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
- Drive hands‑on plant innovation, contributing to grapevine rootstock development and gene‑editing research with real-world industry impact.
- Apply your laboratory and glasshouse skills to support research outcomes
- Work as part of a collaborative research team to deliver cutting‑edge plant science
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
We are seeking a Research Projects Officer to play a key role in advancing grapevine rootstock development and gene-editing of premium wine grape cultivars. This opportunity is based at the Waite Campus in Adelaide, SA, within the Perennial Crop Improvement and Clonal Crop Trait Improvement Teams in the Trait Innovation Group. The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in plant tissue culture, media preparation, and molecular techniques for genotyping and selecting plants with targeted DNA polymorphisms. We are looking for someone who works effectively both independently and within a collaborative team, demonstrates superb attention to detail, keeps meticulous records, and is eager to expand their technical skills. If you’re passionate about plant innovation and contributing to high-impact research, we encourage you to apply.
Your high-level duties will include:
- Perform routine tissue culture activities:
- Utilize a modified embryo-rescue method to establish rootstock breeding populations and for marker-assisted selection
- Propagate and maintain grapevine rootstock and scion populations in tissue culture and de-flask this material to the glasshouse
- Perform DNA and RNA extractions to support molecular marker development
- Assist rootstock team with KASP genotyping
- Maintain vines in growth chambers and glasshouses
- Utilize PCR based techniques including CAPS/dCAPs genotyping to identify gene-edited vines
- Preparation of tissue culture media, solutions and associated consumables
- Utilize Electronic Laboratory Notebook system for record keeping
- Work with teams to identify potential risks in to improve HSE working conditions
- Work collaboratively across the Perennial Crop Improvement and Clonal Crop Trait Improvement Teams.
- Adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Values, Code of Conduct, Health, Safety and Environment procedures and policy and diversity initiatives.
Role particulars
Location: Adelaide, SA
Salary: AU$76k - AU$96k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) + 15.4% superannuation
Tenure & work schedule: Specified term of 12 months, Full-time
Reference: 102252
As the successful candidate, you will bring:
Essential
- A tertiary degree in a relevant discipline such as plant biology and/or equivalent relevant work experience in plant tissue culturing techniques and molecular breeding techniques.
- Demonstrated experience with plant propagation and husbandry.
- Demonstrated strong organisational and record‑keeping skills, with the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- A demonstrated commitment to health, safety, and wellbeing of staff, willing to challenge the status quo in pursuit of Zero Harm.
Desirable
- Experience with preparing media and standard tissue culture techniques in grapevine.
- Experience with molecular techniques, including PCR techniques related to genotyping (KASP and CAPS/dCAPs).
- Experience with propagating grapevine and maintaining grapevine in the glasshouse.
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 Laura Mason via [email protected] 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/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents, and Australian Temporary Residents who hold full working rights 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.
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 CV and cover letter (maximum 2 pages) that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the selection criteria of this role.
Applications close
25 March 2026, 11:00pm AEDT
