Job Description

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

• Conduct cutting-edge research in molecular virology and vaccinology with a focus on African swine fever.
• Contribute to high-impact scientific initiatives aimed at strengthening national biosecurity and disease preparedness.
• Join CSIRO - Australia's National Science Agency!

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

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years of relevant postdoctoral research experience. These fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.

CSIRO invites applications for a CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowship to undertake research towards the development of a novel vaccine for African swine fever (ASF)—a devastating disease of pigs that is driving a global pandemic and threatens Australia’s biosecurity.

You will join a multidisciplinary ASF project team at the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) ASF Reference Laboratory at ACDP. The project aims to address inherent safety issues of ASF live attenuated vaccines by developing replication-incompetent viruses alongside complementary cell substrates for safe, scalable and cost-effective vaccine manufacturing—capability that may be applicable to other challenging vaccine targets.

Your high-level duties will include:

Under the direction of senior research scientists, you will:

• Conduct research in molecular virology, vaccinology, and cell line engineering, including:
  • identifying and characterising essential viral genes using siRNA or other gene targeting techniques and in vitro infection studies
  • designing methodologies to generate ASF viral deletion mutants using genome engineering tools
  • engineering helper cell lines to enable virus rescue
  • designing and incorporating vaccine markers to support DIVA (differentiating infected from vaccinated animals) approaches
• Deliver innovative, high-impact research outcomes aligned to CSIRO strategy.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and new lines of research.
• Plan research proposals using design thinking and apply impact methodologies.
• Record, manage and analyse data using relevant domain data science techniques.
• Communicate research outcomes internally and externally, including presentations and publications.

Role particulars

Location: Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), Geelong VIC (Wadawurrung Country)
Salary: AU$103,390 – AU$113,251 per annum (pro‑rata for part‑time), plus 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of 3 years, full‑time
Reference: 102699

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as virology, molecular biology, vaccine development or a closely related discipline. Please note: to be eligible for this role you must have no more than three years (full‑time equivalent) of relevant research experience.
• Experience applying molecular virology or molecular microbiology techniques for research or diagnostic outcomes.
• Experience with in vitro cell culture systems to investigate viral replication and quantify infection.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills, including presenting research at national/international forums.
• A strong publication track record and/or scientific writing (papers, reports, grants, patents).
• Demonstrated scientific creativity and willingness to apply novel ideas and approaches.

For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the

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 careers.online@csiro.au and let us know how we can support you.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens only.

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 candidate must be willing and able to comply with the special requirements specific to the ACDP facility. Please refer to the Position Description for details.

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.

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

3 May 2026, 11pm AEST