Advertised Job Title:

CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Organic/Polymer Chemistry

Reference Number:

57013

Classification:

CSOF4

Salary Range:

AU $80k to AU $91k plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Location:

Clayton, Victoria

Tenure:

Specified Term of up to 3 years (or part time equivalent)

Relocation assistance:

Will be provided to the successful candidate if required.

Applications are open to:

  Australian Citizens Only

  Australian/New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents Only

•   All Candidates

Functional Area:

Research Scientist / Engineer - Postdoc

% Client Focus - Internal:

% Client Focus - External:

Reports to the:

Project Leader (Graeme Moad), Team Leader (Ranya Simons)

Number of Direct Reports:

Role Overview:

Postdoctoral Fellowships at CSIRO provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships will help launch their careers, provide experience that will enhance their career prospects, and facilitate the recruitment and development of potential leaders for CSIRO.

Postdoctoral Fellows are appointed for up to three years or part time equivalent and will work closely with a leading Research Scientist or Engineer in their respective field. They carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO with the possibility of novel and important scientific outcomes. They present the findings in appropriate publications and at conferences.

This role will appeal to candidates with a multi-disciplinary background, and will involve the design and synthesis of polymers. In addition, there is scope for commercial engagement for those applications that are proven to be industrially useful. The successful candidate will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team comprised of synthetic chemists, polymer chemists and engineers to help with these tasks.

Duties and Key Result Areas:

• Under the direction of senior research scientists, carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
• Undertake experimental work on the design and synthesis of well-defined (composition and molar mass dispersity) side or main chain liquid crystalline polymers.
• Undertake structure-properties study on the application of side or main chain liquid crystalline polymers in optical, optoelectronic or electrical devices.  This will involve device preparation and testing.
• Undertake regular reviews of relevant literature and patents.
• Produce high quality scientific and/or engineering papers suitable for publication in quality journals, for client reports and granting of patents.
• Prepare appropriate conference papers and present those at conferences as agreed with your supervisor.
• Contribute to the development of innovative concepts and ideas for further research.
• Make a contribution to the effective functioning of the research team and help deliver CSIRO’s organisational objectives and plans.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues within your team, the business unit and across CSIRO.
• Communicate effectively and respectfully with all staff, clients and suppliers in the interests of good business practice, collaboration and enhancement of CSIRO’s reputation.
• Adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Values, Health, Safety and Environment plans and policies, Diversity initiatives and Zero Harm goals.
• Undertake an appropriate training and development program developed by CSIRO.
• Other duties as directed.

CSIRO’s postdoctoral training program is developed between the Postdoctoral Fellow and a CSIRO scientist or engineer. The program will focus on enhancing the Fellows’ capabilities to the level expected of an independent researcher and will include on-the-job and course-based development encompassing:

• Discipline-specific techniques and protocols
• Professional growth
• Project management 
• Communication and influencing skills
• Working and collaborating with others
•  

Selection Criteria:

Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.

Pre-Requisites:

1. Education/Qualifications:  A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as organic chemistry or polymer chemistry.

Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or part time equivalent) of relevant postdoctoral experience.

2. Communication:  High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including at national and international conferences.
3. Publications: A record of publications in quality, peer reviewed journals.
4. Behaviours:  A history of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes in a collaborative environment.

Essential Criteria:

1. A sound working knowledge and hands-on familiarity with the design and implementation of the techniques of organic and polymer synthesis.
2. Experience with and understanding of the techniques of analytical chemistry associated with the characterization of polymers and small organic molecules and their use in problem solving.  These techniques could include spectroscopic (NMR, ESR, UV, IR, mass) and chromatographic (HPLC, GPC) methods.
3. The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team, plus the motivation and discipline to carry out autonomous research.
4. A record of science innovation and creativity, plus the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.

Desirable Criteria:

1. Demonstrable hands on experience in synthesis and properties of side or main chain liquid crystalline polymers and their precursors
2. Demonstrable hands on experience in techniques for reversible deactivation radical polymerization and their application to the synthesis of well-defined polymers including low dispersity polymers and block copolymers.
3. Demonstrable hands on experience in polymer synthesis during extrusion and in polymer processing.
4. Demonstrable hands on experience in device fabrication and testing, in particular, optical, optoelectronic or electrical devices.

As Australia’s Innovation Catalyst, CSIRO has strategic actions underpinned by behaviours aligned to:

• Excellent science
• Inclusion, trust & respect
• Health, safety & environment
• Delivery on commitments.

In your application and at interview you will need to demonstrate alignment with these behaviours.

To be appointed as a Postdoctoral Fellow within CSIRO, candidates are required to have submitted their PhD at the time of commencement, as a minimum requirement, if PhD conferment has not been obtained.  If a candidate has submitted, but their PhD has not yet been formally attained, the starting salary will be CSOF4-1 (AU$80,833).  Upon CSIRO receiving written confirmation that the PhD has been awarded (within a six month period from commencement date), the salary will be increased to the negotiated level and the difference will be back-paid to the Officer’s start date.

Special requirements:

Appointment to this role may be subject to conditions including security/medical/character clearance requirements. Applicants who are not Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents may be required to undergo additional security clearance processes; which may include medical examinations and an international standardised test of English language proficiency (i.e. IELTS test).- http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx

Other Information:

How to Apply

Please apply for this position online at https://jobs.csiro.au/ and enter requisition number 57013. Internal applicants please apply via ‘Jobs Central’ in SAP (click ‘Recruitment’) 

Please load your CV (Maximum 2MB). You may also be required to respond to some screening questions.  

If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 984 220 for assistance. Outside Australian business hours please email: csiro-careers@csiro.au.

Referees: Please provide contact details of two previous supervisor or academic/professional referees in your resume/CV. We will ask your permission before making contact.

Contact: If after reading the position details above you require more information please contact:

                Dr Graeme Moad via email: graeme.moad@csiro.au or phone: +61 3 9545 2509

Please do not email your application directly to Dr Moad. Applications received via this method may not be considered by the selection panel.

About CSIRO

Australia is founding its future on science and innovation. Its national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is a powerhouse of ideas, technologies and skills for building prosperity, growth, health and sustainability. It serves governments, industries, business and communities across the nation.

Find out more! www.csiro.au. 

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you.

Find out more! CSIRO Balance

CSIRO Manufacturing

This Business Unit delivers scientific and engineering innovations to transition Australian manufacturing, creating the jobs of the future, export growth and increasing the value of the sector.

Dr Graeme Moad FAA FRACI

CSIRO Fellow
CSIRO Manufacturing

Phone: +61 3 95452509
graeme.moad@csiro.au | http://people.csiro.au/M/G/Graeme-Moad | www.csiro.au | https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/MF
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