The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, invites applications for its prestigious CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships in Marine Science, Quantitative Fisheries, and Pelagic Ecosystems for 2026–2027. Based primarily at CSIRO’s world-renowned marine research facilities in Hobart (Tasmania), Brisbane (Queensland), and Perth (Western Australia), CERC Fellows drive world-class research addressing climate resilience, ocean sustainability, and harvest strategies across the Indo-Pacific, Southern Ocean, and Great Barrier Reef.
Program Overview: CERC Postdoctoral Fellowships in Ocean & Climate Sciences
CSIRO’s Environment and Oceans & Atmosphere business units manage vital national research infrastructure, including Australia’s dedicated marine research vessel RV Investigator, the national fish collection, and cutting-edge ocean observation arrays (Argo, IMOS). CERC Postdoctoral Fellowships provide early-career scientists with three years of fully salaried, self-directed research, tailored leadership training, and substantial research operational funding.
| Program Parameter | Fellowship Details |
|---|---|
| Host Organization | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia |
| Host Research Units | CSIRO Environment / Oceans & Atmosphere Business Units (Hobart, Brisbane, Perth) |
| Appointment Type | 3-Year Full-Time Salaried Postdoctoral Fellowship (CSIRO CERC Scheme) |
| Annual Salary & Package | AU$105,000 – AU$115,000 per annum + 15.4% superannuation + relocation assistance |
| Flagship Facilities | RV Investigator (National Research Facility), Atlantis Marine Ecosystem Model, Marine Laboratories Hobart |
| Application Timeline | Late 2026 / Early 2027 Rolling Project-Specific Intake |
Key Research Themes & Priority Areas
- Quantitative Marine Fisheries Stock Assessment: Developing next-generation state-space stock assessment models, harvest strategy evaluations (MSE), and risk assessment frameworks for commercial pelagic and demersal fisheries.
- Marine Ecosystem & Earth System Modeling: Implementing and expanding whole-of-ecosystem models (e.g., the CSIRO-developed Atlantis modeling framework) to project climate change impacts on ocean food webs, nutrient cycling, and fish community biomass.
- Pelagic Biodiversity & Deep-Sea Oceanography: Utilizing data collected during RV Investigator voyages across the Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean to analyze deep-sea benthic habitats, mesopelagic fish biomass, and pelagic biodiversity.
- Coral Reef & Coastal System Dynamics: Integrating coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical models (such as eReefs) with machine learning to predict marine heatwaves, crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, and coral reef resilience.
- Blue Carbon & Nature-Based Marine Solutions: Quantifying coastal wetland, seagrass, and oceanic carbon fluxes to inform national and international carbon accounting and coastal adaptation policies.
Eligibility Criteria
- Doctoral Degree: A Ph.D. (or submitted thesis awaiting conferral) in Quantitative Marine Ecology, Fisheries Science, Biological Oceanography, Applied Mathematics, Computational Biology, or Marine Biogeochemistry, completed within the past 3 years.
- Quantitative Skills: Advanced computational and programming capabilities in R, Python, C++, or Fortran for statistical modeling, spatial GIS analysis, or high-performance computing (HPC).
- Research Track Record: Demonstrable research productivity evidenced by high-impact first-author papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations at major international conferences.
- Global Openness: International researchers from all nations are welcome to apply; CSIRO sponsors appropriate Australian work visas for successful fellows.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically through the official CSIRO Careers portal. Applicants should upload an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), a cover letter addressing the essential criteria, and a summary statement of research achievements and vision.
Official CSIRO Careers Portal: CSIRO Official Careers & Jobs Portal (jobs.csiro.au)
CERC Fellowships Information: Search for “CERC Postdoctoral Fellowship” or filter by the “Oceans and Atmosphere” / “Environment” departments on the CSIRO jobs site.