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.

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,

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