Post Doctoral Fellowship in CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Australia

We are seeking to appoint a scientist to join the Climate Variability and Climate Change Program in the area of climate diagnostics, and climate change detection and attribution, focusing on the South Australia region. The position arises from the newly established research programme “Goyder Institute” – a research alliance between the South Australia Government, universities, and CSIRO through its National Flagship- Water for a Healthy Country. The Goyder Institute will provide leadership and direction in Water Sciences Research to address policy outcomes for the South Australian Government.

Specifically you will:

Document and manipulate data sets for research in climate detection and attribution in the South Australia region.
Undertake a broad range of tasks of high complexity, including statistical analysis of time series and spatial patterns of climate and environmental data, to understand key climate drivers affecting South Australia climate.
Assist in running a coupled climate model to test the hypothesis of climate mechanisms and processes.
Benchmark climate models in terms of their simulation of associated mechanisms and impacts of climate drivers.

Location: Aspendale, Victoria
Salary: $73K – $80K pa plus up to 15.4% Superannuation
Ref No: 2010/779

To be successful you will have

A PhD or equivalent in climate (oceanography/meteorology), climate modeling, or environmental data processing and analysis, or related field.
Experience in running various configurations of ocean and atmosphere models for understanding mechanisms/processes, and in handling large climate datasets in various formats (e.g., NetCDF, HDF5, GRIB, ASCII).
Demonstrated strong ability in writing computer programs and in data analysis method/approach and techniques.

The position will be based at Aspendale, Victoria, as part of the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research (CAWCR) – a partnership between CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology. Find out more information about the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research at the CAWCR website at: www.cawcr.gov.au

About CSIRO:

Australia is founding its future on science and innovation. Its national science agency, 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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are encouraged to apply for all CSIRO positions.

The Climate Variability and Change Program

The Climate Variability and Change program seeks to deliver new knowledge and applications for decision-making in climate-sensitive industries and to understand and project climate variability and change and its impacts to improve adaptive responses and to inform policy and decision making. As such, research in the CVC program covers time-scales from weeks to decades, and includes multi-week prediction, seasonal prediction, and climate change projections. The program interacts strongly with the operational sections of the Bureau of Meteorology, particularly the National Climate Centre, and with a number of the CSIRO National Research Flagships.

See http://www.cawcr.gov.au/research/cvc/index.php for more details.

Position Description

The appointee will conduct research in understanding processes responsible for and impacting on South Australia climate variability and change, and in turn, on natural resource management and water availability, under the “Climate Driver” project within the Goyder Climate Change Program. Although there has been a large body of work addressing similar issues in the wider southeast Australia region, little work has focused on the unique dynamics and circulation features of the South Australia region.

The Post Doctoral Research Fellow will examine the impacts of climate drivers in observations and climate models datasets for better understanding regional climate change across South Australia.

Key duties will include the following:

Document and manipulate data sets for research in climate detection and attribution in the the South Australia region.
Undertake a broad range of tasks of high complexity, including statistical analysis of time series and spatial patterns of climate and environmental data, to understand key climate drivers affecting South Australia climate.
Assist in running a coupled climate model to test the hypothesis of climate mechanisms and processes.
Benchmark climate models in terms of their simulation of associated mechanisms and impacts of climate drivers.
Present results in team discussions, national conferences/workshops, and write up results for milestone reports and scientific papers for peer-reviewed journals.
Contribute to the effective functioning of the Climate Projections Science Team and help deliver upon CSIRO’s organisational objectives.

Key capabilities:

A creative and innovative approach to problem solving;
Ability to understand and convey ideas and information;
A team player, who values and respects other team members and their contributions, to the overall team objectives;
Ability to act on own initiative, and take responsibility for delivery of outcomes.

