Blog icon

SKA-Low: Australia’s first mega-science project

The SKAO is an international organisation coordinating a global effort to build the largest science facility on the planet.

The SKAO, or SKA Observatory, is one global observatory operating two telescopes and working across three sites, Australia, South Africa and the UK, on behalf of the Member States and partners. The SKAO’s telescopes will deliver more than half a century of transformational science that promises to have a major impact on society, in science and beyond. 

As a member country of the SKAO and host of the SKA-Low telescope, it is the first time that Australia will play a key role in a mega-science project.

The SKA-Low telescope will be located at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia, on Wajarri Yamaji Country. The SKA-Mid telescope is being built in the Karoo in South Africa. These remote and radio quiet regions are the best places in the world to detect radio signals from space.

In Australia, the SKAO is collaborating with CSIRO to build and operate the SKA-Low telescope.

We acknowledge the Wajarri Yamaji as the Traditional Owners and native title holders of Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory site. 

Current opportunities

SKA-Low jobs (SKAO|CSIRO)

We are hiring talented individuals across a range of areas to join the SKAO in Australia.

SKAO jobs (Australia and worldwide)

The SKAO global headquarters is currently hiring team members to work in Australia, South Africa and the UK.

SKA-related jobs (CSIRO)

Find SKA project and precursor jobs including at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory.

Future opportunities

If you would like to know more about future opportunities in the areas below, please contact Mark Rice, Talent Acquisition Specialist.

Indigenous careers

CSIRO is seeking expressions of interest from motivated and driven Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to fill a range of full-time, part-time, and casual roles at the SKAO. Including roles onsite at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia, on Wajarri Yamaji Country. Contact the Indigenous Careers team on IndigenousCareers@csiro.au or register your interest.

Engineering operations

Our Engineering Operations team work innovatively and collaboratively to keep the SKA-Low Telescope operating at optimum performance. We have a range of exciting opportunities available within our Engineering Operations team, from entry level positions through to experienced professionals and experts in their fields.

Computing and software

Our Computing and Software team need to meet the demands of a ‘big data’ facility, delivering novel computing, scientific software, and technology solutions.

Construction support

The SKA-Low Telescope will take almost a decade to build, working in a remote and challenging environment, and requires engineers, technicians, electricians and site workers.

Field technicians and engineering operations

Our Engineering Operations team work innovatively and collaboratively to keep the SKA-Low Telescope operating at optimum performance.

Business enabling

As an intergovernmental organisation, we work across international borders in finance, procurement, HR, legal, communications and outreach, IT and administrative roles.

Commissioning

Our commissioning staff work collaboratively across astronomy, interferometry, signal processing, data-analysis and hardware engineering to meet science and operational user needs.

From CSIRO’s SKA-Low Facility Director, Dr George Simpson

Australia has been a leader in radio astronomy for decades.

With the SKA-Low Telescope, Australia has for the first time been chosen to co-host a large science project on behalf of the international community.

The SKA-Low Telescope is part of the SKA Observatory – a global scientific facility that will deliver half a century of transformational science and address the most difficult questions in astronomy.

It is also an international ‘mega-science’ project that will drive innovation across many sectors. The discoveries we make along the way will have spinoffs for Australian and global industries.

SKA-Low will help to cement Australia as a global leader in science and technology, and I am excited to welcome a diverse team to join us to deliver this unique project.

More about the SKAO mission
/-/media/Careers/Images/SKA-site.jpg?mw=1000&hash=8C5DD56603560077C23E4DFA72F3972E