Engineer - Human-Centered Robotic Manipulation

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The Opportunity
The role of Research Engineer Staff in CSIRO is to conduct innovative research leading to scientific achievements that are aligned with CSIRO's strategies. You may be engaged in scientific activity ranging from fundamental research to the investigation of specific industry or community problems. You will be involved in working towards the delivery of exciting projects while having the opportunity to build and maintain networks, play a lead role in securing project funds, provide scientific leadership and pursue new ideas and approaches that create new concepts. You may be involved in leading research projects or undertaking work that has an impact on the development of scientific or technical knowledge.
The Robotics and Autonomous Systems Group at Data61/CSIRO are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Research Scientist to lead cutting-edge research at the intersection of soft robotics, computational design, and modelling/simulation. The role primarily focuses on developing high performance soft robotics manipulation systems for uptake by industry. The main focus will be on instantiating software-plus-hardware solutions to soft robotic manipulator design: creating powerful design software that allows for principled exploration and optimisation in challenging soft robotic design spaces, supported by experimentally-derived data-driven models to create a range of high-performance actuators through multi-material 3D printing. As part of the position, CSIRO will offer training on its machines and access to its labs (3D printing, mechatronics, electronics), as well as access to its multi-material 3D printer and custom filament production facility. The successful candidate will create new, highly functional morphologies (structure, shape, and material composition) for novel soft robots, and contribute to the growth of this exciting research area.
Your duties will include:

• Develop new soft robotic manipulators, combining state of the art techniques across soft robotics (design, modelling, optimisation, fabrication, and characterisation), manipulation, machine learning, and knowledge of soft materials and structures.
• Carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
• Collaborate with members of a diverse project team and external partners to ensure research directions can lead to lasting impact in application domains.
• Produce high quality scientific and/or engineering papers suitable for publication in high quality journals and for presentation at top ranked international conferences.
• Work effectively as an integral member of a multi-disciplinary research team, to undertake independent scientific investigations.
• Carry out associated tasks while working collaboratively and honestly with internal and external colleagues, clients and partners to develop and progress challenging but realistic research plans for a range of research projects.

Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Salary: AU$89,680 - AU$101,459 plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Indefinite
Reference: 86890
To be considered you will need:
Essential
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.

• High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including the presentation of research outcomes at national and international conferences
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of: design, fabrication, modelling, experimentation, and evaluation of soft robotic prototypes, or machine learning in the design space.
• Experience with 3D printing and CAD.
• Experience in scientific programming using C++, Python or equivalent language.
• A track record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications as primary author in high impact journals and/or top-tier international conferences.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, potentially regionally dispersed research team, plus the motivation and discipline to carry out autonomous research.
• A significant record of science innovation and creativity plus the ability to apply well developed research skills to scientific investigations.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of machine learning, specifically the ability to develop predictive models to identify good designs/features from experimental data
• Experience using source code versioning systems such as Git.

For full details about this role please view the
Eligibility
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 working visa 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.
Flexible Working Arrangements
We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work.
Diversity and Inclusion
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.
About CSIRO
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!
How to Apply
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.
Applications Close
11th February 2024, 11:00pm AEST