Parkes Observatory
Work Experience for Students

CSIRO ATNF Parkes Observatory provides a challenging work experience program for high school students in Years 10, 11 or 12. Students normally spend one week at the Parkes Observatory, from Monday morning (8:30 am) until Friday afternoon (4:30 pm).

Work experience at the Observatory may include a range of activities such as helping a technician, being in or on the telescope, talking to the visiting public in the Visitors Centre, providing office assistance for astronomers, reading in the library, working on computers, doing calculations and writing summaries of astronomical articles.

***Please note that all work experience placements for 2011 have been filled and we are no longer accepting applications.***

How to apply

The Parkes Observatory receives many requests from students around Australia. Students are selected on the merit of a written resume and telephone interview. If you would like to apply for work experience at the Parkes Observatory then you will need to:
  • send a well-written resume and details of the dates you would like to work (Monday to Friday).
  • Arrange for a telephone interview with Julia Hockings (see the contact details below).

To prepare for the interview we suggest you browse the ATNF web pages. Candidates who sound confident, demonstrate reasonable knowledge about astronomy and are well-spoken will have an advantage.

Successful candidates will be notified promptly after the telephone interview.

Address written applications to:
CSIRO ATNF Parkes Observatory
(Attn: Work Experience Coordinator)
PO Box 276
PARKES
NSW 2870

Julia Hockings contact information:
email: Julia.Hockings@csiro.au
fax: (02) 6861 1730
phone (daytimes only): (02) 6861 1700

Successful applicants

If you are offered a place for work experience then you will need to:
  • Complete and send the school insurance and work placement forms to Julia Hockings.
  • Also send a small photograph of yourself for identification purposes.
  • Confirm your travel details at least two weeks before arrival.
  • Notify the Observatory of any dietary requirements or disabilities before your arrival.

Travel information

The Parkes Observatory is on the Newell Highway, 26 km north of Parkes, and clearly sign posted. If you will be arriving by plane or bus, we can arrange to pick you up in the town of Parkes. If you are travelling independently, please plan to arrive at the Parkes Observatory Visitors Discovery Centre at 8.30am on Monday morning.

Accommodation

Accommodation and meals for work experience students are provided in the on-site visiting Observers Quarters, free-of-charge. The Observers Quarters is a short walk from the telescope.

The visitors rooms are similar to motel rooms. You need to bring only personal belongings and clothing. Clothing should be neat and casual with non-slip enclosed shoes.

The Observers Quarters has a lounge room with TV and video facilities. Please note that the radio telescope is used 24 hours a day and visiting astronomers may be sleeping at any time during the day. This means that there must be no loud music or conversations in the Observers Quarters.

ATNF Requirements

  • The Parkes Observatory is a research and technical environment and work experience students must behave responsibly and appropriately, and be mature enough to cope with mixing with strangers. Students are expected to remain on site at the Observatory throughout your work experience.
  • All work experience students are given a safety induction soon after arrival. It is very important to follow the safety requirements that are explained at the induction.