"Research Assistant - Oceanography"

Research Assistant - Oceanography

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Job no: 538186
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Research Administration support

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

The Research Assistant is responsible for providing proactive, practical, and efficient administrative and technical support to the Coastal and Regional Oceanography Laboratory at UNSW, Sydney. The Coastal and Regional Oceanography group is a dynamic team of researchers, including academics, postdoctorals, technical staff, and PhD students conducting research focussed on the dynamics of the East Australian Current System and the continental shelf circulation along the coast of SE Australia. The team are based in the School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences with close collaborations with the School of Maths and Statistics.

The role of the Research Assistant is to support a variety of ocean research projects, requiring the ongoing collection and processing of oceanographic (temperature, salinity, velocity etc.) data. In addition, the work will include shore-based testing, trouble shooting, packing and shipping of electronic oceanographic instruments, updating instrument inventory databases, monitoring of ocean data collection and fleet status, trouble shooting, data processing and quality control of the oceanographic data collected.

About the role

• Level 5 - $88K - $100K plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 2 years
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

The role reports to Professor Moninya Roughan and has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Assist in the ongoing operation of the UNSW oceanography data collection program
• Setup, testing, and download of data from oceanographic instruments (primarily GPS units, Wifi enabled communications, Moana TDs, with scope to learn about other instruments).
• Assist with sensor installations on Fishing vessels and liaise with fishing sector stake holders, both remotely (over the phone) and in person; and respond to a range of in-person, telephone and email enquiries from internal and external stakeholders, and initiate, action or escalate as necessary.
• Conduct regular and consistent monitoring of active instruments and the data received from them to ensure proper functionality and performance; troubleshoot issues as required and escalate to appropriate teams when necessary.
• Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of oceanographic instruments, following established procedures and guidance from senior staff on more complex fault resolution (e.g. replacing batteries and O-rings, trouble shooting wifi connections etc) and testing of all instrumentation types.
• Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of instruments and vessels including participation agreements as well as calibration, battery and servicing registries.
• Participate in regular meetings to provide update, feedback, and status of instruments deployments. Preparing and shipping instruments to manufacturer for calibration or for deployment on fishing vessels.
• Liaise with manufacturers and suppliers regarding purchasing, maintenance, and calibration of instrumentation, and undertake internal procurement processes.
• Contribute to monthly data collection / status reports, technical reports, operating procedures, manuals, presentations, research proposals and research publications where required.
• Participation in field activities on occasion.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policy and procedures of the University and take all reasonable care to ensure your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself and others.

About the successful applicant
(Selection Criteria)

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A university degree in Oceanography or related discipline (including environmental science, coastal or ocean engineering, fisheries science), or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through a combination of education, training or experience.
• Computing skills using desktop software and applications such as MS Office, Teams, Zoom
• Sound organisational skills including ability to prioritise tasks and duties under established priorities
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to provide effective service and support to lab colleagues and external collaborators
• Effective interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively independently under guidance, or as part of a team.
• Current drivers’ licence, First Aid certificate or ability to obtain one.
• Demonstrated ability in the use and administration of online systems and databases.
• Physically fit with the ability to undertake manual handling of heavy equipment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally and work flexible hours needed to support operational requirements.
• Demonstrated offshore experience in assisting with the deployment of oceanographic instrumentation or similar boat-based field work.
• Confident using a range of basic workshop tools for servicing and maintaining oceanographic gear.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

For informal queries, please see the below contact details.

Otherwise, please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed.

Contact: Sarah Franklin
E: sarah.franklin@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: March 17th, 2026