Research Associate - Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA)

• Three-year fixed term, full-time contract. Flexible work hours are negotiable.
• $101,131 - $112,487 (ALA.5-ALA.8) p.a. +17% super & other generous benefits.
• Located at the Bentley Campus. Easily accessible location & EOT facilities.

About the Role: This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to CIRA’s research programs, with a focus on the research area of high-energy transients in star clusters. This is an ARC grant-funded project, and you will work under the guidance and support of Dr. Kristen Dage to deliver research outputs with increasing degrees of autonomy.

The group at CIRA studies a variety of accreting compact objects, from X-ray binaries to tidal disruption events, seeking to understand how these energetic systems form and evolve, and particularly how the dynamic star cluster environment can affect their formation and evolution.
In this role, you will focus on modeling populations of star clusters and search for the high energy signatures of black holes in star clusters, using a variety of new and available multiwavelength observations. You will also be expected to contribute toward student supervision at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and engage in appropriate service-related activities both within CIRA and the broader University.
Your responsibilities will include:

Research

• Contribute to research output, normally as part of a research group.
• Participate in applications for competitive funding.
• Disseminate research findings through seminars, workshops and conferences
• Publish/exhibit in high quality journals/outlets (often in collaboration with colleagues) in a manner consistent with disciplinary practice.
• Undertake principal supervision of honours and research masters, and co-supervision of research doctoral students where appropriate.
• Undertake administrative functions associated with research activities.

Service

• Contribute to academic service and leadership, engagement and management within the University.
• Contribute to external activities relevant to the discipline/profession and community engagement.
• Foster and promote relationships with professional bodies, industry and affiliated associations, government departments, and the wider community.

Other

• Undertake other activities associated with the organizational area, which the incumbent might reasonably be expected to do, and which are consistent with the specific accountabilities and responsibilities outlined above.
• Engage in appropriate professional development and mentoring programs of Conduct and Vision, Mission and Values.

Who we are looking for – Selection Criteria:
Please note you are not required to address each element of the selection criteria, but you should provide sufficient information in your application to enable the selection panel to make an informed assessment of your suitability for the role. These may be addressed in your cover letter (preferred) or a stand-alone document.

Please consider Curtin’s Values and how they apply to the advertised position. Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their commitment to the Values of Curtin in their professional and/or personal life, which are:

• Integrity – to act ethically, honestly and with fairness
• Respect – to listen, value and acknowledge
• Courage – to lead, take responsibility and question
• Excellence – to strive for excellence and distinction
• Impact – to empower, enable and inspire

Essential Criteria:

• Progress towards a doctoral qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or computer science).
• Demonstrated relevant subject/discipline knowledge and knowledge and experience in relevant research techniques.
• Demonstrated competency in a range of qualitative and quantitative research tasks.
• Emerging research track record/potential to conduct quality research and contribute productively to research teams under supervision.
• Demonstrated high level organisational skills.
• Demonstrated high level communication and interpersonal skills with a commitment to the development of a collegial and supportive working environment and the ability to interact with students and staff with cross cultural sensitivity.
• Demonstrated commitment to applying relevant and applicable policies, procedures and legislation in the day-to-day performance of the functions of this position.

Desirable:

• A doctoral qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or computer science).
• Experience working with observations or modeling of star clusters.
• Experience with or skills relevant to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).
• Demonstrated familiarity with stellar population modeling, multiwavelength astronomy, handling large datasets, or time domain astrophysics.

Role Requirements:

• As this is a fixed-term contract, you will require current work rights in Australia that match the tenure of this role. We will also consider international candidates who are eligible for a relevant visa.
• Successful applicants are subject to a National Police Clearance, and background, integrity, and reference checks to Curtin’s satisfaction.

Your new Team – CIRA:
The Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA) is a multi-disciplinary research institute engaged in a range of projects involving or motivated by radio astronomy. CIRA’s activities draw together academic research and professional staff from a variety of science, engineering, and computing disciplines to tackle unique and demanding challenges in radio astronomy. CIRA is the lead organisation and operator of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), and a key participant in the international SKA project.

