Three-year fixed term, full time opportunity
- $97,711 - $108,683 (ALA5-8) per annum, plus 17% superannuation
- Based at the Bentley Campus, Perth, Western Australia
**Reference Number**: 1005524**
- _Please note, as per Curtin's 2022-2025 EBA, a 3.5% salary increase will take effect on 20 June 2025._
**About the Role**:
The Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA) is seeking a Research Associate in the field of fast radio bursts (FRBs) as part of the Commensal Real-time ASKAP Fast Transients (CRAFT) survey with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). The position is available from July 2025 for a duration of three years.
- Working with our newly commissioned coherent FRB detection system (CRACO) on ASKAP, which has also detected Galactic sources such as long-period transients and RRATs.
- Utilising our offline processing pipeline, CELEBI, on the Swinburne supercomputer to localise FRBs and correlate their properties with host galaxies.
- Using FRBs to investigate cosmological gas distribution and population properties through simulations and the zDM code.
- Conducting follow-up observations of FRBs and their host galaxies across optical, radio, and other wavelengths.
You will also work closely with members of the F4 (Fast and Fortunate FRB Follow-up) Collaboration regarding FRB host galaxies, within the Square Kilometre Array Transients Science Working Group, and with A/Prof Natasha Hurley-Walker on the study of Galactic transients.
**Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to**:
- Collaborate with other members of the CRAFT Collaboration, both nationally and internationally
- Contribute to CRAFT through software development
- Perform detailed analyses of fast radio bursts, in terms of their host galaxies, high-time-resolution properties, and/or their dispersion measure budget
- Attend relevant workshops and conferences, including CRAFT busy-weeks
- Publish papers in refereed scientific journals
- Supervise undergraduate and co-supervise higher degree by research students
- Contribute to an inclusive workplace environment that promotes the happiness and wellbeing of CIRA employees, as per Curtin University's Code of Conduct
**Who we are looking for - Selection Criteria**:
**Essential Criteria**:
- A doctoral qualification (or near completion) in astronomy/astrophysics
- Demonstrated knowledge in at least one of radio astronomy, cosmology, extragalactic astronomy, and/or signal processing
- Demonstrated competency in a range of qualitative and quantitative research
- Emerging research track record/potential to conduct quality research and contribute productively to research teams under supervision.
- Demonstrated high level organisational skills.
- Clearly demonstrated high-level communication skills, in both oral and written form.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a research team, and a commitment to fostering a collegial and supportive working environment.
- Demonstrated experience or interest in supervising Higher Degree by Research students.
- Commitment to principles of equity and diversity and demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
**Role Requirements**:
**Your new Team - CIRA**:
CIRA is located in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, and the traditional home of the Noongar people. We are committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion, and enjoy an equitable, diverse, tolerant, and friendly work culture.
A/Prof Clancy W. James is the lead of The Nearby Universe Science program at the Curtin node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, which funds this position. The Researcher will join this growing research group at CIRA, contributing to and helping to direct its research activities, and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students.
**Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace**:
At Curtin University, we are passionate about fostering an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment in which all people feel respected, valued and safe. Curtin is dedicated to promoting gender equity and inclusivity in all areas. We are proud of our achievements to date and recognise that there is that there is more to do to improve employment outcomes for women and people of diverse gender identities, particularly in STEMM disciplines.
As an Athena SWAN accredited institution, we celebrate diversity and actively work to advance the representation of women and gender-diverse people in STEMM areas and empower individuals so they can thrive in their careers through a range of supportive initiatives, including leadership training, mentorship for early career progression and promotion, networking opportunities, and other professional development resources.
As reflected in the Athena Swan Charter, gender equality is a broader issue that extends beyond barriers affecting women alone, and we are committed to addressing these challenges holistically.
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