CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area 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. View our vision towards reconciliation.
Solve Australia’s greatest challenges with the CSIRO National Collections and Marine Infrastructure Team!
- Are you undertaking a degree in biology, ecology, anthropology; GIS, spatial analysis or related field?
- Get hands‑on research experience with a team that fosters a shared vision to create measurable economic, environmental and social impact.
- Join CSIRO – Australia’s leading scientific research organisation!
The opportunities we are offering
CSIRO’s National Collections and Marine Infrastructure (NCMI) unit manages collections of plants and animals of Australian and international significance, hosts and contributes to the Atlas of Living Australia, and operates the Marine National Facility on behalf of Australia. We also do research on how we discover, understand and measure our biodiversity to support its management across Australia’s vast land and sea environments. Together, these programs contribute to evidence‑based support for biosecurity, conservation and the development of sustainable land and marine management systems.
Our Undergraduate Vacation Studentships are run over the Australian summer holidays and offer undergraduate students the opportunity to collaborate with leading CSIRO researchers in our world‑class facilities.
Students will have the chance to work on a real project in science, technology or a related field such as science communication.
Participation in the Vacation Studentship Program has influenced previous scholarship holders in their choice of further study and future career options. Many have gone on to pursue a PhD in collaboration with CSIRO or to build a successful research career within CSIRO, a university or industry.
Projects: National Collections and Marine Infrastructure have 2 projects available in their Indigenous Undergraduate Vacation Studentship Program; for details please see the NCMI Indigenous Studentship Project List.
Location: Perth, WA and Cairns, QLD. Travel assistance will be provided for interstate students, typically covering return flights at the start and end of the program, and some accommodation support.
Stipend: $2,056.33 per fortnight
Duration: Placements are for 8 to 12 weeks between November 2026 and February 2027.
Reference:
To be considered you will need:
- To be enrolled in an undergraduate degree at an Australian university.
- Have completed at least 1 year of a (full‑time equivalent) undergraduate course prior to commencing your placement.
- A strong academic record (credit average or higher) and/or known capability in the field.
- An interest in pursuing a research career in science or technology, or a career in a related discipline.
- The ability to undertake a full‑time placement for 8‑12 weeks over the university summer vacation period.
Eligibility
CSIRO considers the filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal prospect/affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).
The position is therefore only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with Australian Citizenship. The successful applicant will be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
Appointment to this role may be subject to conditions including provision of a national police check as well as other security/medical/character clearance requirements.
Where to from here!
If you are interested in the National Collections and Marine Infrastructure Indigenous Undergraduate Vacation Studentship Program and meet the above candidate requirements, please apply online today!
If you prefer to have an informal chat before putting in your application, you can contact our Indigenous Employment and Capability Team at for more information.
Apply Online
To apply you will be required to:
- Submit a Resume/CV and Cover Letter (as one document) in the ‘Resume/CV’ field which includes: the reasons why the research project/s you have selected are of interest to you and how your skills/knowledge meet the project requirements; and an outline of your longer‑term career aspirations and how this program will help you achieve them.
- Upload your academic transcript (unofficial version is acceptable) in the ‘Cover Letter’ field.
- Select your two preferred research projects for NCMI Indigenous Studentships in order of preference; and enter your Grade Point Average (GPA) as per the University Admission Centre’s methodology. If you have a WAM, please read the Methodology on this site and calculate a GPA using the formula provided.
If you experience difficulties applying online please email: .