Indigenous Research and Engagement Lead (Identified Role - Indigenous)

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

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.

The opportunity

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• Are you an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leader with a passion for embedding Indigenous knowledge in science?
• Help shape how CSIRO partners with communities and Country through respectful, co-designed and Indigenous-led research.
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s leading scientific research organisation!

CSIRO’s Indigenous Science and Engagement Program (ISEP) is committed to respectful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and embedding Indigenous perspectives across our research.

We are currently seeking an Indigenous Research and Engagement Lead (Identified) to support this work by contributing expertise, cultural guidance, and strategic engagement across a portfolio of research projects.

In this role, you will work within a decentralised model—formally part of the Indigenous Science and Engagement Team, while embedded in project teams across CSIRO. You will contribute to the design and delivery of research projects, advise on community engagement and ethics, and help build relationships with Indigenous communities, knowledge holders, and partners.

This position offers a unique opportunity to influence research practice and outcomes, enhance internal cultural capability, and support co-designed, place-based approaches to science and innovation.

Your duties will include:

• Contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of CSIRO’s Indigenous Science and Engagement Programs across the organisation.
• Actively co-lead or support research projects by embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, methodologies, and cultural protocols into scientific design and delivery.
• Build capacity within research teams by enhancing cultural capability and improving understanding of ethical Indigenous engagement.
• Build trusted, long-term relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, cultural knowledge holders, and organisations.
• Raise the visibility of CSIRO’s Indigenous research and science through internal and external communication.
• Produce gap analyses and insights for senior leadership regarding barriers, risks, and opportunities in Indigenous science delivery.
• Operate with creativity, initiative and limited direction, while ensuring alignment with the goals of Indigenous peoples and CSIRO’s IS&EP.

Location: Any Australian CSIRO site may be considered

Salary: AU$114K - AU$123K plus 15.4% superannuation

Duration: Indefinite;  Full-time (part-time and flexible work arrangements may be considered based on needs of the role and individual circumstances).

Reference: 99810

To be considered you will need:

Selection Criteria for this role includes but is not limited to:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or significant demonstrated experience in Indigenous research, Indigenous engagement, Indigenous science, or a related field.
• Proven ability to proactively identify, build and maintain strategic, trusted relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations, and cultural knowledge holders and an ability to navigate protocols with integrity, respect, and accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and perspectives into research processes and outcomes and a track record of supporting or co-leading Indigenous-led initiatives.
• Experience representing an organisation and/or research team in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities and respectfully delivering against organisational objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex and dynamic environment, adapt quickly and proactively to manage, re-prioritise multiple tasks, build relationships with internal and external stakeholders with an ability to influence and coach others to achieve organisational objectives.
• High-level written and oral communication skills, and strong judgement and problem-solving skills and an ability to work autonomously at times.
• Willingness and ability to travel to regional or remote areas across Australia to meet with communities and support projects on Country.

For the full list of selection criteria and details on who to contact, please refer to the Position Description.

Eligibility

CSIRO considers the filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity/affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). The position is therefore only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with Australian Citizenship.

The successful applicant will be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

The successful candidate will be required to provide contact details of at least one Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Referee to confirm their ability to work and communicate respectfully with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

Please apply online and provide a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role.

Applications close

Sunday 13 July 2025, 11:00pm AEST