Research Technician - Sensory and Consumer Science (2 positions) - [Archived Advertisement]

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

The Opportunity

• Apply your sensory science expertise and laboratory skills to a diverse role
• Play a key role in vital sensory studies & make a difference in our food industry
• Exciting opportunity to join CSIRO – Australia’s National Science Agency!

Do you have experience in undertaking sensory and consumer studies and want to be a part of developing tasty foods of the future? We have two exciting positions for Sensory Research Technicians to join our dynamic ‘Sensory and Consumer Science’ Team based in Werribee!

The Food Program at CSIRO delivers impactful science to help the Australian food industry compete in domestic and global markets, and make food products for Australian consumers that are safe, sustainable and taste great. Our R&D pilot plant facility in Werribee is one of the best food manufacturing facilities in the world, with world-class expertise, infrastructure, equipment and technologies available for industry and research. The facility also has supporting product development kitchens and laboratories for chemical, biochemical, physical and sensory analyses.

In this hands-on lab-based role, you will bring your sensory science expertise to assist the research team with a variety of studies. You will play a vital role within the team, and be responsible for data collection, preparing samples, food handling duties, assisting in panel recruitment and management, technical report writing and supporting general lab duties.

If you’re looking to grow your career in sensory and consumer science, this would be an excellent opportunity for you to be part of a premier research team contributing to a range of diverse projects!

Your duties will include:

• Undertaking and assisting in sensory and consumer studies using a range of techniques, often working on several parallel and competing tasks:
  • Designing, preparing and conducting aspects of sensory and consumer studies.
  • Preparing technical reports.
• Supporting and assisting panel leaders to efficiently conduct descriptive sensory analysis.
• Assisting with other project aspects such as consumer and panellist recruitment, general lab maintenance duties, and sample preparation.
• Conducting duties in accordance with national and international ethical and food safety guidelines.
• Maintaining confidentiality when dealing with commercially sensitive information.

Location: Werribee, VIC
Salary: AU$68K – AU$86K pa + up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified Term of 18 months
Reference: 91608

To be considered you will need:

• Relevant tertiary degree in sensory science or a related field, e.g. food science, food technology.
• Experience working in a commercial and/or scientific sensory laboratory conducting studies relevant to food using various methodologies.
• Basic statistical skills to analyse sensory and consumer data to prepare internal reports.
• Ability to work on multiple projects/tasks simultaneously and capable of dealing with time pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research with human participants adhering to ethical and food safety guidelines.
• Demonstrated outstanding interpersonal skills and experience working with sensory panellists and consumers.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, including contributing to team knowledge and improved productivity, and to carry out tasks autonomously in support of scientific research.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this position, you must be either an:

• Australian or New Zealand Citizen;
• Australian Permanent Resident; or
• Australian Temporary Resident, currently residing in Australia, with an existing valid visa and unrestricted work rights for the full duration of the specified term (at least until the end of 2024), and no requirement for visa sponsorship. Please note this does not include bridging visas or other visas that are dependent upon the approval of future visas.

Appointment to this role is subject to the 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 online, and provide a detailed cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please note that we strongly encourage you to respond to each of the selection criteria in detail, and attach it to your cover letter as one document.

Applications Close

19 March 2023, 11:00pm AEDT