Indigenous Time at Sea Scholarship

Indigenous Time at Sea Scholarship

Seas the opportunity to gain valuable, real-world experience on board Australia's dedicated ocean research vessel, RV Investigator!

CSIRO and the Marine National Facility (MNF) are striving to increase access to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. In an unique initiative, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students have the opportunity to participate in research voyages on RV Investigator through the Indigenous Time at Sea Scholarship (ITSS).

ITSS offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students an invaluable opportunity to gain at-sea experience on this advanced ocean research vessel, supporting Australia's atmospheric, oceanographic, biological and geoscience research from the tropics to the Antarctic ice-edge. 

Students will work alongside a world class research team and gain experience on this advanced ocean research vessel to facilitate skill development and networking, while gaining exposure to methods and techniques applicable to careers in marine science and the maritime industry.

Current opportunities

CSIRO has opportunities for university students to undertake a placement under the ITSS program during two research voyages on RV Investigator in 2025:

Voyage 1 details

IN2025_V04 – Untangling the causes of change over 25 years in the southeast marine ecosystem.

• Date: 27 May to 28 June 2025
• From/To: Nipaluna/Hobart to Nipaluna/Hobart

Voyage 2 details

IN2025_V06 – The Coral Sea frontier: Deep-sea biodiversity assessment of the Coral Sea Marine Park.

• Date: 11 October to 14 November 2025
• From/To: Meeanjin/Brisbane to Meeanjin/Brisbane

Please note that exact voyage dates may be subject to change.

Further information is available from the Jobs at CSIRO website: Indigenous Time at Sea Studentships.

Applications close on Wednesday 29 January 2025 at 11.00pm AEST.

Previous voyages in the ITSS Program

• ITSS voyage 1 - Dec 2019: IN2019_T03 with Hannah McCleary, Tiahni Adamson and Sophie Gilbey
• ITSS voyage 2 - Jun 2021: IN2021_T01 with Hannah McCleary and Breeanna Muggleton
• ITSS voyage 3 - Jul 2022: IN2022_V06 with Kiesha Wear and Taleatha Pell

What do ITSS students do?

Working as part of a world class research team, ITSS students will gain unique experience on Australia's dedicated ocean research vessel to facilitate skill development and networking, while gaining exposure to methods and techniques applicable to careers in marine science and the maritime industry.

Students will receive a stipend during their placement and most costs associated with participating in the voyage, including travel, accommodation, medical assessment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), will be covered by CSIRO.

All ITSS students will receive support while onboard and be assigned a “buddy” while at sea. ITSS students will also be supported by a shore-based program coordinator.

How do I apply?

The ITSS program is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) at an Australian University at the time of the voyage.

To be considered, you will need:

• To have completed at least 2 years of a (full-time equivalent) undergraduate course prior to commencing your placement.
• An average academic record of a credit or higher.
• An interest in pursuing a research career in science or technology, or a career in a related discipline.
• Be able to pass a seagoing medical, attend pre-voyage meetings and complete additional pre-departure materials.

Voyages will involve working with a team in a confined and isolated environment, processing trawl samples, which include fish, invertebrates and other taxa in line with permit and animal ethics guidelines. Full training in techniques and methodologies will be provided and the successful candidates should ensure that they are comfortable working in such circumstances.  

Opportunities in the ITSS program will be advertised here and on jobs.csiro.au

Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and Country

The MNF acknowledges Australia's Traditional Owners and pays respect to the past and present Elders of the nation's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We honour and celebrate the spiritual, cultural and customary connections of Traditional Owners to country and its surrounding seas and oceans.