Radio Astronomy Spectrum Manager

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the areas that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Role highlights

• Bring your expertise in radio astronomy, radiocommunication system design or radio frequency interference (RFI) management to work
• Develop software and build on research that directly influences how telescopes and satellites can coexist
• Grow in this role to be the voice of science in global regulatory environment and help safeguard the future of space science and global communications

About CSIRO and Space & Astronomy

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit for more information.

Our expertise is in understanding the Universe, using radio telescopes, including observing Earth from space. Through our Space and Astronomy research unit, we operate world-class national facilities for radio astronomy, spacecraft communications and tracking, and collecting satellite-derived data about Earth, for customers from across Australia and the world. CSIRO's Space & Astronomy (S&A) builds and operates radio telescopes around Australia, including Murriyang, CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope (the iconic Parkes "Dish"), the Australia Telescope Compact Array at Narrabri, ASKAP, the Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope in remote Western Australia. CSIRO is also a partner in the international SKA project in building the next generation of radio telescopes, and operates the Australian SKA site at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, our Murchison Radio Observatory.

Visit Space and astronomy - CSIRO for more information.

The opportunity

As a Radio Astronomy Spectrum Manager, you will join a globally engaged team shaping the future of radio astronomy. Drawing on your extensive technical knowledge, this role will require a long-term commitment and active participation in national and international spectrum management, the development of robust interference mitigation strategies, and collaboration with commercial and regulatory stakeholders.

You will not only provide complex technical expertise in radio astronomy and RF engineering, with a strong grasp of interference mitigation techniques, but you will also provide expert advice and influence strategic decisions across a globally connected site. Owing to the global nature of this regulatory and scientific environment, frequent international travel will be required for you to be successful.

What is so exciting about this opportunity? Looking at the long-term nature of regulatory processes, you should be willing to commit to this role for at least two World Radio Conference (WRC) cycles – 8 years. Growth opportunities within the role, with a gradual increase of responsibilities as your expertise grows, will be considered.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Undertake research, development and implementation of cutting-edge RFI mitigation strategies.
• Conduct and analyse RF measurement campaigns, presenting findings at global forums and scientific conferences.
• Build and maintain RFI monitoring solutions and software tools in collaboration with RF engineers.
• Represent Australian radio astronomy interests in national (ARSG/ACMA), regional (APT), and international (ITU) regulatory processes.
• Advise stakeholders across science, industry, and government on the impact of RF interference.
• Communicate your work through reports, publications, and presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Role particulars

Location: Sydney (Marsfield), NSW

Salary: AU$114k - AU$123k pa (pro-rata for part-time) + up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Indefinite, Full-time

Reference: 101010

As a successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in radio astronomy, electrical engineering, radiocommunications engineering, applied physics or similar.
• Proven experience and domain knowledge of radio astronomy, radiocommunication system design or radio frequency interference management.
• Proven track record of relevant scientific publications.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to publish results, prepare reports, and present technical material to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated willingness to apply scientific expertise to new domains and unusual problems.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a small team, collaborate widely both internally and externally, and provide guidance to managers and staff, including the provision of ad hoc support.

Desirable

• Knowledge of national/international radio spectrum management framework.
• Python and C software development experience.
• Proven experience in providing technical advice for regulatory or policy decisions.
• Experience in a scientific or technology organisation.

To see the full list of desired criteria for this role, please view the Position Description.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/ New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents only. Appointment to this role is subject to the provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don't let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting You Up for Success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact the Talent Consultant as mentioned on the position description and let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise that true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to apply

Please apply online, and provide a CV and a detailed cover letter (maximum 2 pages), responding to each of the selection criteria in detail, that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please attach your selection criteria responses to your cover letter as one document.

Applications close

31 October 2025, 11:00 pm AEST

We strongly encourage you to apply early, as we will review applications as they come in. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date, if required.

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