Careers

1) PhD opportunities with CO2CRC

2) Senior research management positions (2)

3) Senior researcher

PhD opportunities with CO2CRC

CO2CRC undertakes leading-edge research into reducing carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere through carbon capture and storage (CCS).

CO2CRC has recently been funded for a further five years and we are implementing our new collaborative research programs with participating research organisations, industry and government.

We are looking for outstanding graduates from relevant fields including chemical engineering, chemistry, geology, geophysics, petroleum/reservoir engineering, resource economics and mathematics to commence research in 2010. Post-graduate students will undertake research on CO2CRC projects at one of our partner universities and work closely with industry. An attractive scholarship is offered.

CO2CRC’s university partners are Curtin University, Monash University, University of Adelaide, University of Melbourne, University of Newcastle, UNSW, University of Queensland and University of Western Australia.

Contact: abartlett@co2crc.com.au

SENIOR RESEARCH MANAGEMENT POSITIONS
IN CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE

The Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC), a world leader in collaborative applied research into carbon capture and storage (CCS), has recently been funded for a further five years.

In order to take its five year program forward, CO2CRC wishes to appoint two senior Program Managers to its Executive Team. The positions (described below) are to manage extensive scientific research programs and entail the development, resourcing and prioritising of research portfolios, budgeting, reporting to industry and government and presenting research findings to stakeholders. Candidates should have extensive experience in scientific program management and budgeting, the delivery of outputs and the meeting of milestones, as well as a clear understanding of the CCS needs of industry and government and the role of research and development in meeting those needs.

The successful candidates will have highly developed technical skills and the capacity to add value to programs and projects through those skills. They are also likely to have industry experience in a field relevant to the evolving CCS industry. As the Centre has pilot and demonstration facilities, operational experience would be valued.

The appointments will be for three years in the first instance (subject to a successful probationary period of three months). Salaries will be competitive. The locations of the positions may be negotiated, but it is anticipated that one of the positions will be Canberra-based. Secondments from industry, government or research organisations will be considered.

The positions will require a close working relationship with the Chief Scientist and Chief Technologist and will report directly to the CEO. 

Attributes of the successful candidate will include:

• Degree (and possibly advanced degrees) in a relevant area of the earth sciences or chemical engineering or related fields
• Ten years or more of high-level management experience in science or engineering projects
• Proven record in delivery of technically complex projects to time and within budget
• Experience of HSE management systems
• Management experience with the capacity to achieve the best from people
• Ability to be a team player working with senior researchers, industry partners and other stakeholders
• Knowledge of and strong interest in CCS as a greenhouse mitigation option
• Operational experience in CCS-related industries
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally
• Skilled at giving presentations to stakeholders and potential funders
• An understanding of the ethos of an organisation focussed on the development and delivery of world class research and development
• Able to contribute to the needs of the Centre to commercialise  intellectual property through its commercial arm

Applications (to be received by 31 January 2010) should be addressed to:

Business Manager
CO2CRC
GPO Box 463
Canberra  ACT  2601
cpeacock@co2crc.com.au

Names of three referees and an indication of any specific requirements (eg level of salary, location) should be provided.

Enquiries regarding the positions should be directed to Dr Peter Cook, Chief Executive CO2CRC, 02 6120 1600 (international +61 2 6120 1600) or pjcook@co2crc.com.au

Program Manager 1 - Geological Storage
This position is concerned with all aspects of the work by the Centre on geological storage of carbon dioxide. Working with the Chief Executive and the Chief Scientist, the Program Manager (with the relevant Project Leaders) will be responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of 8-10 major storage projects and the management of the associated budget and other resources.

Many of the program activities are focussed on the CO2CRC Otway storage site in southwest Victoria where the Centre has established facilities to inject, model and monitor the behaviour of CO2. Contributing to the further development and operation of these world class facilities and related projects will be a core task of the Program Manager and for this reason, some experience in the upstream oil and gas industry and with related HSE issues would be highly valued.

Research staff are usually seconded from our supporting research bodies or universities, with more than 50 full time equivalent researchers (most with advanced degrees) and therefore experience of organising research in a major company or in the government sector would be an advantage. Researchers are located in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and Wellington and there is close collaboration with overseas researchers.

Program Manager 2 – CO2 capture
This position is concerned with all aspects of the work by the Centre on the capture and separation of carbon dioxide from major emissions sources such as power stations, gas separation plants and industrial processes. It may also extend to the economics of CCS.  Working with the Chief Executive and the Chief Technologist, the Program Manager (with the relevant Project Leaders) will be responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of 5-6 major capture and related projects over the five years and the management of the associated budget and other resources.

The capture program activities include activities focussed on the CO2CRC Mulgrave and H3 pilot facilities in Victoria where a range of capture technologies such as solvents, membranes and adsorbents can be tested. Laboratory-based facilities are located in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and there is extensive collaboration with overseas research groups. The Centre works with senior researchers, post doctoral fellows and PhD students, with staff seconded from our supporting research bodies or universities, totalling more than 40 full time equivalent researchers (most with, or working towards, advanced degrees). Therefore experience of organising research in a major company or in the government sector or a research institution would be an advantage.

SENIOR RESEARCH POSITION
IN RISK AND CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE

The Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC), a world leader in collaborative applied research into carbon capture and storage (CCS), has recently been funded for a further five years. 

In order to take its five year program forward, CO2CRC wishes to appoint a senior researcher in the area of risk.  The position involves the practical application of risk methodologies to CCS, the delivery of research outputs and the meeting of research milestones, as well as an understanding of the CCS needs of industry and government and the role of risk research and development in meeting those needs.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide intellectual leadership in risk and to add value to programs and projects through those skills and to work with others involved in the application of risk to CCS.  Industry experience in a field related to the evolving CCS industry would be an advantage.  A willingness to participate in commercial projects is required.

The appointment will be for three years in the first instance (subject to a successful probationary period of three months).  Salary will be competitive.  The location of the position is negotiable.  Secondments for the period of the appointment from industry, government or research organisations may be a possibility.

Attributes of the successful candidate are likely to include:

• An advanced degree in a subject directly relevant to risk  and knowledge of a range of methodologies and approaches to risk in resource or other industries that relate to CCS.
• Acknowledged expert in risk and the capacity to provide intellectual leadership in the topic to others within CO2CRC concerned with the assessment of risk and actual CCS projects.
  
• Practical experience in the application of risk to projects, particularly these concerned with subsurface and related surface activities, such as those encountered in the petroleum industry, although experience in related plant and transportation issues could be useful..
  
• Publications and Reports in relevant fields, including in referred journals
  
• Able to apply and modify existing risk methodologies and where necessary develop new methods and approaches in the rapidly evolving area of CCS.
  
• A team player, able to work with other researchers and with industry and government partners and other stakeholders.
  
• The ability to effectively convey complex ideas and the concept of risk to audiences ranging from senior decision makers to local communities.
  
• An understanding of the needs of users of risk-based information and assessment.

Applications (to be received by 31 January 2010) should be addressed to:

Business Manager
CO2CRC
GPO Box 463
Canberra  ACT  2601
cpeacock@co2crc.com.au

The names of three referees should be provided.

Enquiries regarding the positions should be directed to Dr Peter Cook, Chief Executive CO2CRC, 02 6120 1600 (international +61 2 6120 1600) or pjcook@co2crc.com.au