas will include:

• Impact Science Leadership
  • Provide strategic direction and a clear focus for the program.
  • Initiate and oversee R&D projects that significantly increase the impact of the program.
  • Ensure an appropriate portfolio mix of near-term impact delivery, medium-term IP/technology development with clear pathways to impact, and problem-driven fundamental research.
• Capability Leadership
  • Set, expect and personally demonstrate high standards in focus areas such as values adherence, HSE risk management and reporting, quality of project portfolio, project/financial management, performance management and development of employees, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
  • Performance management of and career guidance for direct reports
  • Strategic and operational leadership development of current and future leaders.
• Engagement and Partnership
  • Lead and support engagement with mining and METS companies to ensure program remains strategically aligned to industry and well-placed to co-create high impact projects.
  • Lead engagement with other parts of CSIRO in areas that might be brought to bear on innovation in mining, or where program capabilities could add significant value outside of mining.
• Resource Leadership
  • Work collaboratively as part of the CMR Executive Team and share responsibility for delivery of the Research Unit’s strategy and objectives.
  • Carry out delegate associated tasks, including managing within program budgets.

Location: Brisbane, QLD

Salary:  Attractive Salary package offered (negotiable for the right person) + 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: 3 year specified term

Reference:  98247

To be considered you will need:

• Demonstrated commitment to health, safety and wellbeing; and a willingness to challenge the status quo in pursuit of Zero Harm.
• Undergraduate degree in a mining-related field (e.g Mining/Civil/Environmental Engineering, Geoscience), or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop R&D/innovation leaders within a multi-disciplinary program, and to foster a high-performing, ambitious and inclusive culture to deliver impact.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully initiate and manage large technically and commercially complex projects, to deliver both industrial/societal impact and financial returns to the project/IP owner.
• Demonstrated ability for creative and flexible thinking to manage ambiguous and complex change management situations (human, technical, commercial) by adapting strategies, goals and approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate well, especially with peers, to elevate enterprise impact.
• Alignment to our four CSIRO values - CSIRO (People first, Further together, Making it real, Trusted).

Desirable

• A PhD in a mining-related field, or deep knowledge of at least one technical domain within mining.
• Significant experience in the development, operation and/or closure of mines.
• Excellent networks that include key mining industry stakeholders.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/ New Zealand citizens, Australian Residents and international candidates (visa sponsorship may be provided to eligible candidates).

The successful applicant will be required to obtain a National Police check or equivalent.

Flexible working arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

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 on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications close

10 November 2024, 11:00pm AEDT