Jobs
SeaSim National Facility Technical Director – Australian Institute Of Marine Science
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0770978
- Agency: Australian Institute Of Marine Science
- Job Title: SeaSim National Facility Technical Director
- Position Number: 21996
- Classification: APS Level 6
- Closing Date: Wednesday 12 August 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
- Location: Townsville QLD
- Future Merit Locations: Townsville
- Salary: Future Merit
- Office Arrangement: On Site (Onsite)
About Australian Institute Of Marine Science
AIMS is a world leader in tropical marine science and conducts research supporting environmental sustainability and economic
growth in Australia’s tropical oceans. Through our highly skilled and innovative staff, state-of-the-art infrastructure, strong national
and international collaborative relationships and valued technical support, we are helping to build Australia’s national marine
science capability so that together we can meet the challenges facing our marine estate. The Institute operates from facilities in
Townsville Queensland, Darwin Northern Territory and Perth Western Australia.
Duties
- We are seeking an exceptional leader to join us in this unique opportunity to lead nationally
- significant research infrastructure that supports world-class marine and environmental science. As
- Technical Director, you will provide strategic and operational leadership of the National Sea
- Simulator (SeaSim), ensuring its continued excellence as trusted partner of researchers,
- government, industry and international collaborators.
- The Technical Director is accountable for the end-to-end leadership of the SeaSim, optimising
- operations supporting science objectives while driving capability uplift aligned to AIMS and
- national science priorities. You will have a key role in bridging strategy and operations by
- translating organisational priorities into facility performance, future-focused capability development
- and outstanding stakeholder outcomes.
- As the principal technical authority for SeaSim, you will ensure experimental integrity, maintain
- facility standards, guide infrastructure investment, and foster a culture of science excellence,
- safety, collaboration and continuous improvement. Key objectives of the role include:
- Overseeing technical, operational, financial and workforce management functions of
- SeaSim.
- Championing a proactive workplace health and safety culture across SeaSim, and ensuring
- compliance with WHS requirements, risk management frameworks and regulatory
- obligations.
- Delivering safe, reliable and efficient facility operations aligned with AIMS’ strategic goals
- and national science priorities.
- Driving high facility utilisation and fulfilment of stakeholder commitments and National
- Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) obligations. Delivering outstanding
- user experiences and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Providing strategic leadership for capability development, infrastructure planning and future
- growth.
- Overseeing technical protocols, facility standards and quality assurance processes.
- Supporting emerging science through targeted capability upgrades and technology
- development initiatives.
- Optimising workforce capability, technical assets and resource allocation.
- Building strong relationships with internal and external researchers, partners and
- collaborators.
Eligibility / Notes
- You are a strategic, collaborative and technically credible leader who thrives in complex research
- environments. You will be passionate about enabling scientific excellence through exceptional
- facility management and possess the vision to share the future capability of a nationally important
- research infrastructure, and balance strategic thinking with operational execution. To be
- successful in this role you will bring:
- A bachelor’s degree in marine science and/or significant experience managing major
- research infrastructure and multi-user facilities, with a strong understanding of experimental
- design within National Facility environments and demonstrated capability in managing
- financial, human and technical resources; or an equivalent combination of relevant
- qualifications and professional experience.
- Demonstrated success in leading the delivery of high-level professional services within a
- scientific research environment, including building strong stakeholder relationships, aligning
- services with organisational objectives, fostering innovation and collaboration, and effectively
- identifying challenges, managing risks, assessing needs and delivering solutions that
- balance competing priorities while ensuring client satisfaction.
- Proven leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire high-performing teams
- and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, creativity and excellence. You will possess
- advanced problem-solving, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to work
- effectively on complex and sensitive matters involving diverse stakeholders and achieve
- mutually beneficial outcomes.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex projects and managing day-to-day operations
- within a research, scientific or technical environment, including strategic planning,
- prioritisation, resource allocation, risk management and performance monitoring to deliver
- outcomes safely, efficiently, on time and within budget.
How to Apply
Position Contact Dr Richard Brinkman, Chief Operating Officer, n/a
Agency Recruitment Site https://careers.aims.gov.au/page.php?pageID=160&windowUID=0&AdvertID=9191
Applicants to vacancies notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette should be aware:
that the names of successful applicants will also be notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette
applicants found suitable may be offered similar employment opportunities by other Australian Public Service agencies
Climate Change, Energy, the
Environment and Water
Vacancy