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

The Opportunity

• Are you an early career researcher looking to jumpstart your career with a background in physics or electrical engineering?
• Do you have experience measuring the performance of solar PV cells or modules?
• Join CSIRO and conduct innovative research with a leading research organisation!

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years of relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.

The CERC Fellow will play a critical role in the operation and growth of CSIRO’s Solar PV Performance Laboratory. They will share responsibility for procurement, commissioning and operation of three new facilities for solar photovoltaics testing at the Newcastle site. Working in a team of scientists, they will use these facilities for R&D associated with new thin-film solar PV technologies, including perovskite and organic solar cells. The research will likely include developing new approaches to reliable measurement of performance for these devices.

Your duties will include:

• Conduct research to develop/improve methods for accurately measuring the electrical performance of metastable solar cells in the indoor and outdoor environment.
• Contribute to the development of new thin-film solar PV technologies, particularly with regard to their durability under accelerated exposure testing.
• Develop and perform complex calculations to determine measurement uncertainty using formal methods.
• Contribute to the operation of CSIRO’s IEC 17025 accredited PV Performance Laboratory, e.g. measurements for customers, and compliance activities such as documentation of procedures and managing calibration providers.
• Assist a Technical Officer in the selection, procurement, commissioning and operation of three significant new equipment items.

Location: Newcastle, NSW

Salary: AU$89k - AU$98k plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified term of 3 years

Reference: 90152

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) OR hold an engineering degree plus a Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Engineering (MEng) qualifications (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a masters) plus equivalent levels of original and significant contributions to research and development to that expected of someone of a new PhD graduate. The doctorate or masters must be in a relevant discipline area, such as physics or electrical engineering. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or part-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• A sound understanding of the fundamental principles underpinning the operation of solar cells.
• Experience working with solar photovoltaic modules (can be either commercial scale modules or research-scale devices with multiple interconnected cells).
• High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including the presentation of research outcomes at national and international conferences.
• A sound history of publication in peer reviewed journals and/or authorship of scientific papers, reports, grant applications or patents.
• A record of science innovation and creativity, including the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or you must either hold, or be able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work.

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish.

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications Close

24 November 2022, 11:00pm AEDT