Indigenous Time at Sea Studentships

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Unique opportunity to gain experience on board CSIRO’s world-class marine research vessel, the RV Investigator!

• Are you studying STEM and interested in joining a research voyage to better understand Australia’s vast marine estate?
• Do you want to gain valuable, real-world at sea research experience?
• Apply for an Indigenous Time at Sea Studentship today!

The opportunities we are offering

The Indigenous Time at Sea Studentship (ITSS) offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students the opportunity to join voyages on Research Vessel Investigator.

CSIRO has opportunities for university students to undertake a placement under the ITSS program during a research voyage on board Investigator in 2025. Students will join a world class research team and be able to gain experience on an ocean research vessel to facilitate skill development and networking, while gaining exposure to methods and techniques applicable to careers in marine science and the maritime industry.

Students will receive a stipend during their placement and most costs associated with participating in the voyage, including travel, accommodation, medical assessment, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be covered by CSIRO.

All ITSS students will receive support while onboard and be assigned a “buddy” while at sea. ITSS students will also be supported by a shore-based program coordinator.

Information about the program can be found at ITSS program page

Location:  RV Investigator, voyage Hobart, TAS

Scholarship:  Up to AU$1,988.70 per fortnight

Duration:  approx. 8 weeks with 5 weeks on the voyage

Reference: 96773

Voyage Details

Voyage 1 Details

IN2025_V04 – Untangling the causes of change over 25 years in the southeast marine ecosystem.

27May – 28June 2025, nipaluna/Hobart to nipaluna/Hobart. The voyage will travel through Sea Country between southern Tasmania and New South Wales. 

The South East Australian Marine Ecosystem Survey (SEA-MES) is repeating the surveys conducted 30 years ago to document changes and establish a new biological and environmental baseline (https://research.csiro.au/sea-mes/). The objective of the survey is to answer three broad questions:

1. How and why have fish assemblages and species abundances changed in the southeast ecosystem, and can the causes be mitigated?
2. How does this affect the multiple-use management of the region, particularly conservation and biodiversity management of Australian Marine Parks and the hive of activity from fisheries, oil & gas, and renewable energy sectors?
3. What are the implications for marine spatial planning and adaptive management in the sectors that use the marine ecosystem?

Learning Tasks will include:

• Under the guidance of CSIRO and other voyage staff work with scientists and technicians to assist with research objectives and contribute to the national collaborative marine research effort.
• Under close supervision, undertake a combination of basic tasks following specific instructions and/or well-established procedures.
• Gain valuable ‘real-world’, at-sea research experience.
• Communicate openly, effectively and respectfully with all staff, clients and suppliers in the interests of good business practice, collaboration and enhancement of CSIRO’s reputation.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team to carry out tasks in support of scientific objectives.
• Adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Values, Code of Conduct, Health, Safety and Environment procedures and policy and diversity initiatives.
• Under supervision, identify, sort, measure, and dissect a range of marine biota including fish.
• Bird observations and data entry

More information can be found: https://research.csiro.au/sea-mes/sea-mes-vr/

Voyage 2 Details

IN2025_V06 – The Coral Sea frontier: Deep-sea biodiversity assessment of the Coral Sea Marine Park.

11 October – 14 November 2025, Meeanjin/Brisbane to Meeanjin/Brisbane.

This project will investigate benthic marine life in the southern and eastern Coral Sea Marine Park, focussing on the Marion Plateau, the Tasmantid Seamount Chain (200-3600 m) and Kenn Plateau. This will be the first modern deep-water investigation of marine life found on the extinct volcanic peaks of the northern Tasmantid Seamount Chain which rise over 3000 m from the seabed and the offshore Kenn Plateau. This project will aim to answer three broad questions:

1. Does benthic faunal biodiversity vary across the different bioregions, key ecological features and management zones of the southern and eastern CSMP?
2. Do the seamounts and atolls of the Tasmantid Seamount Chain support a greater number of locally endemic species than the continental and offshore plateaus?
3. Is the benthic faunal biodiversity of the CSMP more diverse and unique compared to other Australian continental slope bioregions?
4. Do non-extractive sampling methods, e.g. eDNA and towed camera, provide adequate data on benthic faunal composition compared to extractive methods like trawl and sled?

Learning Tasks will include:

• Under the guidance of CSIRO and other voyage staff work with scientists and technicians to assist with research objectives and contribute to the national collaborative marine research effort.
• Under close supervision, undertake a combination of basic tasks following specific instructions and/or well-established procedures, e.g. fish and invertebrate sorting and measuring.
• Gain valuable ‘real-world’, at-sea research experience.
• Communicate openly, effectively and respectfully with all staff, clients and suppliers in the interests of good business practice, collaboration and enhancement of CSIRO’s reputation.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team to carry out tasks in support of scientific objectives.
• Adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Values, Code of Conduct, Health, Safety and Environment procedures and policy and diversity initiatives.
• Other duties as directed.

Please note that exact voyage dates may be subject to change.

To be considered you will need:

• To be enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) at an Australian University at the time of the voyage;
• To have completed at least 2 years of a (full-time equivalent) undergraduate course prior to commencing your placement.
• An average academic record of a credit or higher
• An interest in pursuing a research career in science or technology, or a career in a related discipline; and
• Be able to pass a seagoing medical, attend pre-voyage meetings and complete additional pre-departure materials.

Voyages will involve working with a team in a confined and isolated environment, processing trawl samples, which include fish, invertebrates and other taxa in line with permit and animal ethics guidelines. Full training in techniques and methodologies will be provided and the successful candidates should ensure that they are comfortable working in such circumstances.  

Who is eligible to apply?

CSIRO considers the filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity/affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). The position is therefore only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with Australian Citizenship. The successful applicant will be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. 

Appointment to this role may be subject to conditions including provision of a national police check as well as other security/medical/character clearance requirements.

Where to from here!

If you are interested in the Indigenous Time at Sea Studentship Program and meet the above candidate requirements, please apply online today!

If you require further information about this opportunity please contact Ben Arthur via email at: Ben.Arthur@csiro.au or by phone on (03) 6232 5078.  

If you prefer to have an informal chat before putting in your EOI (Expression of Interest), you can contact our Indigenous Talent Employment Team at IndigenousCareers@csiro.au for more information.

Apply Online

To apply for an Indigenous Time at Sea Studentship, you will be required to: 

1.  submit a Resume/CV and Cover Letter (as one document) in the ‘Resume/CV’ field; and

2.  upload evidence of enrolment & academic performance in the ‘Cover Letter’ field.

 If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 984 220 and someone will be able to assist you. Outside business hours please email: careers.online@csiro.au.

Applications Close

29 January 2025, 11.00pm AEST