Job Ad

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

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.

Role highlights

• Develop and utilise digital technologies to drive livestock research forward
• Tackle industry challenges in sustainability and animal health, nutrition, & reproductive efficiency
• Advance your career with CSIRO – Australia’s National Science and Innovation Agency!

The opportunity

CSIRO Agriculture and Food (A&F) brings together cutting-edge science, technology, and deep industry knowledge to improve the sustainability, productivity, and resilience of Australia’s food and fibre industries. Within our Livestock and Aquaculture research program, the ‘Digital Livestock’ team is advancing next-generation livestock farming through the integration of sensor technologies, data science, and systems modelling.

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Digital Livestock Scientist to join this dynamic team! You will play a key role in designing and delivering research that applies data analytics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, sensor technologies, and systems modelling to real-world challenges in livestock production. Some of this work is based at our research station in Chiswick (near Armidale), where we’re connecting digital data flows with livestock systems models to support evidence-based decision-making for farmers. Recent initiatives such as eGrazor and EweWatch highlight the kinds of digital approaches being used to explore feed intake, behaviour, and productivity outcomes. As part of this team, you will contribute to a key capability, and play a vital role in widening CSIRO’s portfolio of digital livestock approaches.

This is a transdisciplinary role suited to experienced data scientists with a proven interest in livestock production systems, or animal scientists with advanced skills in coding or informatics. You'll collaborate across CSIRO’s Agriculture and Food business unit, with opportunities to contribute towards shaping new research directions, lead project initiatives, and deliver real-world solutions that support productive and responsible livestock farming in a changing environment. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!

Applications are assessed across two capability levels, and the successful candidate will be appointed at the level commensurate with their skills and experience. Please refer to the Position Description for more details.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Incorporating novel approaches to scientific investigations by adapting and/or developing original concepts and ideas for new, existing, and further research, with a focus on boundary spanning, trans-disciplinary approaches.
• Working closely with colleagues and industry to develop impact-focused digital technologies.
• Developing data flows to augment the annotation, integration, and analysis of diverse data, in collaboration with Data61 data scientists.
• Applying advanced data science workflows for integration of multi-modal data streams.
• Utilising data science strategies to analyse and evaluate data, and managing data curation, storage, and data sharing in accordance with best practise guidelines.
• Producing high quality scientific and/or engineering papers suitable for publication in quality journals and for presentation at national and international conferences.
• At the higher CSOF6 capability level, additional duties would also include leading & taking responsibility for research projects, and providing leadership to technical staff and students.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Armidale NSW (preferred), or Brisbane QLD may be considered

Salary: AU$114K – AU$153K pa + up to 15.4% superannuation (across two capability levels)

Tenure & work schedule: Specified Term of 3 years; Full-time (flexible work options may be considered, based on needs of the role and individual circumstances)

Reference: 98764

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Applications would be assessed according to the Selection Criteria listed below and the level they’re met, and the successful candidate will be considered/appointed at the capability level commensurate with their skills and experience, as assessed by the Selection Panel.
 

• A PhD (or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience) in a relevant animal science or data science field.
• Demonstrated understanding of animal production and/or livestock farming systems.
• Broad understanding of agri-food systems and an interest in deepening knowledge of current global and national issues.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and undertake original, creative, and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems.
• Demonstrated experience in the development of digital workflows, including data annotation.
• Demonstrated experience in data science and statistical analysis, coding and/or related analytical methods, and expert usage of statistical software packages, such as R, Matlab, Python, C.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific content clearly and effectively to a range of audiences.
• A demonstrated publication history of authorship on scientific papers in peer reviewed journals and/or reports, grant applications or inventorship on patent applications.

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 the Talent Acquisition Partner via email (see details in the Position Description) and let us know how we can support you. 

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to all candidates – Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents, or candidates who either hold, or are able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term (visa sponsorship and relocation assistance may be provided to the successful candidate if required).
Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

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 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.

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.

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.

If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition Partner (see details in Position Description). 

Applications close

27 May 2025, 11:00pm AEST