About AIMS

The Australian Institute of Marine Science is Australia’s tropical marine research agency.

We are a trusted advisor, a partner and employer of choice, and we value integrity, innovation, collaboration and respect. AIMS’ research of Australia’s tropical marine ecosystems guides their effective environmental management and contributes to our understanding of similar ecosystems around the world.

Our research seeks to deliver practical benefit to all Australians and supports the sustainable use of our tropical marine estate. Governments, reef managers, industry and the wider community look to our high-quality, long-term research for informed decisions about our iconic Great Barrier Reef, North-West Shelf, and Arafura and Timor Seas. AIMS expert teams at our locations in Townsville, Darwin and Perth have access to world-class infrastructure, unique datasets, cutting-edge laboratories, and a fleet of modern research vessels.

About this exciting opportunity

As an AIMS Senior Oceanographic Technician you will be responsible for applying technical expertise to operate, deploy, maintain, and adapt our Oceanographic Instrument Pool. You will support the scientific and technological research in laboratory and field environments by being involved with programming sampling regimes for instrumentation including design and creation of supporting hardware along with the design and implementation of oceanographic moorings for specific applications.

You will lead, plan and participate in fieldwork in many areas of Northern Australia to service, deploy and recover equipment along with maintenance and calibration of oceanographic science instruments to ensure all safety and legal standards are met and requirements for precision and accuracy are achieved whilst working at sea in often challenging conditions for extended periods.

About you

You will hold a Trade or University qualification, with demonstrated experience in operating and maintaining Oceanographic Instrument Systems and mooring systems coupled with demonstrated capabilities to carry out all logistics related to fieldwork activities.

Your workshop skills will support you to perform maintenance work in the field including calibration, testing and fault finding of electronics hardware with the proven ability to work on several tasks and adapt to changes in work readily.

Due to the field work nature of this role our ideal applicant will hold or have the ability to obtain the following qualifications –

• Commercial Diving qualifications to AS 2815.1 and documented experience
• Coxswains Certificate and seagoing experience especially back deck operations

Apply now and join a world leading organisation with attractive working conditions. In line with our Enterprise Agreement, the successful candidate will be rewarded with:

• AIMS AOF Level 4 salary ($93,934 to $106,895 per annum) plus 15.4% superannuation
• Full-time, Permanent opportunity
• Located in Townsville (Qld)
• 9-day fortnight, enjoy a long weekend each fortnight
• Flexible Work Arrangements considered including hybrid working (where suitable)
• Generous and supportive leave entitlements
• Access to Commuter car fleet arrangements to travel to site (in Townsville only)
• Salary Sacrifice opportunities
• Access to Fitness Passport program, offering discounted membership to selected gyms
• Employee Assistance Program
• Relocation assistance available Discover more about Working at AIMS | AIMS.

Please note:

Non-Australian Citizens must hold an appropriate Visa with working entitlements that allows paid employment with AIMS from commencement and for the full term of the appointment, depending on the relevant Department of Home Affairs current policies.

Next Step

Further information about this exciting and challenging opportunity is outlined in the Candidate Information Pack which is available to download from our website www.aims.gov.au. If, after reviewing the position description and selection criteria included in the Candidate Information Pack, you believe that your qualifications, experience and professional capabilities will enable you to successfully the deliver the position responsibilities, we encourage you to make an application via our website.

Submitting your Application: Please ensure that you have your completed documents (selection criteria responses, resume and cover letter) ready to attach to your online application form via our e-recruitment system which can be accessed via our website www.aims.gov.au.

Position enquiries are to be directed to John Luetchford, Oceanographic Technician Co-Ordinator at [email protected]. Applications must be made through our website per above.

Applications close: SUNDAY, 11 MAY 2025 (11.45PM, AEST).

AIMS acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia's first scientists. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and future, and the custodians of the land and sea Country on which we work.