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.

Role highlights

• Develop innovative miRNA‑based diagnostics to strengthen Australia’s plant biosecurity
• Work at a world‑class quarantine facility with CSIRO and DAFF scientists
• Accelerate your research career through a CSIRO CERC Fellowship

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.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity

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

Join CSIRO and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to help protect Australia from plant disease risks at the border. In this CERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, you will research how seeds respond to plant pathogens by identifying microRNA signals linked to infection, supporting the development of new biosecurity diagnostics tools.

The role is based at the Plant Innovation Centre (PIC) within DAFF’s Post Entry Quarantine facility in Mickleham, Victoria. You will work closely with DAFF plant pathologists and CSIRO experts in microRNA research and bioinformatics, as part of CSIRO’s structured early‑career development program.

Applicants should note that the primary work location (PIC) is not serviced by public transport. Occasional travel to other CSIRO sites, including Geelong (Vic.) or Canberra (ACT), will be required and the ability to travel independently between locations is essential.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Developing and optimising molecular diagnostic methods for detecting seed‑borne plant pathogens
• Applying advanced molecular biology techniques, including RNA/miRNA extraction, qPCR and next-generation sequencing
• Conducting microbial pathogen infection studies in controlled environments and maintaining pathogen cultures
• Validating diagnostic assays for potential adoption into Australian seed testing regimes
• Ensuring biosecurity compliance, data integrity and rigorous documentation of experimental work

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Plant Innovation Centre, Mickleham, Vic. Occasional travel to CSIRO sites, including Canberra (ACT) and Geelong (Vic.), will be required.

Salary:AU$103,390 - AU$113,250 per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation.

Tenure & work schedule: Full time; Specified term of 3 years

Reference: 102385

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential criteria

1. A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD). The doctorate must be in a relevant discipline area, such as plant pathology, or plant molecular biology.
   Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or part time equivalent) of relevant research experience.

1. An Australian driver’s licence.
2. Demonstrated expertise in a broad range of molecular biology techniques relevant to the role.
3. 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.
4. A sound history of publication in peer reviewed journals and/or authorship of scientific papers, reports, grant applications or patents.
5. A record of science innovation and creativity, including the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.
6. A demonstrated commitment to the health, safety, and wellbeing of staff and willingness to challenge the status quo in pursuit of Zero Harm.

Applicants who meet one or more of the desirable criteria will be considered favourably.

For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the Position Description.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

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 contact Cristina O’Brien via email at cristina.obrien@csiro.au and let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

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.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens already residing in Australia. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character 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.

How to apply

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close

Wednesday 15 April, 2026, 11:00pm AEST