OCE Postdoctoral Fellowship in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Environmental Engineering, Electrochemistry  – “Bioelectrochemical metal recovery from battery waste”

CSIRO offers PhD graduates an opportunity to launch their scientific careers through our Office of the Chief Executive (OCE) Postdoctoral Fellowships. Successful applicants will work with leaders in the field of science and receive personal development and learning opportunities.

CSIRO Land & Water Flagship is seeking to appoint a highly motivated graduate for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in bioelectrochemical metal recovery from battery waste.  This project aims to develop novel bioelectrochemical technology which combines biohydrometallurgical and (bio)electrochemical approaches that allow the recovery of metals for beneficial use from mixed spent battery waste which would otherwise be disposed in landfill, stockpiled or sent overseas.

Specifically you will:

  • Under the direction of senior research scientists, carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
  • Through careful experimental design, develop a novel integrated process to allow the recovery of metals from mixed battery waste using a combination of bioelectrochemical and biohydrometallurgical approaches.
  • Engage with industry, material processing and characterisation experts and other relevant stakeholders to source mixed battery waste and evaluate suitable crushing and other pre-treatment options for the waste.
  • Source and screen microbial cultures for testing their efficiency in the process and identify dominant members of the microbial communities.
  • Design and conduct experiments to leach metals from crushed battery waste in lab scale systems, elucidate the leaching mechanisms and the effect of various process parameters on the rate and efficiency of leaching and achievable metal concentrations to optimise the metal solubilisation and identify critical parameters.

Location:   Floreat, WA
Salary:       AUD$81K – $88K plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:      Specified Term of 3 years
Reference: WA15/01004

To be successful in this position you will need:

  • A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as Microbiology, Biotechnology, Environmental Engineering, Electrochemistry or related field.
  • Strong background knowledge and demonstrated ability to design and carry out experiments, analyse and interpret data in one or more of the following areas: microbiology, biotechnology, environmental engineering, electrochemistry or related field.
  • Practical experience in one or more of the following areas: developing bioprocesses, operating bioreactors, working with microbial pure and mixed cultures, characterising microbial communities with DNA based methods and conducting physical-chemical analysis.
  • Demonstrated originality, creativity and innovation in solving conceptual and experimental problems and introducing new directions and approaches.

Owing to terms of the fellowship, candidates must not have more than 3 years of relevant Postdoctoral experience.

Who we are: The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is one of the largest and most diverse scientific organisations in the world. By igniting the creative spirit of our people, we deliver great science and innovative solutions that benefit industry, society and the environment.

The CSIRO Land and Water Flagship provides the science to underpin Australias economic, social and environmental prosperity through stewardship of land and water resources ecosystems, and urban areas.

Applications Close:  Midnight AEST, 31 May 2015

Click on the link below for the full position description and selection criteria:

Position Details – WA15/01004

How to apply:

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