Acknowledgement of Country
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Role highlights
- Lead NEAC’s systems science vision to support Australia’s energy transition
- Drive impactful research delivering value to government, industry and communities
- Apply MBSE, modelling and engineering to real-world energy challenges
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.
About NEAC
The National Energy Analysis Centre (NEAC) is a CSIRO-led, next-generation digital research infrastructure that will drive and inform Australia's energy transition to net zero. NEAC offers a systems-science approach, combining technical data with human behaviour insights to support faster, smarter energy innovation. It connects real people, physical test facilities, and sophisticated modelling to support researchers, innovators, and policymakers in shaping the energy landscape of the future.
NEAC includes:
- The Living Lab – a real-world data network of homes, businesses and energy users
- The Systems Science Toolbox – a comprehensive model suite for Australia's entire energy system
- Physical Infrastructure Integration – connections to CSIRO facilities for testing and simulation
The opportunity
Step into a senior scientific leadership role where your expertise will shape how Australia navigates the energy transition. As the Principal Systems Scientist – National Energy Analysis Centre (NEAC), you will lead the vision, development and application of contemporary systems science, using your strengths in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), modelling and computing to tackle complex, real-world challenges. Working hands-on with a collaborative and innovative team, you’ll drive NEAC’s research agenda, influence the development of cutting-edge digital capabilities, and deliver impactful outcomes for government, industry and communities.
This is a unique opportunity to combine technical depth with strategic leadership, while mentoring others and representing NEAC on a national and international stage.
Your high-level duties will include:
- Lead the development of SysML models and end-to-end analytical workflows relevant to Australia’s energy transition aligned with NEAC’s strategic priorities
- Provide scientific input to the technical development and market strategy for NEAC’s digital infrastructure capabilities and product offering
- Develop and curate NEAC’s research agenda and lead its execution in collaboration with NEAC science leaders and the broader team
- Mentor and upskill staff in contemporary systems science and computing
- Lead the creation, scoping and delivery of projects across research, government and industry
- Represent NEAC and CSIRO externally, both in Australia and internationally
- Be an active and collaborative member of the NEAC Leadership Team
- Adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Values, Health, Safety and Environment plans and policies, diversity initiatives and Zero Harm goals
Role particulars
Location and office arrangements: Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra or Perth preferred. Other locations with a CSIRO presence may be considered.
Salary: AU$194k – AU$244k per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation
Tenure & work schedule: Specified term of 3 years; Full time.
Reference: 101754
As the successful candidate, you will bring:
Essential
- A PhD in Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Operations Research, or a closely related field, and at least 10 years of practical industry or research experience involving energy systems applications
- Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific and industrial research problems
- A demonstrated publication history of authorship on scientific papers in peer reviewed journals and/or reports, grant applications or inventorship on patent applications
- Excellent theoretical and practical understanding of MBSE, scientific computing and optimisation applied to energy systems problems including social, technical, economic and environmental considerations
- Demonstrated ability to communicate vision and value to technical and non-technical stakeholders, and lead multi-disciplinary research efforts across organisational boundaries
- The ability to work collaboratively within a purpose-driven, customer-focused agile team, supporting team priorities in a dynamic and innovative operational environment
Desirable
- Experience with team-based software development and distributed version control (e.g., Git)
- Knowledge of hetero-functional graph theory or similar methods
- Experience of data capture, processing, analysis and visualisation from sources relevant to NEAC, e.g. social research, IoT devices, energy systems, spatial data
- Leadership team experience from a new and evolving initiative that has direct industry or government application
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 email [email protected], quoting the reference number 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. The successful applicant must be willing and able to travel occasionally.
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 CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.
Applications close
23 June 2026, 11:59pm AEST
