Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

The Opportunity

The SKA Observatory (SKAO) is coordinating a global effort to build the largest science facility on the planet. This next-generation radio-astronomy observatory will transform our understanding of the Universe and deliver benefits to society through global collaboration and innovation.

SKAO is one observatory with two telescopes: SKA-Low in Western Australia and SKA-Mid in South Africa, with the global headquarters at Jodrell Bank, UK. The SKAO is an intergovernmental organisation composed of member states from four continents, with organisations from 16 countries in total currently participating in the project.
 

• Use your skills and experience as a Telescope Operator / Data Analyst to build something truly special
• Innovative and collaborative workplace with fantastic flexibility 
• Join CSIRO - Australia's premier research organisation

In Australia, SKAO is collaborating with CSIRO to operate the SKA-Low Telescope, which will be built at CSIRO’s Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO), on Wajarri country. SKA-Low teams will operate out of our Engineering Operations Centre in Geraldton, on Yamaji country, and Science Operations Centre in Perth, on Noongar country.

Your duties will include:

• Conduct, monitor and calibrate astronomical observations and use appropriate computing resources towards successful operation of the telescope array releases. 
• Assist with system checks, maintenance handovers, array and correlator/beamformer configurations and setups.
• Undertake quality assurance of data obtained from early array releases using existing low frequency data sets, such as from the MWA.
• Contribute to the designing and documenting operating procedures for SKAO.
• Support communication between engineering and technical staff and scientific stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, both within the Science Operations Team and across the multi-disciplinary roles of the broader SKAO.

Location: 88541

Salary: AU$87068k - AU$98504k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Indefinite

Reference: 88541

To be considered you will need:

Essential:

• Aptitude to control and operate a scientific research facility including familiarity with monitoring, controlling, and scheduling.
• Appreciation of steps required for the acquisition and processing of scientific data.
• Aptitude to contribute to the definition and development of operational procedures, monitoring dashboards and documentation.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• An awareness of equitable practices, including accessibility, to facilitate broad access to the Observatory.

Desirable:

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent in astronomy, physics, engineering, computing or a related field
• Experience in radio astronomy observations and data reduction pipelines, especially at low frequencies.
• Familiarity with low frequency radio astronomy calibration techniques.
   

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or you must either hold, or be able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

To enter a CSIRO site, CSIRO will require you to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (or show a valid medical exemption from vaccination). If you are unable to meet this requirement, then you must return a negative result on a Rapid Antigen Test (within 48 hours prior to attending site) and wear a face mask whilst on the CSIRO site. These requirements apply if you are attending a CSIRO site as part of a recruitment process.

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications Close

31st October 2022, 11:00pm AEST