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The opportunity

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• Key Social Scientist role in the Energy Resources Program at CSIRO
• Play a pivotal role in advancing Australia’s goal to achieving net zero by 2050
• Engage with collaboration partners, industry, government and across the business to advance world-class science delivery

The position of social scientist is a critical new role in the Energy Business Unit responsible for aiding the understanding of the benefits and risks relating to the deployment of new and emerging technologies in the energy transition. CSIRO is developing and deploying a range of technologies to decarbonise Australia and its SE Asian neighbours, and the perceived benefits and risks are not always clear to industry, community and government.

As a social scientist with a clear understanding of geography, environment and energy you will collaborate with and support researchers in:

(a) Design, implementation and analysis of trials and surveys to better understand sentiment surrounding the energy trilemma.
(b) Conduct research using relevant social theories to identify barriers to deployment of new energy technologies.
(c) Develop novel approaches to experimental design, data interpretation and analysis.
(d) Publish reports, papers and communicate findings.
(e) Test and refine clear, trusted advice and messaging to a broad range of actors.
(f) This will be underpinned by legitimacy, credibility and trust so that CSIRO can provide information and share knowledge about the predicted benefits and impacts of new energy technologies into the future.

Working closely with the project leader and senior staff from the Energy Business Unit, you will co-design a portfolio of activities that include multidisciplinary, collaborative research projects using your professional expertise, knowledge and research experience with your colleagues.

In this role you will be responsible for delivery of project activities that support the energy transition through the development of an approved research portfolio that is challenging but realistic. This includes appropriate project management skills such as preparing ethics approvals, creating and maintaining project budgets and providing advice to peers on best practise.

This role will be responsible for smaller research projects or elements within larger initiatives within and across CSIRO Business Units. Itwill also contribute towards advancing Australia’s goal to achieving net zero by 2050.

Your duties will include:

• Create and execute projects that evaluate social challenges within energy transition developments.
• Analyse results using best practise statistical programming language and provide unbiased perspectives.
• Prepare proposals, questionnaires, ethics approvals, and rigorously evaluated results to a range of stakeholders.
• Work with our corporate affairs teams to evaluate trusted advice, messages and materials associated with the evolving energy transition pathway.
• Monitor the options available and commence deeper studies of the role of each parts where the energy mix may be deployed, the impact of those on place and people and how the different energy technologies might be interconnected.
• Work with scientists and engineers in different energy activities (with a range of technology readiness levels; TRL) to develop a portfolio of research that relates to perceptions of the value chain of each of the energy technologies being implemented, identify challenges, and develop and refine approaches to help demystify these emerging technologies with subject matter experts in each technical field.
• Engage with and communicate the perspectives of industry, government, and communities to identify gaps and opportunities to improve understanding of the range of emerging technologies.

Location:Perth, WA

Salary:AU$126K-$148K + up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Indefinite / Full-time

Reference:94615

To be considered you will need:

Essential

Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.

• A PhD (or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience) in social science.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative, and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems.
• Highly developed communication skills in a range of formats (oral, written etc.) and to a range of audiences.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, research team, plus the motivation and discipline to carry out autonomous research.
• A track record in successfully collaborating on large scale, multi-disciplinary funding proposals.
• Demonstrated leadership and excellence in social science, with a strong track record of outcomes and/or impact delivered.
• Evidence of strong engagement skills and relationship management that identifies and grows new opportunities and supports innovation outcomes.
• Promote wellbeing and foster cross business unit and organisational capability.
• Behaviours are that are exemplary, and that actively promote cross domain collaboration and corporate initiatives.

Desirable

• An understanding of social geography, energy technologies and decarbonisation drawing from environmental and energy systems would be of benefit.
• A track record in collaboration and supporting senior management in delivery.
• Previous experience in working in contested research and/or industry areas.
• Collaborate with corporate affairs, communications and researchers on producing and visualising outcomes of a range of energy projects.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to all candidates.

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.

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

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

Applications close

Tuesday 13th August 2024 11:00pm AEST.