CIRA celebrates diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all cultures, races, nationalities, genders, identities, and abilities aligning with the selection criteria, and are committed to preserving our principles of equitable and inclusive work and study environments.

To learn more about CIRA, please visit the below websites:
www.astronomy.curtin.edu.au
www.icrar.org
www.mwatelescope.org
www.skao.int

Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace:
At Curtin University, we are passionate about fostering an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment in which all people feel respected, valued and safe. Curtin is dedicated to promoting gender equity and inclusivity in all areas. We are proud of our achievements to date and recognise that there is that there is more to do to improve employment outcomes for women and people of diverse gender identities, particularly in STEMM disciplines.

As an Athena SWAN accredited institution, we celebrate diversity and actively work to advance the representation of women and gender-diverse people in STEMM areas and empower individuals so they can thrive in their careers through a range of supportive initiatives, including leadership training, mentorship for early career progression and promotion, networking opportunities, and other professional development resources.

As reflected in the Athena Swan Charter, gender equality is a broader issue that extends beyond barriers affecting women alone, and we are committed to addressing these challenges holistically.

Additionally, we offer staff a competitive remuneration and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• 17% superannuation, plus a variety of salary packaging options.
• Paid Parental leave (26 weeks for the primary caregiver and 3 weeks for non-primary) subject to eligibility criteria outlined in the Enterprise Agreement; personal leave (14 days) and annual leave (20 days)
• Enjoy 12 Public Holidays each year (including Easter Tuesday!), and 2 extra University Days over the Christmas/New Year Period (see EBA 51.1 and 51.9).
• Breastfeeding facilities and campus-based childcare (where priority of placement is given to Curtin staff and students)
• Flexible work arrangements including return to work provisions
• On-campus medical centre
• Academic Carer Support Scheme and other diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives detailed via the below link.

We believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation and drive excellence, and we encourage women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of diverse gender, sex and sexuality, people with disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of STEMM together and making tomorrow better.

To find out more about our comprehensive diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives, please visit https://www.curtin.edu.au/about/values-vision-strategy/diversity-equity/gender-equity-and-inclusion/

About Curtin University
Curtin University proudly stands among the top one percent of global universities according to the ARWU 2025 rankings. We are an energetic, dedicated team of academics and professionals working together to provide global solutions through quality graduates and innovative research. Curtin is a welcoming space where integrity, respect for one another, courage, excellence, and impact are essential to everyday life. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information, please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page - https://staff.curtin.edu.au/discover-curtin/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-curtin/

What We Offer You:
Situated on Whadjuk Nyungar Country, our vibrant Bentley campus includes an art gallery, gym, childcare and medical centre, bus station, accessible parking and a wide variety of food options including a supermarket. Aside from the vibrant campus life, we offer more than just a job. Curtin offers a wide range of generous benefits, including additional leave, salary packaging, health and wellbeing services and an array of discounts for retail, travel and much more.

For more reasons to work at Curtin, please visit https://staff.curtin.edu.au/discover-curtin/

Join Us!
If this sounds like your next role, please click APPLY NOW ensuring to attach the following documents:

• Up to date Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience and addressing the selection criteria for the role (noted above).

Please ensure you complete all the requested information in the ‘Details’ page in the application link.

If you have any queries in relation to this opportunity or the application process, please contact our careers team on CurtinCareers@curtin.edu.au or 08 9266 9000 (option 3,1), quoting the reference number. Please note applications will not be accepted via this email address.

Alternatively, call the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy on phone number (+61) 08 9266 4669.

Applications close: 8.30pm (AWST), Sunday, 1 March 2026.

Late applications or applications received via email will not be considered, and only successful candidates will be contacted.

Please note we are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies at this time.

Curtin reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw from the recruitment process, not to make an appointment, or to appoint by invitation, at any time. We reserve the right to remove the advert earlier than the date on the advert.