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Senior Research Officer - Offshore Fieldwork Specialist

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

Date posted: 31/3/2026

• Three-year fixed-term, full-time contract
• $106,094 - $113,913 (G07) per annum, plus 17% superannuation
• Based at the Bentley Campus, Perth; regular offshore fieldwork requirement

Job Reference: 1103031

The Centre for Marine Science and Technology (CMST), globally renowned for its expertise in underwater acoustics and marine research for over 40 years, is seeking a skilled professional with experience in multi-day (overnight) offshore fieldwork to join our vibrant, international team.

About the Role:

As a Senior Research Officer, you will play a pivotal role in running field programs that advance research in marine soundscapes and acoustic ecology. You’ll participate in 4–6 offshore expeditions each year, with each trip lasting 7–10 days and requiring intensive preparation in the lead-up. The role involves working under deck on a laptop, so strong sea-legs are essential.

You will be responsible for managing, deploying, and maintaining advanced acoustic equipment, designing and building oceanographic moorings, as well as supporting data analysis.

You will also have the opportunity to contribute to research papers and assist with student supervision.

Through your work, you will directly support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal No. 14: Life Below Water, delivering evidence-based solutions that preserve biodiversity, sustain livelihoods, and secure our marine environment for future generations.

Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Manage and maintain bioacoustic, underwater acoustic, and terrestrial acoustic equipment.
• Design and construct equipment mounts and moorings for field deployments.
• Maintain workshop stock list and order items as needed.
• Download, archive, and manage datasets.
• Analyse complex datasets and contribute to publications and conference presentations.
• Liaise with project stakeholders in industry, government, NGOs, etc.
• Support research students.
• Ensure compliance with safety, legislative, and university policies.

Whom we are looking for – Selection Criteria:

Essential:

• Degree (preferably honours) in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience/training.
• Significant experience in scientific fieldwork, especially multi-day offshore expeditions with nights spent on a rocking ship.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical skills, and organisational skills, with the ability to effectively manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines, and work within budget constraints.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a collegial, social team.
• Ability to obtain baseline security clearance.

Role Requirements:

• As this is a fixed-term contract, you will require current work rights in Australia that match the tenure of this role to be considered.
• Applicants must have the right to work in Australia. This position requires eligibility to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance (Negative Vetting 1). The role involves offshore and defence-related fieldwork, and access to certain sites, vessels, or projects is subject to additional security and access requirements.
• Successful applicants are subject to a National Police Clearance, and background, integrity, and reference checks to Curtin’s satisfaction.
• Willingness and fitness for interstate and/or overseas travel.

Your new Team – CMST:

At Curtin’s Centre for Marine Science and Technology (CMST), we harness cutting-edge technologies to reduce human impact on the ocean and protect marine ecosystems under pressure. Since 1985, our multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers has led globally recognised research in underwater acoustics and marine ecology.

CMST pioneers innovative methods to monitor and manage marine environments. We measure, monitor, model, and predict anthropogenic noise. We are experts in sound propagation and we map noise footprints. We have a 30-year database of underwater acoustic recordings from around (and beyond) Australia, to quantify ambient noise, put anthropogenic noise into context, and predict future soundscapes. We study the marine ecosystem, from whales and dolphins, to sea lions, fishes, crustaceans, and plankton. We are renowned for our research on the effects of noise on marine life. We advise on monitoring and mitigation strategies. Our research outputs directly inform management and policy.

We work in partnership with industry and government, and we nurture future marine scientists through postgraduate research and industry-linked projects.

To learn more about the Centre’s expertise, visit https://cmst.curtin.edu.au/.

Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace:

At Curtin University, we value the diversity of the community and are passionate about fostering an inclusive culture in which all people feel respected, valued, welcome and safe.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering is committed to equity and opportunity in all aspects of employment including recruitment, career development, promotion and workplace support.

To demonstrate this commitment, the faculty has developed a Diversity Awareness Program with a key focus on the areas of gender equity, diverse sex, sexuality and gender, ethnicity, disability and accessibility, and health and wellness. We aim to promote and improve awareness and participation of diversity and inclusion initiatives through the appointment of diversity representatives and champions of change across the faculty.

As a university and faculty, we believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation and drive excellence, and we encourage applications from every background, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people of diverse gender, sex and sexuality, people with disability and people from culturally and racially diverse backgrounds to join the Faculty of Science and Engineering and make tomorrow better.

Applicants with disability who require adjustments, or alternative methods of communication in the recruitment process can contact our friendly team at curtincareers@curtin.edu.au.

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/.

For more information on Curtin’s 2030 Strategic Plan, please visit https://www.curtin.edu.au/about/values-vision-strategy/curtin-2030-strategic-plan/

About Curtin University:

Curtin University proudly stands among the top 1% of global universities according to the ARWU 2024 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 endless 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 demonstrating how your background meets the position’s selection criteria (noted above) - no more than two pages.

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.

Applications close: 9.00pm (AWST) Monday 11th of June 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.