Marine Geophysicist

Geoscience Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Cultures: and to elders past and present.

About us

Geoscience Australia is Australia's pre-eminent public sector geoscience organisation. We are the nation's trusted advisor on the geology and geography of Australia. We apply science and technology to describe and understand the Earth for the benefit of Australia. We apply our diverse professional expertise, our deep and trusted knowledge, our national-scale Earth observation infrastructure and our strong partnerships, to the opportunities and challenges that face our nation.

Our culture

Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.

Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offer a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements. 

What we can offer you

When you work at Geoscience Australia you will have access to a range of benefits and the opportunity to experience a workplace culture that truly values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. To learn more about our competitive salary, free onsite parking, generous flexible working arrangements and the role you can play in growing our culture click here. 

Our team

The Marine and Coastal Geoscience (MCG) Section is within the Oceans, Reefs, Coasts, and the Antarctic Branch. The section comprises a team of multidisciplinary scientists that acquire, analyse, and interpret marine geoscience data and provide expert information and advice to support government priorities. The team lead the development of ocean-best practice approaches to characterise and monitor seabed and coastal environments at regional and national scales. 

Joining our team presents an exciting opportunity to contribute geoscience data, information, and advice to enable the sustainable management of our marine environment and drive growth of a sustainable ocean economy. 

The MCG team draws on decades of Geoscience Australia’s knowledge and data collection to develop new marine and coastal products and information to support the sustainable management of Australia’s rapidly growing ocean economy. These products, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines, map series, digital data layers and publications, support the needs of a broad range of stakeholders, including but not limited to, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, National Environmental Science Program, Offshore Renewable industry, and First Nations groups.

The MCG team lead the development of new and innovative approaches to characterise and classify coastal to marine environments, in collaboration with national and international partners, to provide streamlined and consistent mapping at regional and national scales. Your skills, knowledge and expertise will complement those of other members of the team, which include marine geomorphology and ecology, geophysical data acquisition and analysis, and GIS analysis and coding (Python) specialists. 

The role

The role provides an opportunity to develop and apply your knowledge and experience in marine geophysics to support priority MCG activities, including:

• Acquire, process and interpret marine geophysical data (multibeam bathymetry, sub-bottom profiler and seismic), including participation in marine surveys.
• Provide technical expertise to projects requiring seabed and sub-surface information, including national assessments of seabed stability for offshore infrastructure and characterisation of offshore sedimentary environment.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of best practice SOPs and guidelines for marine geophysical data to support consistent, national scale approaches to seabed and sub-surface mapping. 
• Provide advice to key government stakeholders responsible for ocean policy and regulation. 

To be successful in the role you will: 

• Contribute own expertise to achieve outcomes for the business unit.
• Work collaboratively and operate as an effective team member in the office and field.
• Build and sustain positive relationships with team members, stakeholders and clients.
• Confidently present messages in a clear, concise and articulate manner, using both written and oral communication.
• Take personal responsibility for meeting objectives and progressing work and see projects to completion
• Think laterally, identify, implement and promote improved work practices.
• Demonstrate public service professionalism, adopts a principled approach and adheres to the APS Values and Code of Conduct.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications 

• Knowledge, experience and/or qualifications in Earth science (or equivalent). A post-graduate degree in a relevant field is desirable. 
• Experience collecting, processing and/or interpreting marine geophysical data (e.g. multibeam bathymetry, sub-bottom and seismic datasets)
• Experience in the use of GIS.
• Participation in marine surveys is highly desirable.
• An ability to participate in marine surveys and spend periods of time at sea.
• A commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive culture in your team and workplace.

Are you unsure about applying?

Did you know that a Hewlett Packard internal report found that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60 per cent of the job requirements? Women and other people from diverse backgrounds tend to only apply when they check every box. If you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on what we are looking for, please still apply or get in touch with the contact officer to learn more about the role.

To Apply

Please visit the careers page of our website to submit your application via our e-Recruit system. Your application should include: 

• Your resume (no more than 3 pages) 
• A brief statement (no more than 700 words) outlining your transferable skills, experience and capabilities related to the role and the value you would bring to Geoscience Australia. 

If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Donna-marie Audas on (02) 6249 5*** or email ***********@ga.gov.au

To learn more about applying for roles within the Australian Public Services please review, ‘Applying for an APS job: cracking the code’.

Eligibility 

To be eligible to apply for this position you must meet the below eligibility criteria.

• Be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application. 
• The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of an appropriate level relevant to this role. 
• Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre- employment screening, which includes a police history check. 

Recruitability

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position. For more information, please visit the Australian Public Service Commission website. 

Hearing or speech impaired applicants are invited to use the National Relay Service by contacting 133 677 and requesting to be connected with our Recruitment team on 02 6249 9*** to obtain selection documentation.

Technical Assistance

If you require technical assistance, call Human Resources on (02) 6249 9*** or email **@ga.gov.au.

A merit list/pool may be created from this process. If you are successful for the merit pool, your details may be shared with other Australian Public Service agencies unless you choose not to have your details disclosed.