Analytical Chemist (Seagoing)

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 chemistry expertise to support vital marine research and fieldwork
• Contribute to high-quality data collection aboard Australia’s research vessel – RV Investigator
• Join CSIRO’s collaborative team in Hobart working at the forefront of ocean science!

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

CSIRO’s National Collections and Marine Infrastructure (NCMI) enables world-class marine research through specialised infrastructure and technical capability. Within the Engineering and Technology Program, the Marine Survey and Measurement Group provides essential support for oceanographic studies across Australia’s marine estate.

The Hydrochemistry team, based in Hobart, delivers chemical analysis services that underpin a wide range of marine research projects. Their work spans laboratory testing, coastal fieldwork, and seagoing operations aboard the Marine National Facility research vessel, RV Investigator. The team collaborates with scientists nationally and internationally to ensure the delivery of robust and reliable data.

As an Analytical Chemist, you will perform laboratory analyses of nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and salinity using established procedures, while maintaining instrumentation and preparing for voyages. You’ll also contribute to data quality discussions with clients and support up to 85 days of seagoing work annually, including coastal fieldwork and extended voyages. At sea, you’ll work closely with the science party to collect samples and carry out onboard analyses.

If you’re technically skilled, detail-oriented, and excited by the prospect of contributing to marine science in both lab and field environments, this is a fantastic opportunity to apply your expertise in a meaningful and hands-on role. So, apply now and grow your career with CSIRO! 

Your high-level duties will include:

• Collecting and analysing seawater samples for a range of nutrient species (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, silicate), as well as salinity and dissolved oxygen, both at sea and in the shore laboratory.
• Applying standard methods to process results and ensure data accuracy through quality assurance and control (QA/QC) procedures.
• Maintaining and calibrating lab and shipboard analytical instruments.
• Liaising with clients and stakeholders on data collection, processing, and issue resolution.
• Supporting data collection and lab operations during sea-going research voyages (up to 85 days per year, remote environments).
• Adapting or developing techniques, procedures, or equipment to improve research workflows.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Hobart, TAS – the role also requires seagoing support

Salary: AU$73K – AU$93K per annum (pro-rata for part-time) + up to 15.4% superannuation and additional seagoing allowance

Tenure & work schedule: Specified Term of 2 years; Full-time (preferred) – part-time and flexible work arrangements may be considered based on needs of the role and individual circumstances.

Reference: 100925

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• Relevant bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent work experience in a related field such as Chemistry or Environmental Science, with an emphasis on Analytical Chemistry.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct routine laboratory analyses, including maintenance and use of basic laboratory equipment, preparing reagents and calibration standards, and processing and interpreting analytical results.
• Proven capacity to identify and troubleshoot issues through creative problem-solving.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with team members and clients, and to produce data reports.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and respectfully within multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively, including providing operational support on domestic or international ports for periods of up to 85 days per year.
• Desirable: Experience with segmented flow analysers, statistical analyses and visualisation of data using programming languages would be highly desirable.

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. 

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 the Talent Acquisition Partner via email (see details in the Position Description) and let us know how we can support you. 

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to:

• Australian or New Zealand Citizens;
• Australian Permanent Residents; or
• Australian Temporary Residents, currently residing in Australia, with an existing valid visa and unrestricted work rights for the full duration of the term (at least until December 2027) and no requirement for visa sponsorship.

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

Due to the nature of the role, the successful candidate will be required to obtain an MNF remote medical clearance (post-commencement).

The appointee must be willing and able to work at sea and to travel extensively on a research vessel for up to 85 days per year, typically 2-6 weeks in duration, on 12-hour shifts.

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

21 September 2025, 11:00pm AEST

We strongly encourage you to apply early as we will be reviewing applications as they come through. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date if required.