Director, Computational Science

Geoscience Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Geoscience Australia seeks a Director of Computational Science to lead a newly established section in the Advanced Science Branch. You will guide AI foundation models, computational modelling, and data interoperability to maximise insights from Australia’s geoscience data.

The role requires senior leadership across multidisciplinary teams and collaboration with government, industry and research bodies. You will manage compliance with AI standards, drive scalable solutions, and mentor staff while

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams on complex technical projects.
• Knowledge of AI/ML concepts and practical applications in software/data solutions.
• Experience with cloud computing services and HPC infrastructure.
• Understanding of best-practice software development standards.
• Strong knowledge of geoscience information, data interoperability and related systems.
• History of driving stakeholder collaboration and workflow improvements.
• Track record of delivering outcomes for stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for the Computational Modelling section in line with priorities.
• Build internal and external relationships to grow computational modelling capability.
• Provide leadership in shaping national approaches to geoscience data and modelling.
• Oversee development of AI models and scientific software with interoperable data.
• Ensure adherence to government AI standards and ethics.
• Mentor and develop team members; promote inclusive culture.
• Coordinate with internal/external partners to maximise impact.

Skills

Team leadership

AI/ML concepts

Cloud computing

Software development standards

Geoscience information

Stakeholder engagement

Project delivery

Job description

Geoscience Australia values the lands, water and sky as we work to deepen a shared understanding of Country and Earth. We respect First Nations peoples and their enduring connection, contribution and obligations to Country. Reflecting on our shared history, we are committed to listen and learn.

About us

Geoscience Australia brings together science, data and technology to provide geoscience insights that inform decision-making by government and industry, support innovation, and contribute to Australia's safety, resilience and prosperity.

Our work spans the Australian continent, marine jurisdiction and Antarctic territory, from space to the Earth’s core. We deliver national-scale data, services and infrastructure and work with partners to deepen understanding of Australia and respond to the opportunities and challenges facing our nation.

Our culture

Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.

Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offers a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements.

What we can offer you

At Geoscience Australia, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant science, data and technology that makes a difference to Australia. You’ll work alongside people with diverse expertise and experience, with opportunities to learn, develop and contribute to work with real-world impact.

We offer competitive employment conditions, flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people.

Our team

This role is based within the Computational Modelling team in the Advanced Science Branch, part of the Minerals, Energy and Groundwater (MEG) Division. The Advanced Science Branch provides scientific oversight across the division with a focus on the Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity initiative and provides dedicated technical leadership and advice on the application of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to emerging challenges in resource geoscience.

The goal of the team is to improve productivity within Geoscience Australia and the Australian resources sector by driving development and training of geoscience AI models across a range of modalities that leverage the richness of Australia’s geoscience and related data. This includes adapting and developing frontier models within specific domains, including geology, geochemistry, geophysics and 3D modelling.

The team works closely with the Data Interoperability and Remediation team in the Advanced Science Branch to ensure both teams are aligned towards the common goal of driving new technologies to advance Australian geoscience. The team will also closely collaborate with other teams across Geoscience Australia, the Australian Government, publicly funded research organisations, industry and communities.

The role

The Director, Computational Science will lead a newly established section in the Advanced Science Branch focused on developing and operationalising AI foundation models and other computational modelling approaches to maximise insights from Australia's corpus of geoscience data. They will lead a diverse team of computational geoscientists, software engineers, subject matter experts and data specialists to deliver computational models, guide the creation of AI-ready datasets, implement novel algorithms, and help automate scientific workflows.

The role will collegiately set the strategic direction for the section with an emphasis on development and application of frontier AI models and creation of interoperable AI-ready geoscience data. They will manage compliance with Australian Government AI Technical Standards, ensuring alignment with AI Ethics Principles and broader governance frameworks. They will manage implementations of solution ensuring sustainable scalability and maintainability within agreed budget envelopes and agency settings. They will also coordinate the work of the section with internal and external counterparts. The role will be essential in ensuring the data and models are fit for purpose for Minerals, Energy and Groundwater Division applications to increase productivity and within Geoscience Australia and the Australian resources sector. To this end the Director will be required to represent Geoscience Australia at both technical and non-technical forums.

