CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Atmospheric Science - Mitigating Urban Methane

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

The Opportunity

• Do you have a PhD in Atmospheric Science, Chemistry or Earth Sciences or related field? 
• Have a strong drive to deliver science in support of the Paris Climate Agreement?
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s leading scientific research organisation!

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years of relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.

In this position you will join a team of international leaders in atmospheric observations and inverse modelling. You will work to strategically densify and diversify the methane observational network across Greater Melbourne. Using traditional ground-based in situ observations as well as novel platforms (e.g., trains, skydivers, low-cost sensors), allied measurements and local-scale modelling tools, the Fellow will identify and quantify emissions hotspots for direct mitigation. Working with the modelling team, you will deliver datasets that allow robust top-down constraints on Melbourne’s methane emissions, with the ability to partition the total at a sector level and offer targeted mitigation advice to stakeholders.
 

The role sits in the Atmospheric Composition and Chemistry Group in CSIRO’s Climate Science Centre. The successful candidate will be someone who wants to work as part of a team, with a keen interest in climate science and a strong drive to deliver science in support of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Your duties will include:

• Develop an optimised measurement network for atmospheric methane within Greater Melbourne, participate in commissioning the network and ongoing instrument operation. 
• Test and evaluate the relative value of low-cost sensors and novel platforms to densify the network.
• Engage with stakeholders to promote impactful uptake of the research outcomes.
• Carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes. 

Location:  Aspendale, VIC

Salary:  AU$89k - AU$98k plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure:  Specified term of 3 years

Reference:  86967

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as Atmospheric Science, Chemistry or Earth Sciences. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (full time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Strong technical skills and demonstrated hands-on experience in the operation of optical (spectroscopic) instrumentation for quantitative analysis of chemical species in the gas phase.
• Demonstrated experience in quality control of instrumental data.
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:

a.    Atmospheric composition and greenhouse gas emissions
b.    Atmospheric transport processes, particularly on a regional to local scale
c.    Methane source processes

• Demonstrated experience in Python programming (or similar) for scientific analysis.
• A current driver’s licence.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or Australian temporary residents currently residing in Australia and be able to commence in the role by 31 January 2023.

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

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. 

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

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

31 August 2022, 11:00pm AEDT