Aquaculture Technician

• Key role for Research Projects Technician in the Zootechnics team
• Contribute to a range of project activities in collaboration with research leads, external clients and industry
• Work with CSIRO Environment and make a difference

The role of a CSIRO research project officer (RPO) is to provide technical support for scientific research in a diverse range of laboratory and field situations across a range of different research projects. This support consists of the application of accepted technical protocols and the development of new practices. 

This role will entail daily aquatic animal husbandry, infrastructure sanitation, experiment design and construction, recording experiment data, water quality measurements and animal sampling. The position requires some practical knowledge of water treatment and filtration systems. Prior experience in running research experiments and performing histology techniques would be beneficial. 

As a member of the Zootechnics team, the RPO will be partially responsible for the management of a variety of aquatic species (various fishes including Atlantic salmon and barramundi, tiger prawn, polychaetes) experiments within the Livestock & Aquaculture Research Program in research areas including nutrition, welfare, physiology, health, metabolism, and production systems.

To be successful in this role you will require sound knowledge of aquatic animal husbandry and welfare. The RPO will need to be independent with an ability to work under general guidance and take responsibility in organising resources and managing workloads to ensure project deadlines are met. 
 

• Provide daily animal husbandry to both animal stocks and animals under experimentation. 
• Perform a range of laboratory tasks including, water quality measurements, operation and maintenance of various pieces of equipment, co-ordination of purchases and general supplies, provision of technical advice, maintenance of accurate and complete records of tests and experiments, and animal sampling. 
• Data management including the collection, analysis and storage of data and provision of information for incorporation into technical reports for various clients and scientific publications.
• Assist with project planning and preparation of animal experimental infrastructure, ensuring active support and compliance with CSIRO Animal Ethics, BIRC Biosecurity Committee, the code of conduct, WHS, and budget monitoring.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary, often regionally dispersed research team, to carry out tasks under limited direction in support of scientific research.
• Other duties as directed.

Location: Bribie Island, Queensland

Salary: AU$70,874 - AU$90,202 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure:  Specified term of 2 years / Full-time

Reference: 96472

Essential

To be considered you will need:
 

• A BSc or relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent industry/practical experience relevant to the position in terms of aquaculture.  
• General experience in husbandry of aquatic animals for research or production, and demonstrated experience in design, construction, and operation of aquatic biological systems.
• Working knowledge and/or experience of biosecurity in relation to aquaculture operations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to anticipate the interests and knowledge level of an audience and present information and feedback accordingly.
• The ability to effectively manage a number of competing priorities simultaneously and carry out non-routine tasks under limited direction.
• Ability to work outside regular hours, and off-site, as required.
• Drivers Licence.

• Knowledge or experience of aquaculture industries, different aquatic systems and settings. 
• Experience in maintaining stock holdings of fish and prawn broodstock, operating water filtration and/or treatment systems, particularly relating to freshwater and saltwater RAS.
• Performing experiments investigating nutrition, welfare, physiology, and health themes using fish and prawns. 
• Experience and/or knowledge in processing samples using histological techniques and bright field microscopy.  
• Working knowledge and/or experience in the requirements for aquatic animal translocation interstate and to regional areas.
• Experience using computer software for the collection and summary of data. 

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or you must either hold, or be able to obtain, a valid visa with unrestricted work rights for the duration of the 2-year term with no requirement for visa sponsorship from CSIRO.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Monday, 20th May 2024 11:00pm AEST.