Postdoctoral Fellowship

Role summary for potential applicants

Advertised Job Title: / Postdoctoral Fellowship in Strategic Foresight for Emerging Industries and Enabling Technology (Two postdoctoral fellowships available)
Reference Number: / 32641
Classification: / CSOF4
Salary Range: / $78,479 to $88,787 plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Location: / Brisbane, QLD
Tenure: / Specified term of 3 years (2 roles available)
Relocation assistance: / Will be provided to the successful candidate if required.
Applications are open to: / Australian Citizens Only
Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents Only
All Candidates
Functional Area: / Research Scientist/Engineer
% Client Focus - Internal: / 20
% Client Focus - External: / 80
Number of direct reports: / 0
Reports to the: / Leader, Strategic Foresight
Role Overview:
Postdoctoral Fellowships at CSIRO provide opportunities to scientists and engineers, who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships will help launch their careers, provide experience that will enhance their career prospects, and facilitate the recruitment and development of potential leaders for CSIRO.
Postdoctoral Fellows are appointed for up to three years and will work closely with a leading Research Scientist or Engineer in their respective field. They carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO with the possibility of novel and important scientific outcomes. They present the findings in appropriate publications and at conferences.
CSIRO's Data61 is launching an exciting new research team working in the emerging field of strategic foresight. The Data61 Strategic Foresight Team works across both the public and private sectors, including wide ranging industries, geographies and social issues to identify and examine trends, risks and scenarios relating to the future economy. The objective is to help companies, governments and communities make wiser choices and navigate a pathway through technology disruption in the information era.
This multi-disciplinary research team brings together world leading expertise in technology strategy, decision theory, management science, strategy, foresight, economics, geography and other backgrounds. The team is dedicated to providing practical, timely and relevant contemporary services to government and industry clients via consulting and advisory projects. The team will also conduct original research.
These roles are within the Data61 Insight Team and will be focused on collaborative work with the Queensland Government on strategic foresight. This broader package of work aims to explore plausible futures and inform public policy and strategy decisions relevant to the Queensland Government and its agencies.
Both roles will involve publishing research in relevant academic/professional/industry journals, presenting at conferences/seminars and working closely with peers in universities and industry. It is noted this position will also contribute to applied consultancy/advisory projects as required.
The successful candidates will have outstanding research capabilities. They must have excellent written and oral communication skills, the ability to conduct (and publish in world-class journals) independent research. They will have an emerging publication record and citation record with strong prospects for future development. They must also work well in a team and have an entrepreneurial spirit to help build a new research team in Australia's innovation landscape.
There are currently two postdoctoral fellowships available. One will focus on "emerging industries" and be responsible for conducting research into how technology, innovation and the ideas and knowledge economy will create new industries, with new job opportunities, for Queensland. The second will focus on enabling technologies and be responsible for conducting research into the future impacts of enabling technologies on Queensland using techniques of strategic foresight and other research methods as appropriate.
Duties and Key Result Areas:
· Scoping, designing and delivering research projects about future trends, risks and scenarios related to the formation of new industries and developing improved methods, tools and processes of strategic foresight.
· Contributing (and in some instances leading) the writing of consulting reports suitable for non-specialist audiences and the preparation of client material (e.g. presentations, datasets, etc).
· Publishing the results of research in journals, conference proceedings, seminars and/or books for academic, professional and community audiences.
· Identifying, obtaining and analysing literature, data and other information sources relevant to various aspects of industry formation; developing and communicating risks, scenarios and trends.
· Working as part of a multi-disciplinary, research team, to carry out tasks under limited direction in support of scientific research.
· Adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO's Values, Health, Safety and Environment plans and policies, Diversity initiatives and Zero Harm goals.
· Work collaboratively with colleagues within your team, the business unit and across CSIRO and Data61, to reach objectives.
· Other duties as directed.
