Leaked emails have caused outrage among CSIRO workers this week.

Staff are reportedly furious at the way they are referred to in emails that show CSIRO management discussing how to make a “clean cut” of up to 120 jobs.

The emails dated January this year say the top science body wanted to cut its Oceans and Atmosphere Division.

It was suggested that 120 scientists working in government-funded climate change research could be sacked in a “clean cut” that eliminates all climate science capability.

“In essence I think we should aim for - 120 staff ... because it would allow a clean cut in terms of eliminating all capability associated with ‘public good/Government-funded climate research’,” the emails revealed by the ABC say.

“If we aim for less we will inevitably face the problem of keeping some of the climate scientists (who will no longer be aligned with the new CSIRO strategy).

“If we go for more, we will lose important non-climate-related capability.”

Leaders of the key part of Australia’s intellectual arsenal says the plan discussed in the email was just one of the options considered.

The emails are dated just weeks before the CSIRO flagged cutting up to 350 jobs by mid-2017.

CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshall says the organisation is moving its focus from measuring and monitoring climate change to adapting to it.

Dr Jaclyn Brown, a senior research scientist, has told reporters that the shadow of the impending cuts rests heavily on her and her colleagues.

“Its very hard to sit at your desk and do work when you've been told your work is not important or valued anymore,” she said.

“We've spent decades becoming experts in our fields. We've worked for years, long hours with low pay to build up our knowledge and now we're being tossed aside.”

The CSIRO is expected to make a formal staffing announcement in coming weeks.