Research Veterinarian Scientist

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

• Work in a world-class research and development precinct
• Bring your passion for animal welfare and care within a research environment to support improvements in animal facilities 
• Work within a supportive, rewarding, and collaborative team environment

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 

As a registered Research Veterinarian/ Scientist at CSIRO’s Health and Biosecurity, you will be working closely with leaders and scientific experts within the Biosecurity Program. The Biosecurity Program in CSIRO Health & Biosecurity works to mobilise science and technology to support preparedness and response to biosecurity risks to plants, animals and the environment.

In this role, you will get the opportunity to participate in investigations of novel genetic biocontrol technologies as more effective and humane alternatives to conventional techniques for managing vertebrate pests, especially small mammals. As the attending registered veterinarian, you will be responsible for providing veterinary oversight for the small animal research facilities at CSIRO Black Mountain, including domestic rabbit and mouse breeding colonies, and leading a small team of research project officers and animal care providers. You will also provide veterinary support to existing projects investigating viral biocontrols for rabbits and may be called upon to consult on other CSIRO projects involving animals.

This is a very rare and unique opportunity for a Veterinary Scientist to continue their passion for animal welfare, focus on research with some involvement in statistics and build a career while contributing towards more humane and effective ways to manage invasive pest animals.

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Provide veterinary expertise in support of research projects involving animals, including routine animal husbandry procedures, assisted reproductive techniques (e.g., artificial insemination, in vitro fertilisation), experimental viral infections, and monitoring and collecting biological samples.
• In collaboration with other CSIRO scientists, develop new project ideas/proposals investigating novel genetic and viral biological controls.
• Provide advice on best practices for breeding and colony management of research animals, including prospective health monitoring programs.
• Provide appropriate clinical care services, including monitoring, treatment, and, where required, humane killing and necropsies of research animals.
• Assist in the preparation of scientific papers and reports, and review as required.
• Maintain high levels of animal welfare and strive for improvement through innovation, astute observation, promotion of animal welfare principles and compliance with Animal Ethics Committee protocols and policies.
• Develop, deliver and assess technical training procedures and resources for staff members involved in animal work, and contribute to maintaining a training register.
• In collaboration with other scientists in the Team, develop and manage Animal Research Ethics Applications for projects, including reporting.
• Liaise with the local institutional biosecurity committee concerning the use of regulated biological materials in a PC2 environment, and assist with PC2 (re)certification of small animal facilities.
• Strive for “Zero Harm” (physical and psychological) and actively promote a healthy, safe and environmentally sustainable workplace, in doing so model appropriate and professional behaviour in the workplace and manage people matters proactively.
• Support the Team and Group Leaders to build the long‐term science capability to support the Program’s research delivery and impact, where it pertains to research involving animals.

Role particulars

Location:  Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT

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

Tenure & work schedule: Upto three years/ Full-time 

Reference: 100107

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• A veterinary degree registrable with the ACT Veterinary Practitioners Board, with a minimum of one year of clinical veterinary experience.
• Demonstrated competence in complex or non-routine husbandry, surgery or animal management procedures in a veterinary, research, diagnostic or comparable industry environment.
• Experience and/or willingness to perform research that involves humane killing of research animals, including lab animals infected with viral agents.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively and harmoniously in a team, with a good understanding of the basis of a successful team, and the ability to work independently as required.
• Proven commitment to safeguarding and improving the welfare of animals, including knowledge of the Australian Code of Practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.
• Must not own pet rabbits or have frequent direct exposure to domestic or wild rabbits. 

For full details about this role and more desirable criteria, please review the Position Description. 

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While CSIRO policy states 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 Talent Partner 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 that 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 and Australian Permanent Residents only. Appointment to this role is subject to the 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 well-being 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 demonstrates your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.  

Applications close 

13 July 2025, 11:00 pm AEST

We strongly encourage you to apply early, as we will review applications as they come in. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date if necessary.