Senior Adviser Research and Development

Senior Adviser Research & Development

• An exciting opportunity to join us in bringing our technological vision to life and taking our Iron Ore business into the future
• Be part of a group that is safety driven and values inclusion
• Partner with Rio Tinto's dynamic R&D community across the globe on cutting edge technologies
• Integral role based out of the Perth CBD – with flexible working arrangements

Where we’re all welcome 

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different. 

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds. 

We acknowledge that all people are different and believe that our differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together.

About the role

Rio Tinto Iron Ore (RTIO) has recently established a dedicated Research, Development & Technology (RDT) division to accelerate our RDT programme. The RDT team are courageous in the pursuit of innovation, curious in the development of emerging technologies and caring towards our people and partners. We are responsible for managing the Iron Ore Research and Development (R&D) portfolio and ensuring alignment with our R&D roadmap and strategic objectives. We are highly collaborative and work in close partnership with Rio Tinto's global R&D community, and external bodies such as research institutes, suppliers and industry partners.

Reporting to the Principal Research & Development, we are seeking a Senior Adviser Research & Development to join the R&D Team where we empower your programme management and systems thinking skills to support the R&D Team Principals in the strategies and plans to deliver the Iron Ore R&D objectives. The new role will be working in a challenging and exciting environment within the RDT team.

One of your primary responsibilities will be to support R&D Team Principals in the coordination and execution of R&D activities to advance the Iron Ore R&D portfolio. With a focus on early phases of technology development, your stakeholder skills will be key to understanding the needs of the customer and ensuring these are well-represented as

you engage with internal and external subject matter experts, researchers and inventors as required. Additional responsibilities include: 

• Support the development and delivery of selected projects, including facilitation of the early discovery and study phases, evaluation activities, and general project management activities
• Conducting effective options analysis, engagement and planning for technology trials within RTIO operations
• Support the effective management of complex change in existing or new operations arising from technology implementation
• Gathering information to create and manage project documentation and artefacts
• Contribute to the development of leading R&D practices and support governance activities
• Periodic site/ supplier visits may be required 

What you’ll bring

To be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant qualification in a transferrable field (including although not limited to Science, Technology, Engineering or relatable qualification)
• Exceptional partnering and collaborative behaviours, including a willingness to engage, constructively challenge and work cohesively with key stakeholders
• Effective communication skills as you influence and gather information & negotiate with a diverse range of stakeholders, internal and external to the Rio Tinto R&D group
• High aptitude for critical thinking and systems integration understanding
• Experience in technology programme management and/or technology development with multi-disciplinary teams in a complex environment is highly regarded
• Having experience in a mine technical service department will be highly valued 

What we offer

• Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress
• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
• Full relocation provided to Western Australia from elsewhere in Australia
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive bonus
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Company provided insurance cover
• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave, cultural leave)
• To better suit different family needs, our paid parental leave approach gives all parents the option to take 18 weeks of paid leave after a new child arrives – at a time that suits them
• Exclusive employee discounts including hotel stays, banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more, read more about the huge range of benefits here: https://bit.ly/43AQLue

Where you will be working

This role is based the Perth CBD in the Central Park offices, with flexible working arrangements available.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive. We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.

Applications close on June 14^th 2024