CSIRO’s postdoctoral training program is developed between the Postdoctoral Fellow and a CSIRO scientist. The program will focus on enhancing the Fellows’ capabilities to the level expected of an independent researcher and will include on-the-job and course-based development encompassing:
· Discipline-specific techniques and protocols
· Professional growth
· Project management
· Communication and influencing skills
· Working and collaborating with others
http://www.csiro.au/en/Careers/Student-and-graduate-programs/Postdoctoral-fellowships
Selection Criteria:
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed
Pre-Requisites:
1. Education/Qualifications: A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as strategic foresight, economics, geography, technology management, technology policy or a related field.
Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience.
2. Communication: High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including at national and international conferences.
3. Publications: A record of publications in quality, peer reviewed journals.
4. Behaviours: A history of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes in a collaborative environment.
Essential Criteria:
1. Demonstrated knowledge of the impacts of technology disruption on industries, companies, governments and communities.
2. Demonstrated skills in strategic foresight and related techniques such as scenario planning, horizon scanning, trend identification, risk analysis, decision analysis, policy analysis and strategic planning.
3. Working experience in a research or advisory capacity within industry or government or within a university or research organisation.
4. The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team, and carry out independent individual research, to achieve organisational goals.
5. A record of science innovation and creativity plus the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.
Desirable Criterion:
1. Demonstrated knowledge of Queensland’s economy and society, and major Queensland Government policy drivers.
CSIRO Values:
As Australia’s Innovation Catalyst, CSIRO has strategic actions underpinned by behaviours aligned to Excellent science, Inclusion, trust & respect, Health, safety & environment and Deliver on commitments. In your application and at interview you will need to demonstrate alignment with these behaviours.
Data61 Values:
In Data61, our leaders will be expected to demonstrate the following values:
· Hierarchy: Country, Company, Team, Individual
· Openness: Open debate, collaboration, full commitment
· Learning: Calculated risks, institutionalise learning, fast cadence
· Impact: Tackle hard problems, create the future, focus on outcomes
· Stewardship: Lead, make each function and co. stronger over time
To be appointed as a Postdoctoral Fellow within CSIRO, candidates are required to have submitted their PhD at the time of commencement, as a minimum requirement, if PhD conferment has not been obtained. If a candidate has submitted, but their PhD has not yet been formally attained, the starting salary will be CSOF4-1 $78,479. Upon CSIRO receiving written confirmation that the PhD has been awarded (within a six month period from commencement date), the salary will be increased to the negotiated level and the difference will be back-paid to the Officer’s start date.
Other special requirements:
Appointment to this role may be subject to conditions including security/medical/character clearance requirements. Applicants who are not Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents may be required to undergo additional security clearance processes; which may include medical examinations and an international standardised test of English language proficiency (i.e. IELTS test).- http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx
Other Information:
How to Apply
Please apply for this position online at www.csiro.au/careers. You may be asked to provide additional information (online) relevant to the selection criteria. If so, then responding will enhance your application so please take the time to provide relevant succinct answers. Applicants who do not provide the information when requested may not be considered.
If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 984 220 and someone will be able to assist you. Outside business hours please email: .
Referees: If you do not already have the names and contact details of two previous supervisors or academic/ professional referees included in your resume/CV please add these before uploading your CV.
Contact: If after reading the selection documentation you require further information please contact:
Dr Stefan Hajkowicz (). Please do not email your application directly to Dr Stefan Hajkowicz. Applications received via this method will not be considered.
About CSIRO
Australia is founding its future on science and innovation. Its national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is a powerhouse of ideas, technologies and skills for building prosperity, growth, health and sustainability. It serves governments, industries, business and communities across the nation.
Find out more! www.csiro.au
CSIRO DATA 61
Data61 is the largest data innovation group in Australia. Bringing together our Digital Productivity team and National ICT Australia (NICTA), we are unrivalled in our intellectual capital and our network with the global technology marketplace. We plan to have a new website very soon, but in the meantime visit the Digital Productivity or NICTA sites.
Find out more! http://www.csiro.au/en/Research/D61