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 advanced techno‑economic and power system modelling to support community battery deployment
- Work with CSIRO researchers and electricity distribution network service providers on industry‑relevant research
- Three‑year postdoctoral fellowship with structured career development
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) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years of relevant postdoctoral research experience. These fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.
The Postdoctoral Fellow will be based in the Energy Systems Program within the CSIRO Energy Research Unit, which plays a key role in Australia’s energy transition. CSIRO Energy develops robust and transparent modelling frameworks to assess future energy scenarios, particularly for energy storage, in complex policy and planning contexts.
Community batteries are an emerging form of energy storage with the potential to deliver shared network and customer benefits within electricity distribution networks. In this role, you will develop and apply advanced methods to assess the techno‑economic and network viability of community battery deployments across diverse Australian grid contexts. You will work closely with researchers in CSIRO’s Energy Economics and Power Systems teams and collaborate with Distribution Network Service Providers to integrate economic analysis, power system modelling and optimisation to support scalable, evidence‑based deployment strategies.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to industry‑relevant research that supports Australia’s energy transition while developing technical leadership and research independence.
Your high-level duties will include:
- Undertaking original and innovative research focused on the techno‑economic and network integration of community batteries in Australian distribution networks
- Developing, implementing and applying advanced modelling frameworks incorporating power system analysis, optimisation and scenario‑based assessment
- Designing and delivering industry‑relevant case studies, including hosting capacity, voltage support, congestion relief, peak demand reduction and non‑network solutions
- Engaging with industry stakeholders to co‑design modelling assumptions, validate results and ensure practical and credible research outputs
- Disseminating research outcomes through peer‑reviewed publications, conferences, technical reports and industry‑facing outputs
Role particulars
Location: Canberra, ACT preferred; Brisbane, Newcastle or Melbourne considered
Salary: AU$103,390 – AU$113,251 per annum (pro‑rata for part‑time), plus 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of 3 years, full‑time
Reference: 102343
As the successful candidate, you will bring:
- A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline such as electrical engineering, power systems engineering, energy systems, applied economics, operations research or a related field. Please note: to be eligible for this role you must have no more than three years (full‑time equivalent) of relevant research experience.
- Demonstrated experience in quantitative modelling of energy systems, such as power system analysis, techno‑economic modelling or distributed energy resource studies.
- Demonstrated experience with computational modelling and programming in at least one relevant language or environment, such as Python, MATLAB, Julia or similar.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to publish research outcomes and engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- A record of science innovation and creativity, including the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.
CSIRO is an Equal Opportunity employer working hard to recruit world-class talent that represents the diversity across our society. As part of our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment outcomes, preference will be given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who meet the role criteria. CSIRO considers conscious inclusion practices intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity/affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).
For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review 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 [email protected] and let us know how we can support you.
Eligibility
Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents and Australian Temporary Residents currently residing in Australia who hold, or are able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term (visa sponsorship not required).
Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates being considered for the role under CSIRO’s Conscious Inclusion Practices may be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
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.
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 2 pages), and
- a current CV.
Your cover letter should outline your motivation for the role and clearly describe how your skills and experience address the Essential Selection Criteria, and, where applicable, the Desirable Criteria. Applicants additionally demonstrating experience aligned with the Desirable Criteria will be highly regarded.
Applications close
6 April 2026, 11pm AEST
