Research Group Leader - Pests and Diseases

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. 

Role Highlights

• Inspire and lead a diverse team driving innovation in crop science and protection
• Shape strategic research that tackles Australia’s biggest agricultural challenges
• Drive collaboration and innovation to deliver real-world impact in crop science

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.

The Opportunity

Join CSIRO’s Crops Program to lead cutting-edge research addressing crop pests and diseases through advanced genetics and innovative technologies. As Group Leader, you’ll drive scientific excellence and strategic direction while managing a talented team and a research portfolio focused on protecting key crops like cereals and legumes from major threats. The successful candidate will provide strong operational and capability leadership, while actively advancing business development, project management, and scientific innovation.

If you’re passionate about delivering impactful science and fostering a creative, collaborative culture, with strong national and international networks, this is your opportunity to make a real difference in future crop breeding and protection.

Your High-Level Duties Will Include:

• Lead and inspire diverse science teams to deliver high-impact projects within Agriculture & Food’s Crops Program, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, inclusion, and innovation.
• Attract, develop, and retain world-class talent, creating a supportive environment that empowers individuals to achieve their personal and CSIRO’s strategic goals.
• Drive science impact planning and oversee delivery of complex projects, ensuring alignment with program objectives and stakeholder expectations.
• Build and nurture strong partnerships with stakeholders and clients to secure investment and support for innovative science initiatives.
• Champion change management and open communication, promoting collaboration, respect, and a positive workplace culture.
• Strategically manage resources, including staff allocation and financial oversight, to optimise project outcomes and long-term program sustainability.
• Develop and maintain national and international research collaborations and professional networks to enhance program reach and impact.

Role Particulars

• Location: Canberra, ACT
• Salary: AU$157,833 to AU$174,631 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) + 15.4% superannuation
• Tenure & work schedule: Specified term of 3 years            
• Reference: 101105

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential Criteria

• A PhD (or equivalent) with managerial experience or qualifications; or managerial qualifications combined with significant experience and depth of understanding of science from either a research or industry background.
• Proven leadership in a relevant field with demonstrated experience in designing and implementing novel approaches in crop genetic improvement for pest and/or disease resistance.
• A thorough understanding of impact pathways, and the criteria for successful adoption of novel selection methods, traits and varieties.
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal and people leadership skills, including ability to build collective direction across diverse disciplinary teams, navigate contentious issues, set guiding boundaries, reach consensus or compromise, and foster collaboration to achieve shared goals.
• Evidence of engagement across a range of stakeholder types, resulting in strong and lasting relationships with successful business development outcomes that supports public good and commercial outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead individual and groups of projects of scale and/or complexity and manage financial and project performance.
• Demonstrated commitment and success in mentoring, coaching, and developing staff, fostering individual growth, managing performance, and building cohesive high-performing teams.

For full details about this role, and other 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 Laura Mason via Careers.Online@csiro.au and let us know how we can support you.

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.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents, and Australian Temporary Residents with a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

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 submit a CV and cover letter (maximum 2 pages) that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the selection criteria of this role.

Applications Close

26 October 2025, 11:00pm AEDT