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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

• Great opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research projects that improves mine safety & operational efficiency
• Apply your skills in distributed fibre optic sensing (DFOS), geophysics, and machine learning to real-world challenges
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop innovative solutions for a more sustainable resources sector!

The opportunity

Are you passionate about advancing technologies that make mining operations safer, smarter, and more sustainable? Join CSIRO’s Distributed Mine Sensing Team in the Sustainable Mining Technologies research program, where your expertise in sensing technologies and data analysis will directly contribute to improving geotechnical risk management across the mining industry.

In this role, you will work at the forefront of distributed fibre optic sensing (DFOS) innovation, applying methods such as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), distributed temperature sensing (DTS), and distributed strain sensing (DSS) across both laboratory and field environments. You'll collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team to design experiments, develop software tools, and leverage machine learning to automate and enhance the interpretation of complex datasets.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to projects that bridge fundamental research and real-world applications. You'll engage with internal stakeholders and industry partners, helping to translate scientific discoveries into practical outcomes that align with CSIRO’s mission to deliver a safer, more sustainable future for the mining sector.

If you enjoy working in a collaborative team and contributing to work that creates real impact, this exciting role presents a great platform to further enhance your skills and experience, and we would love to hear from you soon!

Your high-level duties will include:

• Contributing to innovative geotechnical and geophysical research, focusing on the development and application of distributed fibre optic sensing (DFOS) technologies such as DAS, DTS, and DSS for mine safety and infrastructure monitoring.
• Undertaking detailed analysis of DAS data to assess mining-induced fracturing response in contexts such as block caving and longwall mining, along with the deployment and operation of advanced field monitoring systems that support geotechnical risk evaluation.
• Designing, installing, and maintaining geophysical networks – such as microseismic arrays and fibre-optic sensing systems – to detect seismic activity and better understand rock mass behaviour and failure mechanisms.
• Undertaking software development, including creating, adapting, and maintaining tools for data acquisition, processing, and interpretation.
• Applying machine learning techniques to automate the analysis of large-scale DFOS datasets, and utilising existing knowledge and experience in developing algorithms and signal processing workflows suited to novel sensing applications.
• Conducting laboratory experiments using distributed temperature and strain sensing (DTSS) systems to assess the structural behaviour of assets such as tailings dams. In field settings, analysing data collected from mechanical and seismic sensors during drilling operations to characterise geomechanical properties in real time.
• Contributing to project planning, including scheduling, experimental design, data collection, and analysis.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Brisbane (Pullenvale), QLD

Salary: AU$96K – AU$109K pa + up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Specified Term of 18 months; Full-time (flexible work options may be considered, based on needs of the role and individual circumstances)

Reference: 99962

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• Bachelor of Science degree with major in Physics, Geophysics or Mathematics.
• Theoretical and applied knowledge of distributed fibre optic sensing measurement systems (DAS, DTS and DSS).
• Experience in designing, installing, and maintaining geophysical networks (such as microseismic arrays and fibre-optic sensing systems), and analysing the network data.
• At least 12 months’ industry experience writing code for advanced data analysis in programming languages such as Python, R, Matlab, or C/C++/C#.
• Experience with Machine Learning algorithms, including training models on interpreting geophysical data.
• Competent ability in using MS Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• A current Australian Driver’s licence (or the ability & willingness to obtain it).
• A current Standard 11 Surface Mining induction certificate (or the ability & willingness to obtain it).
• Willingness and ability to travel to remote mine sites for field deployments for up to several weeks at a time.

For full details about this role, and desirable criteria, 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.

Applications close

28 May 2025, 11:00pm AEST

We strongly encourage you to apply early as we will be reviewing applications as they come through.