CSIRO Undergraduate Vacation Studentships - Space & Astronomy

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.

Role highlights

• Exciting undergraduate opportunities at Australia’s national science agency
• Gain firsthand experience with world-leading researchers
• Explore a career in science over the Summer holidays

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity

Our Undergraduate Vacation Studentships are run over the Australian summer holiday period. Our program offers promising undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in real world projects, collaborate with leading CSIRO researchers and experience our world class facilities.

Participation in a CSIRO Vacation Studentship offers access to real world experience that provide insights into future study and career directions. Many previous vacation students have gone on to pursue a PhD and build a successful research career within CSIRO, universities, or industry.

CSIRO’s Space and Astronomy unit operates world-class national facilities for radio astronomy, spacecraft communications and tracking, and collecting satellite-derived data about Earth, for customers from across Australia, and the world. We enable humanity to understand our Earth and Universe. This understanding, and our innovative science and technology, contributes to solving the greatest challenges and building future industry.

Role particulars

Projects:  Space & Astronomy currently have 18 projects available across a range of disciplines including astronomy, astrophysics, physics, computer science, data science, electrical and telecommunications engineering, software engineering, signal and image processing, machine learning, and related fields. For information and contacts details please see the Space & Astronomy Project List linked.

Location:  Various, AU (refer to the project list for specific details)
Stipend: $1,988.70 per fortnight

Duration: Placements are for 8 to 12 weeks between Nov 2025 and Feb 2026

Reference: 100723

As the successful candidate, you will need

• To be enrolled in an undergraduate course at an Australian Tertiary institution.

• Have completed at least 1 year (full-time equivalent) of an undergraduate course at the commencement of the studentship.
• A strong academic record (credit average or higher) and/or known capability in the field.
• An interest in pursuing a research career in science or technology, or a career in a related discipline.
• Be available to undertake a learning and development placement for 8 to 12 weeks over the summer vacation period.

Please see the Space & Astronomy Project List linked for more information on specific requirements for each project available with Space & Astronomy.

Eligibility

Applications for these studentships are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents; and international students who have full work rights for the duration of the placement (do not require visa sponsorship).

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.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Child Safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to Apply

To apply you will be required to:

1. Submit a Resume/CV and Cover Letter (as one document) in the ‘Resume/CV’ field. Your cover letter should include:

1. • The reasons why the studentship project/s you have selected interests you
   • How your studies and experience align with the project; and
   • An outline of the skills and knowledge you want to learn from a CSIRO Vacation Studentship project

2. Upload a copy of your academic transcript (unofficial version is acceptable) in the ‘Cover Letter’ field
3. In the ‘Education’ section select your university from the Educational Institute list; 
4. In the ‘Project-Specific Information’ section, select your two preferred research projects for Space & Astronomy in order of preference;
5. Enter your Grade Point Average (GPA) as per the University Admission Centre’s methodology. If you have a WAM, please read the Methodology on this site and calculate a GPA using the formula provided.

Please note that applications through this advertisement will only be accepted for Space & Astronomy specific projects. If you wish to be considered for multiple Vacation Studentships across different research areas, please make your additional applications through the relevant advertisements from the Studentships page.

Applications Close

7 August 2025, 11:00pm AEST