The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, is recruiting for its prestigious CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships in Marine, Fisheries, and Aquatic Sciences (2026–2027). Based at major oceanographic and marine research facilities across Hobart (Tasmania), Brisbane (Queensland), and Perth (Western Australia), these fellowships offer outstanding early-career scientists the opportunity to conduct innovative, high-impact research supporting sustainable fisheries management, mariculture development, and ocean conservation.
About CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research
CSIRO is globally recognized for pioneering research in quantitative fisheries science, ocean observation, and aquatic ecosystem modeling. Operating the national marine research vessel RV Investigator and maintaining collaborative facilities such as the Centre for Marine Socioecology in Hobart, CSIRO plays a central role in delivering science-based solutions for Australia’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Southern Ocean.
Key Research Themes & Scientific Disciplines
CERC Postdoctoral Fellows engage in collaborative research projects across core marine and aquatic divisions:
- Quantitative Fisheries Science & Stock Assessment: Mathematical population dynamics, bio-economic modeling, harvest strategy evaluation, and ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM).
- Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation: Advanced selective breeding, aquatic animal health diagnostics, sustainable aquafeed formulations, and biosecurity protocols for salmon, prawn, and oyster farming.
- Marine Ecosystem & Spatial Modeling: Developing and refining complex end-to-end ecosystem models (such as the CSIRO-developed Atlantis and MICE modeling platforms) to predict climate change impacts on pelagic food webs.
- Ocean Observing & Marine Biogeochemistry: Coastal and deep-sea biogeochemical sensing, ocean acidification tracking, environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance, and marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR).
- Pelagic Marine Ecology & Telemetry: Acoustic telemetry, satellite tagging, migratory predator energetics (tuna, billfish, sharks), and marine protected area (MPA) effectiveness.
Fellowship Remuneration & Benefits Package
- Competitive Annual Salary: A base postdoctoral salary of AUD $102,000 to $111,000 per annum, plus an exceptional 15.4% superannuation (retirement fund contribution).
- Research & Travel Support: Dedicated annual operating funds for laboratory analyses, high-performance computing, conference travel, and research field campaigns.
- Expedition Opportunities: Access to blue-water research voyages aboard Australia’s flagship marine vessel RV Investigator.
- Relocation & Visa Support: Comprehensive relocation assistance for domestic and international researchers, including visa sponsorship (Temporary Activity Visa Subclass 408 / Skills Subclass 482).
- Duration: 3-year full-time fixed-term research appointment.
- Professional Development: Structured CERC fellowship development program, leadership mentoring, and commercial translation training.
Candidate Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (or will have submitted their doctoral thesis prior to commencement) in Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, Biological Oceanography, Quantitative Ecology, Aquaculture, Biostatistics, or a closely related STEM discipline.
- Candidates must generally have no more than 3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience at the time of appointment.
- Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative programming (R, Python, MATLAB, or C++), statistical analysis, or field/laboratory marine techniques.
- Open to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and international applicants of all nationalities.
Application Process & Key Submission Steps
Applications must be submitted through the official CSIRO Careers portal:
- Visit the CSIRO Careers website and search for active CERC Postdoctoral Fellowships under the Environment, Agriculture & Food, or Oceans business units.
- Submit a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting publications, coding repositories, and marine research experience.
- Provide a targeted Cover Letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description.
- Provide contact details for three professional/academic referees.
Timeline & Important Dates
- Intake: Ongoing recruitment throughout Late 2026 and 2027 on a rolling basis.
- Appointment Start: Flexible starting dates in early to mid-2027.
Official Links & Application Portal
Explore current postdoctoral vacancies and learn more about research facilities via the official CSIRO portals below:
👉 CSIRO Official Careers Portal: https://jobs.csiro.au/
👉 CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Research: https://www.csiro.au/en/research/environmental-impacts/oceans