Selection Criteria

Pre-Requisite

The successful appointee must have completed the requirements for a PhD. Owing to terms of the fellowship, candidates must not have more than 3 years relevant Post-Doctoral Experience

Essential:

A PhD or equivalent in climate (oceanography/meteorology), climate modeling, or environmental data processing and analysis, or related field.
Demonstrated experience in running various configurations of ocean and atmosphere models for understanding mechanisms/processes, and in handling large climate datasets in various formats (e.g., NetCDF, HDF5, GRIB, ASCII).
Demonstrated strong ability in writing computer programs and in data analysis method/approach and techniques.
Demonstrated ability to work flexibly and independently as well as part of a team and to form and maintain effective working relationships with a range of colleagues and collaborators.
Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to document results and communicate effectively with colleagues and clients in order to meet project goals and timelines.

Desirable:

Demonstrated experience and skill in sophisticated Statistical methods.
Demonstrated experience using data visualisation software (e.g., Ferret, NCL, Matlab).

CSIRO is a values based organisation. In your application and at interview you will need to demonstrate behaviours aligned to our values of:

Integrity of excellent science
Building trust and respect each day
Initiative to explore new horizons
Delivering on commitments
Safety and sustainability

More Information

How to Apply:

You are required to include two (2) documents:
(1) a document addressing the Selection Criteria; and
(2) a “Resume or CV” including the names of at least two professional referees.

To address the Selection Criteria please write a paragraph or two using each selection criterion as a heading and outline how you are able to meet that criteria. Applicants who do not address the selection criteria may not be considered. For assistance when preparing your application please read the information available at “Guidelines for Applicants”

Applications:

Before you apply please ensure that your documents are in Text, MS Word or PDF. Please also ensure your file is not larger than 1MB in PDF format, or 2MB for all other formats.

CSIRO prefers applications be lodged online via this careers site.

If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 301 509 and someone will be able to assist you. Outside business hours please email: csiro-careers@csiro.au.

If you are unable to lodge your application online you can send your completed application and copies of any supporting documentation quoting reference number 2010/779 to:

CSIRO Careers Online
PO Box 225
DICKSON ACT 2602

Contact: If after reading the selection documentation you require further information please contact Dr Cai Wenju via email wenju.cai@csiro.au or phone +61 3 9239 4419

Please do not email your application directly to Dr Cai. Applications received via this method will not be considered. You must use the ‘Apply Now‘ link, or an alternative method of submission as outlined above.

CSIRO Vision, Purpose & Beliefs

CSIRO’s purpose is to deliver great science and innovative solutions for industry, society and the environment by igniting the creative spirit of our people. People are at the centre of everything we do. We work to create the right environment to amplify our talent. It is not enough just to have a great idea; we must have impact, solve problems and make a difference. We take a triple bottom line focus in our activities, balancing between commerce and the public good. Great science is our foundation. Getting it out there is our aim.

Description of the Research/Business Group

CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR) is a Business Unit within the Environment Group, one of five Science Research Groups operating within the CSIRO Research Enterprise. CMAR is the largest Business Unit by expenditure and revenue in CSIRO with an annual budget in excess of $90m and employs more than 550 dedicated research and support staff.

CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research aims to advance the Australian climate, marine and earth systems science. Our research focuses on issues affecting Australia and the world, and we provide a range of scientific and consulting services that are underpinned by this research.

CSIRO operates a matrix structure with CMAR’s research outputs largely delivered through one of six Flagship Programs supplemented by Business Unit Science Themes as appropriate. The Environment Group has three Business Units (including CMAR) and two Flagships including Water for a Healthy Country, and Climate and Adaptation National Research Flagship. CMAR is involved in a joint venture with the Bureau of Meteorology forming The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, which was established by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology to ensure that Australia remains a world leader in climate, weather and earth systems science research.

CMAR’s staff are located at sites in five states: Aspendale, Victoria; Canberra, ACT; Cleveland, Queensland; Floreat, Western Australia; and Hobart, Tasmania, where the Headquarters are located. CMAR also manages the National Facility – RV Southern Surveyor, and a new vessel is being designed, built and commissioned by CSIRO through the Future Research Vessel Project, an initiative of the Australian Government being conducted as part of the Super Science Initiative and financed from the Education Investment Fund.

For further information about CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, visit our website at www.csiro.au/cmar