The CSIRO has announced it will slash up to 350 jobs as the national science agency grapples with long-term financial challenges.
The organisation said it had reached a “critical inflection point”, with current funding failing to keep pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency.
CSIRO CEO Doug Hilton says the cuts are necessary for the agency to keep running. (Supplied: WEHI)
Chief executive Doug Hilton said the organisation would axe between 300 and 350 full-time equivalent roles across its research units, with conversations with staff to begin on Wednesday.
“These are difficult but necessary changes to safeguard our national science agency so we can continue solving the challenges that matter to Australia and Australians,” Dr Hilton said.
The CSIRO said an 18-month review of its research portfolio found it needed a sharper focus on areas like climate resilience, clean energy and advanced technologies.
The organisation said the job losses would come from across the country.
It is the latest in the string of cuts at the CSIRO, with 440 positions slashed last year.
‘Very sad day’
The CSIRO Staff Association has slammed the decision, describing it as a “very sad day” for publicly funded science in Australia.
“These are some of the worst cuts the CSIRO has ever seen, and they’re coming at a time when we should be investing in and building up public science,” secretary Susan Tonks said.
“The Albanese Labor government needs to fix this mess by committing to urgent funding that halts the cuts and secures the future of CSIRO’s world-leading science and research.”
Federal Science Minister Tim Ayres acknowledged the news would be difficult for CSIRO staff.
“Reform is essential to make sure the facilities, research priorities and technologies of yesterday meet the needs of tomorrow,” Mr Ayres said.
“This review — the first of its kind in over 15 years — will mean that CSIRO exits or scales back research in areas where that work is being undertaken by other parts of the R&D system and builds the foundation for strengthening and focusing effort in areas of national industrial science priority.”
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