[ASA] Applications open for Swinburne Vacation Studentship Programme 2026

[Daniel Reardon]

Internal


Dear Colleagues,



Please circulate this email to potentially interested students:


Swinburne University's Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing (CAS) is accepting applications for Vacation Studentships from enthusiastic university students with excellent scholastic records who are in the last, or second last, year of their undergraduate or Honours/Masters degree.

With 29 research faculty, 19 postdoctoral researchers, and nearly 50 PhD students, CAS is large, vibrant, and friendly environment for studying most fields of astronomy<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/DRu-CK1DvKTBVp5YLIMfBoh5gSce?domain=astronomy.swin.edu.au>. Swinburne astronomers have guaranteed access to the twin Keck 10-m Telescopes in Hawaii<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/pGPXCL7EwMfm68ngLTqhDWhy6KHT?domain=keckobservatory.org> - the world's premier optical observatory - and CAS owns and operates some of Australia's most powerful supercomputers - Ngarrgu Tindebeek and OzSTAR<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/6psOCMwGxOtRNm4LjCJiZ9h8xhbN?domain=supercomputing.swin.edu.au>. We also develop advanced, immersive 3D data visualization facilities to promote and explain astronomy to the broader community. Swinburne now hosts an impressive Virtual Universe<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/9Tx_CNLJyQUE4ymQoTRs2OhygyV4?domain=swinburne.edu.au> (SVU), a 100+ square metre stereoscopic LED wall - a wraparound digital canvas that delivers high resolution 3D visuals. Summer vacation students will be treated to an SVU show that blends real scientific data with cinematic visuals - from the birth of stars to the collision of black holes.
Our Vacation Studentship programme aims to provide undergraduate students with some insight into how exciting research is and how it is conducted. Students will join a research project, or possibly help start a new one, in one of the many areas of astronomy in which CAS staff and post-docs<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/p3ulCOMKzVT0WQmg3TPtB2hGEZeA?domain=astronomy.swin.edu.au> are experts. The various projects on offer<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/3rjKCP7LAXfopVE2QTrulXhxzfIN?domain=astronomy.swin.edu.au> are listed below. Projects can involve all aspects of astronomical research, from proposing or carrying out new telescope observations, to analysing data, to conducting theoretical calculations or advanced simulations. Many previous students have eventually published peer-reviewed research articles on some of their Vacation Studentship research.
In 2026 this programme is expected to run in-person at Swinburne and will be available to students currently enrolled at universities in Australia and New Zealand. Swinburne's Hawthorn campus<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/MlKkCQnMBZf30ZjK7s9C9DhGDHjL?domain=swinburne.edu.au> is situated in a lively, urban setting just minutes by public transport from Melbourne's city centre.
Projects are expected to run over 8 weeks, between November and February, with the timing to be negotiated between the student and their nominated supervisor. Vacation students are paid a tax-free stipend of $750 per week. An additional $250 is available for students based in New Zealand to offset the increased cost of relocation.
Applications are now open and should be received before 31st August 2026; they should include the following:

  *   Responses to the application form<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/nEa5CROND2uR2ZqpNC0F6kh1cSDH?domain=forms.gle> questions, detailing why you are interested in undertaking a vacation studentship at Swinburne, your plans for further study, and your project preferences;
  *   A copy of your official academic record, including an explanation of the grading system used;
  *   Your Curriculum Vitae;
  *   Proof of enrolment at an Australian or New Zealand university;
  *   Any supporting documentation of previous research;
  *   Applicants must also ask a lecturer or supervisor at their current university to send a letter of recommendation by the due date. This should be sent by the lecturer/supervisor directly; applicants should not include reference letters in their own application.

To apply, complete the application form<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/nEa5CROND2uR2ZqpNC0F6kh1cSDH?domain=forms.gle> and arrange for reference letters to be emailed directly to Dr. Daniel Reardon (dreardon at swin.edu.au) before 31st August.

Please reach out to me if you have any further questions.
Kind regards,
Daniel


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Dr Daniel Reardon

OzGrav Senior Research Fellow

Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing

Swinburne University of Technology

dreardon at swin.edu.au



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