XRF Microbeam Instrument Scientist/Engineer

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The Opportunity

• Maintain, operate & contribute to the development of advanced microanalytical instrumentation
• Key practical role supporting exciting minerals/geological research projects
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s National R&D Agency – and create scientific impact!

We are currently seeking a highly motivated Instrument Scientist or Engineer with experience in X-ray equipment to join our dynamic ‘Microanalytical Geoscience’ research team!

CSIRO Mineral Resources is one of the largest minerals R&D groups in the world, with a proud track record in delivering innovation and solutions across the mineral resources value chain. As part of our research programs, we have world-leading capability in X-ray fluorescence microanalysis of geological samples, and CSIRO is also home to major developments in both detectors and software used at global synchrotron facilities and more recently our flagship Maia Mapper Lab instruments.

Joining our multi-disciplinary Microanalytical Geoscience team as an Instrument Scientist or Engineer, you will have a key technical role in providing hands-on assistance to a range of research projects. The primary focus of your role would be to collaborate with other science experts to assist with the maintenance and operation of our XRF microbeam instrument (the Maia Mapper). Your role will include routine yet essential tasks including workflow optimisation and management of rock cores & other samples, management of the large datasets, and their preliminary analysis and quality control. Based at our CSIRO Clayton site, you will also have access to a range of other world-class facilities and the opportunity to work adjacent to and collaborate with the Australian Synchrotron – one of Australia's most significant pieces of scientific infrastructure!

If you have experience operating and maintaining advanced scientific equipment, and are motivated by contributing to making a real difference with your work, we would love to hear from you! At CSIRO, we champion in providing a diverse and inclusive culture, support flexible work arrangements, and strive to offer you excellent professional development opportunities to grow your skills & career.

Applications are considered across two capability levels and the successful candidate will be appointed at the level commensurate with their skills and experience.

Your duties will include:

• Operating and maintaining the Maia Mapper instrument in Clayton, learning about the system design, maintenance requirements and data infrastructure. The instrument includes an Excillum MetalJet liquid-metal X-ray source and an advanced multi-channel energy dispersive X-ray detector.
• Communicating openly and effectively with internal and external colleagues, clients, and partners to develop and progress research outcomes and maintain productive stakeholder relationships.
• Collaborating with Research Scientists across the business unit to optimise analysis workflows using the Maia Mapper and other instruments.
• Recognising opportunities for innovation and incorporating novel approaches to research to deliver high-impact outcomes of strategic relevance to the minerals industry.
• Producing high-quality technical reports and contributing to client presentations and scientific papers.
• Advising on planning and preparing research plans and proposals.
• At the higher capability level, your will also be liaising with organisational IT services to implement and manage instruments, and analyse computing & data storage requirements, as well as manage Linux systems and services in support of instrument operations & data analysis.

Location: Melbourne (Clayton), VIC

Salary: AU$68K – AU$101K pa + up to 15.4% superannuation (across two capability levels)

Tenure: Specified Term of 3 years

Reference: 92893

To be considered you will need:

• Relevant degree, or equivalent applied research or industry experience, in the field of physics, engineering or geosciences.
• Experience maintaining vacuum systems and laboratory instruments.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a multidisciplinary and diverse research team, and the motivation and discipline to carry out independent research to achieve organisational goals.
• Willingness to learn new data acquisition and processing methods such as lab based or portable XRF, XRD, hyperspectral equipment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including a proven track record of writing technical reports and/or publications.
• To be considered at the higher capability level, you will also need experience in managing sample and data workflows for scientific instrumentation.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this role, you must be either an:

• Australian Citizen;
• New Zealand Citizen;
• Australian Permanent Resident; or
• Australian Temporary Resident, currently residing in Australia, with an existing valid visa and unrestricted work rights for the full duration of the term (at least until December 2026) and no requirement for visa sponsorship from CSIRO. Please note this does not include bridging visas or other visas that are dependent upon the approval of future visas.

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. 

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

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs, whether we are undertaking research, engaging with the public or nurturing future scientists in person or online. Source – CSIRO Child Safe policy 2023

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply online and provide a detailed cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please note that we strongly encourage you to respond to each of the selection criteria in detail and attach it to your cover letter as one document.

Applications Close

15 October 2023, 11:00pm AEDT

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.