Research Projects Officer - Photovoltaic Development

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

• Hands-on role in solar cell fabrication & characterisation, advancing next-generation photovoltaic technologies
• Indefinite, full-time opportunities at Newcastle, NSW expecting high standards of laboratory stewardship
• Join CSIRO! A truly collaborative and inclusive workplace.

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 

We are actively seeking a research project officer to be a part of the Solar Technologies Group, within CSIRO’s Energy Research Unit. You will work within a multidisciplinary engineering & scientific team, responsible for delivering project milestones for a range of funded projects, primarily contributing to the delivery of research projects developing new photovoltaic technologies.

This position plays a key role in the fabrication and characterisation of solar cells, with a strong focus on thin‑film deposition across multiple techniques. You will support the operation of a cutting-edge laboratory by maintaining specialised equipment, contributing to continuous improvements, and upholding high standards of laboratory stewardship. Working closely with a collaborative research team, you will help ensure smooth, efficient, and innovative facility operations.

This opportunity is a laboratory scientist role that requires the candidate to be present on-site. 

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Contribute to the development of new photovoltaic technologies, with a focus on thin film fabrication using standard and novel techniques.
• Fabricate novel semiconductor films, characterise their properties and evaluate films and devices
• Continue to refine automated laboratory systems to produce thin films and semiconductors at scale efficiently.
• Undertake maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment.
• Show initiative to seek new approaches to meet experimental or technological needs when encountering new problems where methods are not defined.

Role particulars

Location:  Newcastle, NSW.

Salary: AU$100K – AU$113K per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus up to 15.4% superannuation/ share combined salary too

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite; Full-time 

Reference: 102063

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent relevant work experience in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• Enthusiasm for practical laboratory work, with a strong interest in experimental problem-solving and continuous skill development.
• Demonstrated experimental rigour, including following and developing protocols with close attention to detail and thorough laboratory record-keeping, data analysis and presentation skills.
• Practical expertise in analytical and characterisation techniques such as electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Desirable

• Experience with thin-film deposition techniques such as chemical vapour deposition (CVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), sputter deposition, or physical vapour deposition (PVD).
• Experience working in clean or controlled environments (e.g., cleanrooms, gloveboxes) or other settings where contamination control is critical.
• Practical experience in characterising the performance of electrical or electrochemical devices.
• Familiarity with gas safety, gas delivery systems, and/or vacuum systems (e.g., Swagelok, KF fittings).

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 Talent Consultant 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 provide a CV and a detailed cover letter (maximum 2 pages) 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 

31 January 2026, 11:00 pm AEDT

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 required.