Australia is a member of the international organisation established to build and operate the world’s most powerful radio astronomy facility, the SKA Observatory (SKAO).
The SKA Observatory will consist of two radio-telescopes, one in Western Australia (SKA-Low), and one in South Africa (SKA-Mid). The two telescopes will observe the sky at different radio frequencies and complement each other scientifically.
CSIRO's role in the SKA project builds on decades of Australian ingenuity that places them among the best in the world in developing technologies for radio astronomy and operating national facilities for the benefit of scientific and broader communities.
As well as playing the major role of developing the site for the SKA-Low telescope in Australia, they've been involved in the SKA project since its conception and they've worked with industry, universities and other key science organisations on the final design, prototyping and testing of elements for the SKA telescopes.
The SKA-Low telescope will be located at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia, on Wajarri Yamaji Country. Inyarrimanha ilgari bundara means 'sharing sky and stars' in the Wajarri language. It represents the deep connection to sky and Country held by the Wajarri Yamaji as well as sharing their sky and stars with the global astronomy community by hosting these world-leading radio telescopes on Country.
It is a world-class site for radio astronomy in the Australian outback and CSIRO will be leading and contributing to a number of technology and infrastructure work packages associated with SKA-Low.
CSIRO researchers pioneered radio interferometry, the technique the SKA telescopes use, and have continued to contribute to the advancement of radio astronomy ever since. They have contributed to SKA design and science since conception.
As the project moves from conception to construction and delivery, the CSIRO are offering a range of opportunities, including:
CSIRO offers a workplace where people come first and they are supported with flexible work practices and ongoing career development in a diverse and inclusive environment.
By mainstreaming flexibility, CSIRO are accelerating every team member's access and uptake of flexible work arrangements. With their Balance initiative in place, they are moving away from a one size fits all approach to how, when and where their people work to enable each person to shape their own working arrangements.
CSIRO offer a broad range of learning and development opportunities including face-to-face and blended programs, self-directed learning resources, and on-the-job development. Supplementing formal development opportunities are initiatives such as coaching and mentoring, and the potential to attend or present at conferences.
CSIRO is committed to creating a better future for Australia, through fostering world-class dynamic teams, where people are enabled to work seamlessly in an inclusive one-CSIRO culture. Their success rests on their ability to bring out the best from a thriving culture, and in doing so they believe in, and respect, the power of diverse perspectives and learn from the uniqueness of their people.