Senior Geoscientist

Geoscience Australia values the lands, water and sky as we work to deepen a shared understanding of Country and Earth. We respect First Nations peoples and their enduring connection, contribution and obligations to Country. Reflecting on our shared history, we are committed to listen and learn.

About us

Geoscience Australia brings together science, data and technology to provide geoscience insights that inform decision-making by government and industry, support innovation, and contribute to Australia's safety, resilience and prosperity. 

Our work spans the Australian continent, marine jurisdiction and Antarctic territory, from space to the Earth’s core. We deliver national-scale data, services and infrastructure and work with partners to deepen understanding of Australia and respond to the opportunities and challenges facing our nation.

Our culture

Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged. 

Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offers a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements.

What we can offer you

At Geoscience Australia, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant science, data and technology that makes a difference to Australia. You’ll work alongside people with diverse expertise and experience, with opportunities to learn, develop and contribute to work with real-world impact. 

We offer competitive employment conditions, flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people. Click here to find out more.

Our team

The Minerals, Energy and Groundwater Division is at the centre of Geoscience Australia’s contribution to Australia’s net zero transition, resource security and long-term economic prosperity. Through nationally significant precompetitive geoscience, we help government, industry and communities understand Australia’s mineral, energy and groundwater systems and make better decisions about the responsible development and management of the nation’s resources.

The Birrindudu Deep Dive team sits within the Groundwater and Regional Geoscience Branch and is delivering one of Geoscience Australia’s major regional geoscience programs. Working in partnership with state and territory geological surveys, Australian Government agencies, universities, CSIRO and industry, the team brings together geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geochronology, mineral systems, energy systems and groundwater science to build a richer understanding of northern Australia’s resource potential.

Our work turns new data and geological insight into integrated, multi-commodity assessments that reduce exploration uncertainty, identify opportunities for critical minerals, strategic materials, energy resources and groundwater, and support more informed decisions by governments, industry and communities. By working at regional scale and across disciplines, the team helps reveal the connections between Australia’s geology, resources, water systems and future development opportunities.

This is an opportunity to contribute to nationally important science with practical impact: generating new knowledge, working with leading experts and partners, and helping shape the evidence base needed for responsible resource development, regional investment and Australia’s transition to a net zero economy.

This role supports the Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity initiative, Birrindudu Deep Dive project. The Senior Geoscientist role will drive and lead scientific research to produce reports and communication related to Birrindudu deep dive outputs. The role requires broad geological skills and knowledge relating to mineral resource identification and regional multicommodity resource assessments. High-level communication skills are required to work with internal and external scientific collaborators, federal agencies, state/NT geological agencies, acedemia, industry, pasturalists and First Nations groups. The role supports Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity initiative directive to accelerate the discovery and development of critical minerals and other resources, to support Australia’s net zero transition and enable responsible management of all resources.

In this role you will:

• lead and support Birrindudu Deep Dive scientific investigations under the Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity initiative;
• contribute specialist geoscientific expertise to lead project delivery and scientific outputs related to multi-commodity resource assessments;
• oversee the collection, analysis, quality control and delivery of analytical geoscientific datasets;
• work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to collect diverse geoscientific information to evaluate the resource potential of the Birrindudu Deep Dive region;
• provide leadership to a small team, including direct and indirect supervision of staff;
• engage with government, industry and research partners to address technical challenges and support delivery and communication of strategic outcomes.

To be successful in the role you will:

• provide high-level geoscientific leadership for integrated multi-commodity resource studies that support Geoscience Australia’s strategic objectives and the Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity initiative objectives;
• demonstrate a strong commitment to the role of geoscience in supporting Australia’s transition to net zero emissions and the development of critical minerals resources;
• build and sustain productive relationships with stakeholders across industry, government and the research sector;
• identify project risks and issues early and implement practical solutions to maintain project delivery and performance;
• work collaboratively, share knowledge and support the development of others while taking personal responsibility for outcomes;
• foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture;
• demonstrate behaviours consistent with the APS Values and Code of Conduct.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

• High-level geoscientific skills and demonstrated ability to lead scientific studies to deliver outputs related to multi-commodity resource assessments. 
• Technical geoscientific skills related to the acquisition of new geoscientific data and utilisation of existing data to produce high-impact outputs.
• Proven ability to communicate complex scientific information to technical and non-technical audiences, including preparation of material suitable for peer review.
• Experience leading, managing and/or working within technically focused multidisciplinary teams.

Are you unsure about applying?

Did you know that a Hewlett Packard internal report found that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60 per cent of the job requirements? Women and other people from diverse backgrounds tend to only apply when they check every box. If you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on what we are looking for, please still apply or get in touch with the contact officer to learn more about the role.

To Apply

Please visit the careers page of our website to submit your application via our e-Recruit system. Your application should include:

• Your resume (no more than 3 pages)
• A brief statement (no more than 700 words) outlining your transferable skills, experience and capabilities related to the role and the value you would bring to Geoscience Australia.

If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Paul Henson on +61 2 6249 9138 or email Paul.Henson@ga.gov.au.

To learn more about applying for roles within the Australian Public Services please review, ‘Applying for an APS job: cracking the code’.

Use of AI in Recruitment

Geoscience Australia may use Microsoft Copilot to support limited administrative and preparatory aspects of the recruitment process. Artificial Intelligence is not used to assess or select candidates, and all decisions are human-led and based on merit.

Candidates must ensure their application reflects their own skills, experience and capabilities. Any use of AI must be responsible, transparent where required, and must not misrepresent their suitability for the role. 

Candidates will be asked to disclose their use of AI when submitting an application and may also be asked to do so at various stages throughout the recruitment process.

Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment, as well as the Principles for agency use of AI in recruitment which outline expectations for the responsible, ethical and transparent use of AI when applying for APS roles.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must meet the below eligibility criteria.

• Be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application.
• The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of an appropriate level relevant to this role.
• Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre- employment screening, which includes a police history check.

Technical Assistance

If you require technical assistance, call our Recruitment and Delivery team on (02) 6249 9777 or email recruitment@ga.gov.au.

A merit list/pool may be created from this process. If you are successful for the merit pool, your details may be shared with other Australian Public Service agencies unless you choose not to have your details disclosed.