Chemical Engineer

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation; City of Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 135,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15.4% superannuation

Job summary

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is seeking a Chemical Engineer to lead innovative research in low-emission mining solutions. You will conduct lab and field experiments on methane abatement and dust monitoring, developing catalysts from concept to deployment.

The role requires a PhD in Chemical Engineering, a track record of original research, and experience with functional materials and catalysis.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering or relevant field.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative and innovative research.
• Publication history and/or grant/patent applications.
• Minimum five years of productive research after PhD.
• Strong knowledge of functional materials and catalysis.
• Experience in materials preparation and characterisation and heterogeneous catalyst development.
• Experience operating GC, MS, FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM.
• Ability to manage projects and deliver high‑quality reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop cost-effective catalysts with strong activity for methane abatement.
• Plan and conduct laboratory and field studies on mine ventilation and dust control.
• Lead and supervise researchers to deliver experiments safely and on time.
• Communicate findings through reports and publications.
• Contribute to safe, inclusive research environments aligned with CSIRO values.

Skills

Original research

Publications

Project leadership

Communication

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

GC

MS

FTIR

XRD

SEM

TEM

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

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 ourvision towards reconciliation .

Role highlights

• Develop catalyst materials for methane emissions abatement
• Deliver laboratory and field research supporting safer, more sustainable mining
• Join a multidisciplinary team tackling emissions, dust and waste challenges

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.

CSIRO's Environment and Sustainability Research Team is seeking a Chemical Engineer to undertake innovative research that supports lower-emission and more sustainable mining. The team works across emissions abatement, dust control and waste management, applying science and engineering to reduce environmental impacts across the resources sector.

In this role, you will work collaboratively across projects in fugitive emissions abatement and dust monitoring and mitigation. You will plan and conduct laboratory experiments and field activities focused on mine ventilation air methane abatement, methane catalyst development, and dust sampling and analysis.

Drawing on your expertise in functional materials and catalysis, you will generate and pursue original research ideas, contribute to industry projects and help translate promising catalyst technologies from fundamental development through to practical deployment. This is an opportunity to combine hands‑on research with scientific leadership and deliver outcomes with real environmental impact.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Develop cost-effective catalysts with strong activity and durability for fugitive methane abatement
• Prepare, characterise and evaluate fundamental and scaled structured catalysts for practical deployment
• Plan and conduct laboratory and field dust sampling, characterisation and analysis
• Investigate approaches to metalliferous dust suppression
• Formulate, develop and complete approved research activities using professional expertise and cross-disciplinary knowledge
• Take responsibility for smaller research projects or defined elements of larger projects across business units
• Lead and supervise staff to ensure experiments are delivered safely, on time and within budget
• Communicate research findings through client reports, scientific publications, presentations and patent documentation where relevant
• Contribute to safe, inclusive and collaborative research environments aligned with CSIRO values and requirements

Location and office arrangements: Brisbane, Pullenvale QLD

Salary: AU$135k – AU$158k per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation

Reference: 103746

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• A PhD in Chemical Engineering or a relevant field
• Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems
• A demonstrated publication history of authorship on peer-reviewed scientific papers and/or reports, grant applications or patent applications
• A minimum of five years of highly productive research experience following completion of a PhD, demonstrating increasing independence and research capability
• Strong fundamental knowledge of functional materials and catalysis
• Demonstrated expertise in materials preparation and characterisation, and heterogeneous catalyst development
• Experience operating laboratory instruments such as GC, MS, FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and deliver high-quality research proposals and project reports

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 let us know via email – [e-mail] how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

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.

Applications for this position are open to Australian and 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 clearance 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 .