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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

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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

• Play a pivotal multi-faceted role in advancing sustainable livestock production
• Great opportunity to enhance your project coordination and leadership skills
• Join our innovative team at Lansdown Research Station and help create real impact!

At CSIRO, we collaborate closely with livestock farmers and allied industries to enhance their productivity, profitability, and sustainability through better livestock breeds and management practices. Our Lansdown Research Station, located approximately 45 km outside Townsville QLD, conducts innovative research to optimise productivity and environmental aspects of northern cattle systems. Our work ranges from methane mitigation research to precision livestock management and improving cattle efficiency on pasture.

Joining our ‘Northern Cattle Production’ team at Lansdown Research Station, you will contribute to groundbreaking research aimed at increasing the economic value of livestock industries. Our team generates high-value products for Australian and export markets by integrating animal and microbial genomics, advanced nutritional formulation, and digital sensing for feed intake and animal behaviour. We have a successful track record of securing external funds to address industry priority areas, including our contribution to the cattle industry’s strategy to become carbon neutral by 2030.

This is a strategically important coordinating role, which will involve efficiently coordinating R&D activities and closely collaborating with livestock researchers primarily based in Townsville and Brisbane; overseeing research station project staff and coordinating with farm operation staff to effectively manage livestock research activities; establishing and maintaining strong collaborative partnerships and balancing the needs of farm operations and research activities; as well as planning and executing experiments to study the effects of diet intervention strategies on animal and microbial community structure and function, focusing on production, resilience, behavioural, and sustainability traits; and utilising digital technology and data collection tools to support research initiatives.

If you have a passion for contributing to research and finding solutions for Australian livestock, and you excel in project coordination and stakeholder management, we would love to hear from you! This is a great opportunity to be part of a dynamic team that’s making a significant impact on the future of livestock production and sustainable agriculture!

Your duties will include:

• Coordinating the activities of onsite project offices within the team to deliver effective research outcomes.
• Participating in project scoping and planning, making significant contributions to the research or technological direction, and may advise on the level and type of services that are provided.
• Closely coordinating with research staff in the planning and preparation of research projects.
• Communicating effectively with farm staff to accommodate both research and farm objectives.
• Collecting and processing data in an accurate manner and preparing reports for the team.
• Addressing problems promptly and in a constructive manner and promptly communicating actions to the team.
• Undertaking experimental and/or observational research activities, often requiring the supervision and/or training of others to ensure experiments are established in accordance with research design.

Location: Woodstock, QLD – CSIRO Lansdown Research Station (relocation assistance will be provided to the successful candidate if required)

Salary: AU$114K – AU$123K pa + up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified Term of 3 years; Full-time

Reference: 98739

To be considered you will need:

• Relevant tertiary degree in Agricultural Science, and/or significant relevant experience in Agricultural Science.
• Qualifications and/or demonstrated experience in relevant digital technology.
• Experience in working with a research organisation and establishing and maintaining relationships with researchers.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, and ability to negotiate positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, and work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed team, and carry out tasks autonomously.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to contribute novel ideas and approaches.
• A current Australian driver’s licence.

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, a New Zealand Citizen, or an Australian Permanent Resident.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements. Due to the nature of this position, the successful candidate should also be able and willing to travel to field sites and remote locations as project requirements arise.

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 a detailed cover letter, responding to each of the selection criteria in detail, 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

2 March 2025, 11:00pm AEDT