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Research Associate

• Faculty of Science & Engineering
• Perth, Western Australia
• Contract Full Time

Date posted: 13/6/2026

• Ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide (ARWU 2025)
• Diverse & inclusive environment that fosters innovation & collaboration
• Work-life balance options, flexible work arrangements

Job Reference: 1627232

About the Role: The successful candidate will join the Australian team analysing data from the Murchison Widefield Array to study the Epoch of Reionisation. The candidate will work with new MWA Phase 3 data, and two existing data analysis pipelines, including the ability to improve existing, and build new functionality. The candidate will lead new data analysis techniques, in addition to performing data analysis. Components of the pipelines that may be improved include RFI identification and mitigation, sky model calibration, quality assessment metrics, and direction-dependent calibration and peeling. The role will be appointed at Curtin University and reports formerly to Professor Cathryn Trott (Curtin), with project management overseen jointly by Prof. Trott and by Dr Nichole Barry at UNSW, with the incumbent residing in Perth. The candidate will spend at least 8 weeks per year in Sydney, supported by a generous travel allowance. The role will include collaborative code practices, and development of both data analysis pipelines.

Please note, our ideal candidate will be able to commence the role prior to December 31, 2026.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Operating and monitoring the MWA Epoch of Reionisation Nextflow pipeline
• Developing and applying new tools for the processing pipeline
• Developing and applying FAIR software and documentation
• Undertaking research with application to observational 21cm cosmology
• Publication of key research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals
• Presentation of key research fundings at domestic and international conferences
• Contributing effort to both the Curtin-Hyperdrive, and UNSW-FHD processing pipelines
• Assisting with HDR and undergraduate student supervision
• Participating in CIRA's High-z group activities, including regular meetings and presentation of work
• Contribute to promoting principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Who We Are Looking For - Selection Criteria:

Essential:

1. A PhD in astronomy, or closely-related field, conferred within five years of the advertisement date.
2. An emerging track record of research publications in Q1 journals
3. Experience with low-frequency radio interferometry data
4. Strong scientific software skills (e.g., Python, C, Rust)
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills
6. Demonstrated ability to manage a research project, and report on progress
7. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse and distributed team

Desirable:

1. Experience with Nextflow pipelines
2. Experience with 21cm cosmology data and workflows
3. Knowledge of, and experience in, FAIR coding principles, including collaborative coding practices through platforms like Github

Role Requirements:

• As this is a fixed-term contract, you will require current work rights in Australia that match the tenure of this role. Relocation support will be considered for suitable candidates.
• Successful applicants are subject to a National Police Clearance, and background, integrity, and reference checks to Curtin’s satisfaction.
• Allocated travel of at least 8 weeks per year to UNSW (Sydney) for collaborative research.

Your New Team - The Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA)

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 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.skatelescope.org

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 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:

This 3-year fixed term, full-time ALA level role attracts a remuneration of $104,917 (ALA.6) - $112,487 (ALA.8) + 17% superannuation.

Situated on Whadjuk Nyungar Country, our vibrant Bentley campus includes an art gallery, gym, childcare and medical centre, bus station, accessible parking and a variety 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
• A document addressing the selection criteria for the role (noted above)

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. Applications will not be accepted via this email address, and late applications will not be accepted.

Applications close: 9pm (AWST), Saturday, 11 July, 2026

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, remove the advert, not to make an appointment, or to appoint by invitation, at any time.