Research Associate

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 and beyond. CIRA is the lead organisation and operator of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), and a key participant in the international SKA project. CIRA comprises the Curtin node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), an unincorporated joint venture with the University of Western Australia and the WA Government Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science, and Industry.
  
CIRA and ICRAR deliver a dedicated Translation and Impact program (T&I) with a strong reputation for engaging with partners to share our skills, knowledge, and expertise for mutual benefit. By collaborating with experts in other domains (including industry), we can help boost capability, train WA’s future workforce, grow businesses, and create jobs.
  
To learn more about CIRA, please visit the below websites:
www.astronomy.curtin.edu.au
www.icrar.org
www.mwatelescope.org
www.skatelescope.org

About the Role:  

The Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA), a leading node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), is seeking an outstanding and motivated Research Associate to contribute to the study of radio transients using next-generation low-frequency radio telescopes. This three-year fixed-term appointment will support a widefield monitoring campaign utilising the upgraded Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), under the leadership of A/Prof Natasha Hurley-Walker. The successful candidate will play a key role in detecting and characterising long-period radio transients and related astrophysical phenomena, such as magnetars, pulsars, Galactic Centre radio transients, and Fast Radio Bursts. The appointee will also contribute to the forthcoming LOTRUN survey, leveraging the ASKAP/CRACO system to extend the transient search to new timescales and sensitivities. There will be substantial opportunity for follow-up across multiple wavelengths and collaboration with national and international teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and deploy continuous widefield monitoring strategies with the MWA.
• Analyse data from the LOTRUN survey and support the interpretation of long-period radio transients.
• Conduct multiwavelength observational campaigns to determine the astrophysical nature of transient sources.
• Disseminate research findings through high-quality publications and conference presentations.
• Co-supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students and contribute to the broader research programme in Galactic radio astronomy.

Selection Criteria:

• A PhD in radio astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or computer science.
• Demonstrated expertise in radio astronomical data processing, particularly transient or pulsar astrophysics.
• Proficiency in scripting (e.g., Python, Bash) and working within Linux-based computing environments.
• Experience with high-performance computing resources and automated data pipelines.
• A track record of scholarly research and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Capacity to work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

Desirable:

• Experience with low to mid-frequency radio datasets (MWA, ASKAP, LOFAR, etc.).
• Engagement in transient astrophysics or multiwavelength follow-up.
• Familiarity with telescopes such as ASKAP, MeerKAT, Parkes, or space-based observatories like Swift and Chandra.

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.
• Successful applicants are subject to a National Police Clearance, and background, integrity, and reference checks to Curtin’s satisfaction.  
• Ability to work outside of normal office hours when required.

About Curtin University 
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 apply via https://staff.curtin.edu.au/job-vacancies/?ja-job=736455 ensuring to attach the following documents:  

• Up to date resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest, experience and addressing the selection criteria for the role.

If you have any queries in relation to this opportunity or the application process, please contact our careers team on [email protected] or 08 9266 9000 (option 3,1), quoting the reference number. Please note applications will not be accepted via this email address.  

Applications close: 30 June 2025

Disclaimer: Please note that there is no standardised time for the closing of adverts on the specified date. Therefore, we recommend submitting your application ahead of this deadline. Late applications 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.