Job opportunity: Deputy/Science Director, Space & Astronomy

The Opportunity

• Exceptional leadership opportunity with Space & Astronomy
• High profile role with significant global scope & partnerships
• Contribute to the management of Australia’s world class space & astronomy facilities

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has strong capabilities and partnerships in astronomy, technology and space, developed over the past 75 years. Our Space & Astronomy business unit has over 300 people working across Australia to understand our Universe, contribute to solving the greatest challenges, and build future industry.

We have worked with NASA since 1962, and in July 1969 played a key role in bringing images of the Apollo 11 Moon landing to more than 600 million people around the world. We currently manage the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex for NASA and operate the New Norcia deep space tracking station in Western Australia for the European Space Agency.

We operate and manage Australia’s leading radio astronomy observatories as a national research facility – the ATNF – used by astronomers from across Australia and around the world. The ATNF includes the Parkes Telescope, the Australia Telescope Compact Array, and Australia’s newest radio telescope, the wide-field Australian SKA Pathfinder. We have a rich heritage of instrument development for radio astronomy, including innovative wide-field and wide-band receivers now deployed on ATNF telescopes and at major overseas observatories. CSIRO is an operating partner to the international SKA Observatory. The SKA-Low telescope located at our Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia will reveal the hidden Universe while creating jobs and opportunities for Australians.

We work with leading global companies and more than 30 small-to-medium businesses on a range of space-related activities, and we’re a key technology partner to the new Australian Space Agency supporting the Agency’s goal of tripling the size of the Australian space industry by 2030.

The Deputy/Science Director works closely with the Director to oversee programs and activities within the business unit and ensure the long-term success and growth of world-leading space & astronomy activity in Australia. The Deputy/Science Director provides scientific vision and cross-disciplinary leadership in areas relevant to their expertise, managing key relationships within and beyond CSIRO. They are a member of the CSIRO Science Council, deputising for the Director as required.