Scientific Software Engineer - Livestock Systems

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The opportunity

• Contribute to the development and delivery of integrated crop-livestock systems models using software packages.
• Collaborate within a team of leading experts in software engineering and mathematical modelling.
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s leading scientific research organisation!

We are seeking applications for an experienced Scientific Software Engineer within the Software Solutions Team of the Digital Innovations Research Group in CSIRO’s Agriculture & Food business unit.  

This team is passionate about what they do and that motivates them to try new things and play a part in diverse research projects across CSIRO. We are easy-going, have a great work-life balance. We enjoy collaborative software development and use software sprints in Australia and overseas to achieve goals. We pride ourselves on the close-knit community we have created within our team and broader modelling community. 
This Group includes leading experts in software engineering and mathematical modelling of soil, plant, livestock, and atmosphere processes. As the Software Engineer, you will support the development and delivery of integrated crop-livestock systems models involving GRAZPLAN and CLEM software packages and the world leading farming systems model, APSIM (see www.apsim.info). These software packages are used nationally and internationally by thousands of researchers to develop productive and responsible cropping and integrated crop-livestock systems in the face of globally significance issues such as food security, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and environmental sustainability. The models underpinning these software packages are also being applied to digital technologies, such as GrassGro (a GRAZPLAN Software package) that is used in digital tactical forecasting tools such as Farming Forecaster (see https://farmingforecaster.com.au/). 

In this role, you will work with scientists and software engineers across multiple CSIRO sites and in other Australian and overseas institutions to further develop our integrated crop-livestock systems modelling capability. You will identify opportunities to improve modelling systems to support CSIRO science and achieve impact at farm, regional, national, and international scales. You will also maintain and manage model and software features and facilitate/co-facilitate training sessions for staff and external users; as well as provide leadership in maintaining and developing CSIRO’s capability in integrated crop-livestock systems and support innovative research using novel modelling approaches to generate industry impact. You will work closely alongside champions in this important research space.

The Software Solutions Team applies Agile development approaches (e.g., customer focus, user stories, continuous integration, refactoring, embracing simplicity, valuing face-to-face collaboration) using Github (https://github.com/APSIMInitiative/ApsimX) and Jenkins (jenkins.apsim.info). Our software is developed on, and tested for, Windows, Linux and MacOs, predominantly using Microsoft Tools (e.g. Visual Studio, .NET). 
 

Your duties will include:

• Assist in maintaining existing animal and pasture models within the GrassGro and GrazPlan software packages and provide technical support to model users as required.
• Assist in the curation and integration of our existing animal and pasture models and their migration into a modern codebase.
• Assist in the development of new integrated livestock systems modelling capability within APSIM and in redesign and refactoring existing code for improved performance and maintainability.
• Apply advanced modelling and data science workflows for biophysical and stochastic modelling of pastures, crops/forages, and ruminant models.
• Maintain cloud-based software for continuous integration and delivery systems.
• Provide software/modelling support for CSIRO projects solving real-world problems.
• Work within the team using agile software development principles.
• Respond courteously and efficiently to client requests, maintain clear communication regarding mutual expectations and monitor client satisfaction. 
• Communicate openly, effectively and respectfully with all staff, clients and suppliers in the interests of good business practice, enhancing CSIRO’s reputation.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team to carry out tasks in support of CSIRO’s scientific objectives.

Location:        Toowoomba, Qld initially then moving to a brand new research site in Forest Hill, Qld.  Forest Hill is situated west between Brisbane and Toowoomba making it an ideal location to avoid the commute into the city. 

Salary:            AU$93,267 - AU$105,517 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure:          Specified Term of 3 years

Reference:     96339

To be considered you will need:

Essential:

Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.

• A relevant bachelor's degree in software engineering or computer science including a strong mathematical component, plus several years post-graduate work experience within the software industry or academia.
• Demonstrated experience in C#, Python or equivalent and version control (e.g., GitHub).
• Experience in software process management, including user requirements, implementation, testing and refactoring for improved performance and maintainability.
• Ability to communicate and work well within a diverse team, and semi-independently.
• Willingness to learn new skills, such as our science, agriculture, or new technologies.
• Organised and detail oriented.
• A current driver's license.

Desirable:

• Experience or knowledge of livestock systems, agriculture and/or environmental science. 
• Experience using high-performance or cloud computing.
• Experience developing software for Microsoft Windows, Linux and Mac OSX.
• The ability to quickly learn and apply software libraries (e.g. from Microsoft NuGet, Python Libraries).

For full details about the role please view the Position Description.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this position, you must be an Australian/New Zealand Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or Australian Temporary Resident currently residing in Australia with a valid working visa to cover the length of the specified term without the requirement of visa sponsorship from CSIRO.

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 detailed cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

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

Monday, 12th August 2024, 11:00pm AEST