Postdoctoral Fellowship in Environmental Sample Characterisation - CSIRO - EducationCareer

First listed on: 30 January 2019

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Environmental Sample Characterisation

  • Use your skills to research components in dust - help address environmental concerns.
  • Offering outstanding career development and professional support
  • Join CSIRO - Australia's premier science and technology research organisation

The Position

CSIRO Energy is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Fellow for the characterisation of coal and other particulates in dust and other environmental samples.

CSIRO’s Coal/Component Grain Analysis (CGA) is a method of particle analysis based on petrographic techniques. It uses image analysis techniques to analyse images of petrographic sample mounts collected from an optical reflected light microscope to provide a calibrated reflectance fingerprint of individual particles greater than one micron for characterisation and interpreted for specific applications. CGA information is currently able to inform all steps in the coal value chain as well as help address environmental concerns.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the application of CGA method to the assessment of coal and other components in dust and other environmental samples. You will undertake research to investigate whether this method could be applied to other types of materials such as biochars. 

Your duties will include

  • Analyse dust and other environmental samples using the CGA system and report the results to clients. This will be done under the supervision of the Coal Characterisation Laboratory Coordinator initially and over time it is anticipated that the post doc will take a leadership role in this area.
  • Lead research which demonstrates that the CGA method can provide valuable information for other environmental samples (e.g., sediments, biochars, tailings). This may require the integration of CGA information with information obtained from other analytical methods.
  • Develop collaborative links and ultimately projects with national and international researchers undertaking aerosol research to quantify the amount of coal and the size distribution of coal particulates in urban areas associated with high coal usage (mining, ports, steel mills, power stations).
  • Provide support as required for projects which apply CGA to coal exploration and utilisation studies.

Location:       Pullenvale QLD
Salary:          AU$82,450 - AU$93,280 plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:         Specified term of 3 years
Reference:    60301

To be successful you will need

  • A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as Material Science, Chemical Engineering or Environmental Science.
  • Experience in the use of advanced analytical methods for the analysis of environmental samples.  
  • Advanced skills in the analysis and integration of complex data sets obtained using multiple methods. This may have been obtained at university or through external activities.
  • 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.
  • A record of science innovation and creativity, plus the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.

Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience.

For details about who to contact and for more information please view the Position Description

Flexible Working Arrangements

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. Balance

About CSIRO

At CSIRO you can be part of helping to solve big, complex problems that make a real difference to our future. We spark off each other, learn from each other, trust each other and collaborate to achieve more than we could individually in a supportive, rewarding, inclusive and truly flexible environment.

CSIRO’s Commitment to Diversity

We’re working hard to recruit diverse people and ensure all our people feel supported to do their best work and empowered to let their ideas flourish.

Apply Online

To apply online, please provide a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role.

Applications Close

Friday 01 March 2019 at 11.59pm AEDT