Research Project Officer - Chemist/Chemical Engineer

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

• Contribute to nationally significant research supporting Australia’s energy transition
• Hands-on operation and development of semi-pilot-scale gas processing and low-carbon liquid fuel technologies
• Opportunity to work across laboratory, pilot plant and field-based emissions monitoring projects

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

CSIRO’s Energy Research Unit is seeking a motivated Research Projects Officer to join its Emissions Research Team. This role plays a key part in advancing low-emissions technologies, including low-carbon liquid fuels and greenhouse gas monitoring solutions that support industrial and transport decarbonisation and carbon management.

Working alongside scientists and engineers, you will contribute to cutting-edge research through practical experimentation, semi-pilot scale facility operation, equipment development and data analysis. While the primary focus is on  low-carbon liquid fuel production and other gas processing technology development through CSIRO’s Syncat facility, there will be opportunities to support broader emissions monitoring and energy transition projects across CSIRO.

Your High-Level Duties Will Include:

• Operating, maintaining and supporting semi-pilot-scale gas and liquid processing equipment (e.g. Fischer–Tropsch, HEFA, and/or plasma reactors) and associated laboratory and field-based analytical systems in accordance with safe operating procedures
• Planning, designing and executing laboratory and semi-pilot-scale experiments, including the design of equipment (including the development of PFDs, P&IDs, heat and mass balances)
• Analysing gas processing products and greenhouse gas emissions using analytical chemical equipment, and interpreting experimental and field data
• Preparing technical reports and contributing to scientific publications and the communication of research outcomes
• Supporting emissions monitoring activities, including equipment deployment, calibration, logistics, procurement and occasional remote/off-road fieldwork
• Contributing to project planning, scoping and technical direction, developing novel techniques, and working collaboratively within multidisciplinary, geographically dispersed teams while upholding CSIRO’s values, safety and diversity commitment

Role Particulars

• Location and office arrangements: Kensington, Perth, WA
• Salary: AU$100k – AU$127k per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation
• Tenure & work schedule: Specified Term of 3 years, Full-time

Reference: 102094

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering or other relevant qualifications.
• Experience in the hands-on operation of complex laboratory or pilot scale gas processing or handling equipment (e.g. reactors, high pressure equipment, sampling and analysis equipment)
• Ability to design novel lab/pilot scale gas processing or handling equipment including performing design calculations relating to pressures, fluid flows and heat flows leading to final designs and final component selection.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate and lead cross-functionally with engineers, scientists, and researchers to leverage collective expertise in achieving project goals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply scientific principles to practical challenges.
• A current driver’s licence

 For full details about this role, and other 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 Laura Mason via email at Careers.Online@csiro.au.

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 Citizens, New Zealand Citizens, and Australian Permanent Residents. 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 cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications Close

26 January 2026, 11:00pm AEDT