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

• Are you experienced to deliver X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) characterisation in a wide range of mineral contexts, and to manage an International Proficiency Test for Chemical Analysis of Iron Ores?
• Join the Diffraction, Mineralogy and Geochemistry team of the CSIRO Mineral Resources (CMR) Characterisation Program
• Collaborative, flexible, innovative workplace that values you and your career development

CSIRO Mineral Resources (CMR) is one of the largest minerals research and development groups globally, with a proud track record in delivering innovation and solutions across the mineral resources value chain. We thrive on innovation harnessed by the diversity of the minds and lived experiences of our team and apply our expert knowledge and specialised research to provide innovation that solves the complex problems faced by minerals companies, mining equipment, technology, and services (METS) companies, government, and other industry stakeholders.

The Diffraction, Mineralogy and Geochemistry team of the CMR Characterisation Program is seeking an Experimental Scientist to join the team. The program delivers high quality and accurate information to improve understanding of mineral resources across the minerals value chain, from exploration to processing. The range of state-of-the-art analysis and characterisation capability includes X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron/optical microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, QEMSCAN, particle size analysis and high-resolution X-ray computed tomography.

You will have two main roles – to deliver X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) characterisation in a wide range of mineral contexts and to manage an International Proficiency Test for Chemical Analysis of Iron Ores.

Your duties will include:

• Deliver XRF-based characterisation services through development of methods and calibrations, data analysis and reporting, to external and internal customers across a wide range of mineral contexts.
• Contribute to the maintenance of a world-class characterisation laboratory, and development and application of specialised X-ray analysis techniques.
• Take on custodianship responsibilities of a laboratory housing multiple X-ray spectrometers and sample preparation equipment.
• Follow safe work practices when working with chemicals, hazardous materials, and scientific equipment.
• Communicate the outcomes of consulting/service work through reports and liaise with customers to ensure their satisfaction.
• Coordinate the preparation and distribution of samples for up to 80 laboratories worldwide on a two-monthly basis. Collate and assess the received data using existing statistical software and communicate results to participants within established timeframes to enable them to assess their analytical performance against other laboratories.
• Draft customer agreements and arrange invoices as required.
• Other duties as directed.

Location: Adelaide, SA

Salary:  AU$89k to AU$101kpa + up to 15.4% super

Tenure:  Indefinite

Reference:  90436

To be considered you will need:

1. Relevant Bachelors or Masters Degree or equivalent relevant work experience in Analytical Chemistry, Geochemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Minerals/Minerals Processing or Mineralogy.
2. Demonstrated experience in collection and analysis of XRF data for minerals characterisation in a research (or similar) environment.
3. Strong experience in sample preparation for XRF (e.g., using fused bead, powder and/or liquid samples).
4. Experience in the management of scientific equipment and tailoring data collection and analysis approaches to solve specific problems.
5. Demonstrated ability to liaise with customers and/or colleagues to establish their characterisation requirements and ensure customer satisfaction and carry out tasks autonomously in support of scientific research.
6. Demonstrated ability to set and manage schedules and ensure that others also adhere to deadlines.
7. Demonstrated strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed team.
8. Demonstrated ability & willingness to contribute novel ideas and approaches in support of scientific investigations.

Desirable

1. Demonstrated experience in establishing and modifying XRF calibrations.
2. Demonstrated understanding of the theory of XRF.
3. Understanding of statistics and outlier tests.
4. Experience in Visual Basic and/or other programming languages.
5. Understanding and appreciation of the role of Australian Standards (AS) and International Standards Organisation (ISO) Standard methods for international harmonisation.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents only. 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

11 December 2022, 11:00pm AEDT