Undergraduate Vacation Studentships - Biosecurity

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 Biosecurity are working to protect Australia from biosecurity threats arising from global travel and trade and exacerbated by urbanisation and climate change. Our goal is to deliver solutions to ensure Australia is prepared and ready to respond to existing and emerging risks to protect our environment, our agricultural industry and our way of life.

Role particulars

Projects: Biosecurity currently have 17 projects available across a range of disciplines including computer science, software engineering, biomedical engineering, environmental science, machine learning and related fields. For information and contacts details please see th Biosecurity Project List 

Location:  Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne (refer to the project list for specific details). 
Stipend:  $2,056.32 per fortnight
Duration: Placements are for 8 to 12 weeks between Nov 2026 and Feb 2027
Reference:  103676

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 Biosecurity Project List 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 Platinum 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 a single document) in the ‘Resume/CV’ field. Your cover letter should outline why the studentship project/s you have selected are of interest to you; and how this program will support your longer-term career aspirations.

2. Upload a copy of your academic transcript (unofficial version is acceptable) in the ‘Cover Letter’ field
3. Select your university from the Educational Institute list in the ‘Education’ section; 
4. Select your two preferred research projects for Biosecurity in order of preference in the ‘Project-Specific Information’ section; and
5. Enter your Grade Point Average (GPA) as per 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 Biosecurity 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

10 August 2026, 11:00pm AEST