The Director is a senior leader within the Minerals, Energy and Groundwater Division and will report to the Branch Head, Advanced Science Branch. The role will work closely with science leaders, digital delivery teams, enterprise capability areas, jurisdictional partners, publicly funded research organisations, communities and industry to maximise impacts of the section, branch and Geoscience Australia.

In this role you will:

• Collegiately set the strategic direction for the Computational Modelling section, ensuring the section’s activities are aligned with organisational priorities, developing clear plans, expectations and outcomes.
• Proactively build and nurture relationships with internal and external stakeholders to build computational modelling capability in the Advanced Science Branch.
• Provide expert leadership in shaping national approaches to geoscience data and computational modelling, influencing capability planning across the division.
• Collaborate in an agile environment with external partners where you will provide oversight, governance, and strategic coordination for the development of AI models, and scientific computing software and advise on interoperable data utilised by the models.
• Implement best practice software engineering and government standards including continuous integration/delivery, refactoring, unit-testing, automation and ethics.
• Lead the team as a strategic thinker, and build organisational capability by developing people, strengthening specialist expertise, managing resources and fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Actively mentor and support team members by sharing your expertise in scientific software development, AI/ML science, and best practices software engineering standards and data.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer through regular technical discussions, internal presentations, and collaborative workshops.

To be successful in the role you will:

• Inspire a clear sense of purpose and direction, linking the work of the section to Geoscience Australia’s strategic priorities and broader whole-of-government outcomes.
• Engage and empower people by fostering an inclusive, diverse, and safe working environment.
• Demonstrate strong problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and explore innovative solutions collaboratively across teams, organisations and technical challenges.'
• Nurture internal and external relationships working towards mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Communicate with influence and integrity, adapting messages for technical and non-technical audiences and building trust through clear, accountable leadership.
• Model commitment to building a positive and inclusive culture and resilience in dealing with uncertainty and change
• Value technical inquisitiveness, experimentation and excellence.
• Adhere to the APS Values and Code of Conduct and consistently behave in an honest, ethical and professional way

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivering complex technical projects with multiple collaborators.
• Experience with AI/ML concepts and frameworks, along with their practical applications in software and/or data solutions
• Experience with cloud computing services and high-performance computing infrastructure
• Knowledge of best-practice software development standards
• Strong understanding of geoscience information, data stewardship, interoperability, digital delivery and related scientific information systems and their role in enabling AI development and training.
• History of driving positive change and improvements in stakeholder workflows and organisational culture
• A track record of project delivery that yields positive outcomes for stakeholders

Use of AI in Recruitment

Geoscience Australia may use Microsoft Copilot to support limited administrative and preparatory aspects of the recruitment process. Artificial Intelligence is not used to assess or select candidates, and all decisions are human-led and based on merit.

Candidates must ensure their application reflects their own skills, experience and capabilities. Any use of AI must be responsible, transparent where required, and must not misrepresent their suitability for the role.

Candidates will be asked to disclose their use of AI when submitting an application and may also be asked to do so at various stages throughout the recruitment process.

Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment, as well as the Principles for agency use of AI in recruitment which outline expectations for the responsible, ethical and transparent use of AI when applying for APS roles.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this position you must meet the below eligibility criteria.

• Be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application.
• The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of an appropriate level relevant to this role.
• Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre- employment screening, which includes a police history check.

Recruitability

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position. For more information please visit the Australian Public Service Commission website.

Hearing or speech impaired applicants are invited to use the National Relay Service by contacting 133 677, and requesting to be connected with our Recruitment and Delivery team on 02 6249 9777 in order to obtain selection documentation.

Technical Assistance

If you require technical assistance, call our Recruitment and Delivery team on [phone] or email [e-mail].

A merit list/pool may be created from this process. If you are successful for the merit pool, your details may be shared with other Australian Public Service agencies unless you choose not to have your details disclosed.