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
- Lead nationally significant seed collection at ATSC
- Contribute to collection priorities, research direction and consulting projects
- Apply deep forestry, revegetation, or horticulture expertise
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
The Australian Tree Seed Centre (ATSC) collects, conserves and explores Australia's native tree and shrub flora. The collection makes scientifically documented and tested seed available to researchers and commercial clients throughout the world. It researches novel uses for Australian tree species and cultivates seed of commercially important and threatened species via its network of field trials. This senior role manages the delivery of the Australian Tree Seed Centre's seed supply and advice service team, including management of technical and commercial aspects of the research enterprise as well as the ATSC seed store. Working on supply transactions, having significant technical and commercial complexity, with diverse clients from scientific and commercial backgrounds is a significant feature of the position.
The role provides the opportunity for transition to leadership of the ATSC team, contributing to planning the collection priorities and scientific direction of the collection. The person will have the opportunity to lead and contribute to research and consulting projects in a team environment.
The role would suit a dynamic person with a strong technical background and demonstrated leadership experience in forestry, revegetation, horticulture or other relevant field combined with excellent organisational planning and written skills. The capacity to contribute strongly to the planning, delivery and communication of research will be highly regarded.
Your high-level duties will include:
- Direction setting for the ATSC, including seed procurement and deployment
- Provision of technical advice to external clients on species and seedlot selection for end uses such as conservation, revegetation and commercial purposes.
- Responsibility for commercial supply of seed including export and biosecurity arrangements.
- Contributing to and leading research on Australian tree species.
Role particulars
Location: Canberra ACT
Salary: AU$135k - AU$158k per annum + 15.4% superannuation
Tenure & work schedule: Specified term of 18 months, Full-time
Reference: 102915
As the successful candidate, you will bring:
Essential criteria
- Relevant Bachelors or Masters degree and/or equivalent experience in forest science or allied field.
- Extensive knowledge and professional network in areas including Australian native vegetation management systems such as forestry, farm forestry, mining/ industrial vegetation rehabilitation.
- Knowledge of uses and applications of key Australian forest tree genera and species
- Demonstrated experience with processing, management and handling of tree seeds.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a small research team and provide leadership and supervision to team members.
- A strong client focus including experience with diverse clients from research and commercial backgrounds.
- Holds a current Australian driver’s licence.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge and networks pertaining to international uses for Australian tree species.
- A track record of planning and conducting research.
- A higher degree (e.g. grad. Dip., masters, PhD) in a relevant field.
- Experience managing a commercial research enterprise.
- Experience in management of Health and Safety in laboratory and/or field-based settings.
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 Citizens, New Zealand Citizens, and Australian Permanent Residents. 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
31 May 2026, 11:00pm AEDT
