Python Job: Soil Nitrogen Simulation Scientist

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 an expert in soil nitrogen cycling and simulation?
• Work with world leading Scientists and Software Engineers in multi-organisational project teams across Australia
• Undertake meaningful research to make a real-world difference

The role of a Research Scientist is to conduct innovative research leading to scientific achievements that are aligned with CSIRO’s strategies. The Research Scientist may be engaged in scientific activity ranging from fundamental research to the investigation of specific industry or community problems. The Research Scientist will have the opportunity to build and maintain networks, play a lead role in securing project funds, provide scientific leadership and pursue new ideas and approaches that create new concepts.

The specific focus of this position is soil nitrogen cycling, and its representation in simulation models. The Soil nitrogen simulation Scientist will work with a multi-organisational project team located across Australia with the primary responsibility to translate new insights into Nitrogen (N) cycling gained in the team’s experimental research into improved representation of Nitrogen cycling in the APSIM farming systems model.

Within CSIRO, the successful applicant will work with world leading Scientists and Software Engineers who are behind the organisation’s innovations in development and application of the APSIM farming systems model.

Your duties will include:

• Critique and propose improved ways of representing soil Nitrogen cycling in the APSIM NextGen model.
• Collate, format and manage data sets on soil Nitrogen cycling so they can be used in testing new soil N simulation capacity in APSIM NextGen.
• Work with Software Engineers to implement and test against validation data soil N simulation capacity in APSIM NextGen.
• Work with the project team to quantify through simulations losses of Nitrogen to the environment (particularly in the form of nitrous oxide) in Australian grains production systems.
• Help conceptualise, develop prototypes and test with farmers effective methods for identifying opportunities to increase efficiency of N fertiliser use in Australian grains production systems.
• Recognise opportunities for innovation and generate new theoretical perspectives by pursuing new ideas/approaches and networking with research colleagues across a range of disciplines
• Communicate results to scientific peers and stakeholders through publications, workshops, and demonstrations.
• Publish papers high quality scientific journals, and present research at relevant industry and academic conferences.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues within your team, the business unit, across CSIRO and other organisations.

Location: Brisbane or Canberra.
Salary: AU$102,724 - AU$111,165 per annum plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified Term of 4 years Full-time
Reference: 89292

To be considered you will need:

Essential

• A PhD (or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience) in a relevant discipline area, such as agri- or environmental-informatics or modelling with an agricultural, environmental and/or hydrological application; or a quantitative aspect of agricultural, soil and/or environmental science.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems.
• A demonstrated publication history of authorship on scientific papers in peer reviewed journals and/or reports, grant applications or inventorship on patent applications.
• A demonstrated history of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes in a collaborative environment.
• A proven ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, plus the motivation and discipline to carry out autonomous activities
• The demonstrated ability to effectively manage a number of competing priorities simultaneously and carry out non-routine tasks under general direction.
• Proven ability to investigate routine problems by identifying and considering the implications of a range of available alternative solutions.
• Possession (or ability to get) of a current C-class (car) driver’s licence.

Desirable

• Demonstrated theoretical and/or practical knowledge of nitrogen, carbon and water cycling, transformations and interactions within soil and plant systems, and their representations in simulation models.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of contemporary data management and analysis approaches (such as using R, python, javascript, etc.), and programming (e.g. C#).
• Experience with, and knowledge of agricultural production systems.
• Possession of (or ability to obtain) an Australian C class (motor car) license.
• Ability to travel to field sites and other locations for short time periods (e.g. 2-10 days).

Please briefly address the above selection criteria as part of your application.

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

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to all candidates. Visa sponsorship may be provided 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.

To enter a CSIRO site, CSIRO will require you to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (or show a valid medical exemption from vaccination). If you are unable to meet this requirement, then you must return a negative result on a Rapid Antigen Test (within 48 hours prior to attending site) and wear a face mask whilst on the CSIRO site. These requirements apply if you are attending a CSIRO site as part of a recruitment process.

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

Wednesday 16th November 2022, 11:00 pm AEDT.