SeaSim National Facility Technical Director

About AIMS
The Australian Institute of Marine Science is Australia’s tropical marine research agency.
We are a trusted advisor, a partner and employer of choice, and we value integrity, innovation, collaboration and respect. AIMS’ research of Australia’s tropical marine ecosystems guides their effective environmental management and contributes to our understanding of similar ecosystems around the world.
Our research seeks to deliver practical benefit to all Australians and supports the sustainable use of our tropical marine estate. Governments, reef managers, industry and the wider community look to our high-quality, long-term research for informed decisions about our iconic Great Barrier Reef, North-West Shelf, and Arafura and Timor Seas. AIMS expert teams at our locations in Townsville, Darwin and Perth have access to world-class infrastructure, unique datasets, cutting-edge laboratories, and a fleet of modern research vessels.
About this exciting opportunity
We are seeking an exceptional leader to join us in this unique opportunity to lead nationally significant research infrastructure that supports world-class marine and environmental science. As Technical Director, you will provide strategic and operational leadership of the National Sea Simulator (SeaSim), ensuring its continued excellence as trusted partner of researchers, government, industry and international collaborators.
The Technical Director is accountable for the end-to-end leadership of the SeaSim, optimising operations supporting science objectives while driving capability uplift aligned to AIMS and national science priorities. You will have a key role in bridging strategy and operations by translating organisational priorities into facility performance, future-focused capability development and outstanding stakeholder outcomes.
As the principal technical authority for SeaSim, you will ensure experimental integrity, maintain facility standards, guide infrastructure investment, and foster a culture of science excellence, safety, collaboration and continuous improvement. Key objectives of the role include:

• Overseeing technical, operational, financial and workforce management functions of SeaSim.
• Championing a proactive workplace health and safety culture across SeaSim, and ensuring compliance with WHS requirements, risk management frameworks and regulatory obligations.
• Delivering safe, reliable and efficient facility operations aligned with AIMS' strategic goals and national science priorities.
• Driving high facility utilisation and fulfilment of stakeholder commitments and National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) obligations. Delivering outstanding user experiences and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Providing strategic leadership for capability development, infrastructure planning and future growth.
• Overseeing technical protocols, facility standards and quality assurance processes.
• Supporting emerging science through targeted capability upgrades and technology development initiatives.
• Optimising workforce capability, technical assets and resource allocation.
• Building strong relationships with internal and external researchers, partners and collaborators.

About you
You are a strategic, collaborative and technically credible leader who thrives in complex research environments. You will be passionate about enabling scientific excellence through exceptional facility management and possess the vision to share the future capability of a nationally important research infrastructure, and balance strategic thinking with operational execution. To be successful in this role you will bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in marine science and/or significant experience managing major research infrastructure and multi-user facilities, with a strong understanding of experimental design within National Facility environments and demonstrated capability in managing financial, human and technical resources; or an equivalent combination of relevant qualifications and professional experience.
• Demonstrated success in leading the delivery of high-level professional services within a scientific research environment, including building strong stakeholder relationships, aligning services with organisational objectives, fostering innovation and collaboration, and effectively identifying challenges, managing risks, assessing needs and delivering solutions that balance competing priorities while ensuring client satisfaction.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire high-performing teams and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, creativity and excellence. You will possess advanced problem-solving, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to work effectively on complex and sensitive matters involving diverse stakeholders and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects and managing day-to-day operations within a research, scientific or technical environment, including strategic planning, prioritisation, resource allocation, risk management and performance monitoring to deliver outcomes safely, efficiently, on time and within budget.

Apply now and join a world leading organisation with attractive working conditions. In line with our Enterprise Agreement, the successful candidate will be rewarded with:

• AIMS AOF Level 6 salary ($146,063 to $164,591 per annum) plus 15.4% superannuation
• Full-time Permanent opportunity
• Located in Townsville (Qld)
• 9-day fortnight, enjoy a long weekend each fortnight
• Flexible Work Arrangements considered including hybrid working (where suitable)
• Generous and supportive leave entitlements
• Access to Commuter car fleet arrangements to travel to site (in Townsville only)
• Salary Sacrifice opportunities
• Access to Fitness Passport program, offering discounted membership to selected gyms
• Employee Assistance Program
• Relocation assistance available

Discover more about Working at AIMS | AIMS.
Please note:
Non-Australian Citizens must hold an appropriate Visa with working entitlements that allows paid employment with AIMS from commencement and for the term of the appointment, depending on the relevant Department of Home Affairs current policies. AIMS may be able to consider sponsorship for international applicants for this role, however, please note that visa processing times can impact the ability for AIMS to consider sponsorship for vacancies. AIMS must meet the requirements of the Department of Home Affairs immigration policies and processes, including the necessity to test the local labour market for suitable applicants. This includes international talent pool members who are Australian visa holders who have relevant working rights.
Next Step
Further information about this exciting and challenging opportunity is outlined in the Candidate Information Pack which is available to download from our website www.aims.gov.au. If, after reviewing the position description and selection criteria included in the Candidate Information Pack, you believe that your qualifications, experience and professional capabilities will enable you to successfully the deliver the position responsibilities, we encourage you to make an application via our website.
Submitting your Application: Please ensure that you have your completed documents (selection criteria responses, resume and cover letter) ready to attach to your online application form via our e-recruitment system which can be accessed via our website www.aims.gov.au.
Position enquiries are to be directed to Dr Richard Brinkman, Chief Operating Officer at r.brinkman@aims.gov.au. Applications must be made through our website per above.
Applications close: WEDNESDAY, 12 AUGUST 2026 (11.45PM, AEST).
AIMS acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia's first scientists. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and future, and the custodians of the land and sea Country on which we work.