The Role

We are seeking highly motivated Innovation, Science and Technology (IS&T) leaders with a passion for delivering innovative and valued outcomes to Defence in accordance with the intent of the Defence Strategic Review. The Group Leaders report to Research Leaders and under broad guidance, are responsible for the provision of effective leadership of a group of scientists, engineers and technologists/technicians.

You will:

• Forecast future Defence problems, initiate research and generate new knowledge to produce enhanced capability.
• Initiate and implement changes of direction in research projects.
• Promote a culture of scientific excellence, select the best scientific method to achieve Defence outcomes and be accountable for the development, delivery and quality of the science and technology output.
• Understand Defence priorities and associated requirements, and help transpose these into a balanced and effective set of science and technology activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with academia, industry, international partners, Defence clients and other stakeholders.
• Provide supervision of senior staff and create a motivating and collaborative culture to ensure that all staff make effective contributions to the output of the group.

The following Group Leader positions are available:

Group Leader Communication Networks Research – Edinburgh SA – Positive Vetting

As a talented scientist, engineer or mathematician, you will guide a world-class team undertaking cutting edge cyber research, to solve critical Defence and National Security problems. You will lead and undertake challenging communication networks research, covering communication network technologies, knowledge representation and reasoning about communication networks and data science and other techniques for network analysis.

Group Leader Communications Electronic Attack – Edinburgh SA – Positive Vetting

You will lead a team of scientists, engineers and technicians to apply their understanding of communications, signal processing, radio frequency engineering, and machine learning in order to develop countermeasure techniques against communications systems. The team exploits developments in deep neural networks and deep reinforcement learning to create autonomous communication electronic attack capabilities for the ADF.

Group Leader Undersea Combat Systems – Rockingham WA – Positive Vetting / NV2

You will focus on delivering research into the submarine combat control system for the Submarine Enterprise Program. This includes combat system performance analysis and next generation combat system architectures. This is a key leadership role on the HMAS Stirling DST Group site, and will contribute to the overall leadership of the Major Science and Technology Capability.

Group Leader Tactical Systems Integration – Edinburgh SA - Positive Vetting

You will be responsible for effective leadership and management of the research direction, staff and enabling infrastructure to maximise S&T delivery and impact into priority programs. The ideal applicant will have experience, awareness and knowledge across modern adaptive combat and mission systems, integration technologies, and anticipate future requirements for next-generation information architectures.

Our Team

Communication Networks Research Science and Technology Capability (STC) which is part of the division’s Cyber Operations branch delivers concepts, techniques, technologies and tools for enhanced network situation awareness in support of Defence missions. The STC sits within Cyber Operations Branch which generates S&T innovation that enables Australian cyber warriors to project power, form intelligence, and defend Australian interests in and through cyberspace.

Communications Electronic Attack(CEA) STC researches, develops, verifies, and facilitates the transition of advanced wireless communications electronic attack techniques to Australian Defence and National Security operational capabilities. CEA STC maintains scientific leadership in relevant disciplines through long-term research, support to operations, capability development, and provision of expert advice. We exploit wireless communications standards and technologies to develop capabilities for communications electronic attack and employ machine-learning methods to achieve automation and cognitive CEA systems.

Undersea Combat Systems STC applies multi-disciplinary approaches to build knowledge and sovereign S&T capabilities for submarine Combat Control systems in an Australian operational context. The team assess, develop or advise on: architectures; algorithms; operator-machine interfaces; improving the tactical picture; cyber security and Size, Weight and Power (SWAP) to enhance the Combat Control System capability, aspiring for Undersea warfare capabilities (crewed and uncrewed) optimised for persistent, long-range sub-surface ISR and strike.

Tactical Systems Integration STC conducts S&T focused on achieving an integrated force, which can deliver joint effects. The team undertakes experimentation and prototyping on software/systems architecture options and impacts in tactical contexts (austere network + compute). The STC develops revolutionary software approaches for distributed, resilient, highly agile tactical information systems, coupled with open system process metrics and studies that are key to overcoming barriers to their introduction. S&T outcomes are shaping trusted autonomy, IAMD and integrated force priorities.

Our Ideal Candidate

You will:

• Innovatively apply scientific knowledge to solving difficult problems.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the aligned S&T ecosystem.
• Possess excellent communication skills to convey complex information and concepts to a broad spectrum of audiences including military and civilian defence personnel, and reporting of S&T findings and implications to stakeholders.
• Hold a reputation for excellence in a specific, relevant field of IS&T.

We acknowledge the importance of developing and retaining an inclusive culture that produces opportunities for all. We encourage people from varied backgrounds with the right skills sets and experience to apply for these positions. A diverse demographic brings unique and creative perspectives and solutions benefiting every aspect of what we do at Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).

Candidates who have skillsets that don’t align with the advertised capabilities are still encouraged to apply. In doing so, candidates should review DSTG’s website and highlight how their skillset combined with experience will benefit DSTG.

The division is anticipating a number of vacancies in the near future and may fill these using the Merit Pool generated by this recruitment action.

Application Closing Date: Friday 15 December 2023

For further information please review the job information pack, reference DSTG/11680/23 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=D138F661-DBB4-0EF6-D470-D235EE5C6F20