CSIRO, Space and Astronomy Student Program

This page describes the benefits and requirements for being part of the CSIRO, Space & Astronomy student program for honours, masters or PhD students. Students interested in being part of the Space & Astronomy undergraduate vacation scholarship program should click here.

The tables below list the requirements and benefits for students, their Space & Astronomy co-supervisor and the university co-supervisor for the different types of project (i.e., PhD in Australia, PhD overseas, Masters at Australian institute or Honours at Australian institute).

Note that these requirements and benefits may change.

Working at CSIRO

All Space & Astronomy students are considered 'visiting CSIRO students' and must read and agree to CSIRO’s code of conduct.  When the student first visits CSIRO it is required that they complete an online code of conduct training course and any other necessary courses such as health and safety training. The student will be supported by both the CSIRO supervisor who will support the research as well as a line manager, who is responsible for ensuring that the student and CSIRO supervisor have both completed all the necessary training and provides another person for the student to speak to on any matter that may arise.

CSIRO is committed to provide a healthy and safe work environment through eliminating and preventing all forms of workplace discrimination and bullying.

CSIRO:

  • will not tolerate workplace bullying;
  • will not tolerate discrimination – direct or indirect; 
  • is committed to the prevention of bullying and discrimination in the workplace;
  • is committed to providing support to staff impacted by bullying and discrimination;
  • requires staff to report any incidents of workplace bullying; and
  • will provide staff with education about appropriate behaviour in the workplace.

All students and supervisors should be familiar with the following:

CSIRO has Equity and Diversity Contact Officers available to assist any individual who believes that they have witnessed an incident of, or been subjected to, inappropriate behaviours, including harassment or discrimination. The following people relating to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy may be contacted:

Vicki and Malte are there to listen to staff concerns, and advise on the appropriate actions and procedures that should be followed, as well as advise the Leadership Team of issues with existing procedures and practices.  

Benefits and Requirements of the Program

PhD at Australian institute

Student requirements Student benefits S & A supervisor requirements University supervisor requirements
At least 10 working days spent at CSIRO, Space & Astronomy per year (subject to any ongoing COVID restrictions) Up to $5000 travel grant for overseas or domestic research or conference travel. Agreement with line manager Short email to student coordinator each year describing the student's progress
Must provide electronic copy and hard copy of thesis to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy Office space at the Sydney or Perth offices of CSIRO, Space & Astronomy At least three years contract remaining or at discretion of the student coordinator Invite CSIRO, Space & Astronomy co-supervisor to any university student reviews
Two weeks National Facility support per year Up to 2 months free accommodation near the Perth office, the ATCA and Parkes sites or in the on-site lodge at the Sydney office with the possibility of staying at the Robert Menzies college in Sydney if the lodge is full. Provide a short email to student coordinator each year describing the student's progress Provide a copy of any part relevant to the CSIRO, Space & Astronomy co-supervision of the student review to the student coordinator.
Give a colloquium at either Sydney or Perth CSIRO, Space & Astronomy office (if possible, or online otherwise) after completing thesis Up to $500 towards page charges   Must agree that the university will remain legally responsible for the student's welfare and progress
If project requires observations with ATNF telescopes then must carry out at least one set of observations per year at the observatory or Science Operations Centre (it may be possible for the remainder to be carried out remotely) Access to CASS student webpages/email lists etc.   CSIRO, Space & Astronomy co-supervisor should be formally accredited recognition by the University for the purpose of this program
Submit a progress report to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy student coordinator twice a year Access to CSIRO computing resources    
Present in at least one student symposium Possibility for applying for top-up scholarships    
Complete all mandatory CSIRO online training courses on time and comply with CSIRO Code of Conduct      
Must include CSIRO, Space & Astronomy affiliation on papers that include CSIRO, Space & Astronomy co-supervisor (details at: https://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/publications/policy.html)      

PhD overseas

Student requirements Student benefits S & A supervisor requirements University supervisor requirements
Visit CSIRO, Space & Astronomy in Sydney or Perth at least twice during PhD once any COVID travel restrictions have been lifted Up to 2 months per year free accommodation in the Marsfield lodge or close to the Perth office Agreement from line manager Short email to student coordinator each year describing the student's progress
Give at least one colloqium or take part in a student symposium Possibility of travel support on request At least 3 years contract remaining or at the discretion of the student coordinator Ability to fund at least two trips for the student to visit CSIRO, Space & Astronomy in Sydney or Perth (or prior agreement on funding)
Submit a progress report to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy student coordinator every six months Office space at CSIRO, Space & Astronomy when required Strong existing collaboration with the overseas university or information must be provided on how this student will lead to stronger links Must agree that the university will remain legally responsible for the student's welfare and progress
Provide electronic copy of thesis on completion Access to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy computing resources (Recent cyber security changes now restrict overseas access to internal CSIRO network) Provide a short email to student coordinator each year describing the student's progress CSIRO, Space & Astronomy co-supervisor should be formally accredited recognition by the University for this purpose
Must include CSIRO, Space & Astronomy affiliation on papers that include CASS co-supervisor Access to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy student webpages/email lists etc.    
Comply with CSIRO Code of Conduct      

Masters at Australian Institute

Student requirements Student benefits S & A supervisor requirements University supervisor requirements
Project must be based on research carried out by CSIRO, Space & Astronomy staff or make major use of ATNF instrumentation Free accommodation for observing at the CSIRO, Space & Astronomy Science Operations Centre in Sydney or Perth Agreement from line manager Short email to student coordinator during the project describing the student's project
Ability to interact sufficiently with CSIRO, Space & Astronomy co-supervisor throughout the project Possibility for travel support on request Contract at CSIRO, Space & Astronomy that spans the expected duration of the Masters project Must agree that the university will remain legally responsible for the students welfare and progress
Submit a progress report to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy student coordinator every six months Office space at CSIRO, Space & Astronomy as necessary Provide a short email during the project to the student coordinator describing the student's progress CSIRO, Space & Astronomy co-supervisor should be formally accredited recognition by the University for the purpose of this program
Must include CSIRO, Space & Astronomy affiliation on papers that include the CSIRO, Space & Astronomy co-supervisor (details at https://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/publications/policy.html) Access to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy student webpages/email lists etc.    
Complete all mandatory CSIRO online training courses on time and comply with CSIRO Code of Conduct Access to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy computing resources    

Honours at Australian Institute

Student requirements Student benefits S & A supervisor requirements University supervisor requirements
Project must be based on research carried out by CSIRO, Space & Astronomy staff or make major use of ATNF instruments Free accommodation for observing in the CSIRO, Space & Astronomy Science Operations Centre in Sydney or Perth Agreement from line manager Short email during project to student coordinator describing progress
Ability to interact sufficiently with CSIRO, Space & Astronomy co-supervisor Possbility for travel support on request Contract at CSIRO, Space & Astronomy that spans the expected duration of the honours project Must agree that the university will remain legally responsible for the students welfare and progress
Submit a prgress report to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy student supervisor every saix months Access to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy student webpages/email lists etc. Provide a short email to student coordinator describing progress CSIRO, Space & Astronomy co-supervisor should be formally accredited recognition by the University for the purpose of this program
Must include CSIRO, Space & Astronomy affiliation on papers that include CSIRO, Space & Astronomy co-supervisor (details at https://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/publications/policy.html) Access to CSIRO, Space & Astronomy computing resources    
Complete all mandatory CSIRO online training courses on time and comply with CSIRO Code of Conduct      

Page last updated: RH 10 August 2021

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