APS 2-3/4 (ST Level 1-2) - 2026 DSTG Summer Vacation Placement Program

Full job description
(Non-Ongoing)
$61,363 - $86,438 (plus Super)
Edinburgh – SA, Fishermans Bend – VIC, Fairbairn - ACT, Eveleigh - NSW


The Role
The Summer Vacation Placement (SVP) is a 12-week paid program for undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students, allowing them to find their STEM pathway with a Defence placement at Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). SVP students apply their university knowledge to a practical project around current Defence research.

It provides successful applicants the opportunity to gain work experience in a diverse research organisation and experience the dynamic and stimulating workplace. Successful applicants will undertake a research project at a DSTG laboratory under the supervision of experienced staff. Research projects cover the full breadth of the STEM research carried out at DSTG.

The program commences on Monday, 1 December 2025 to coincide with the university summer break and will finish on Friday, 20 February 2026.

About our Team
Summer Vacation Placement students are hosted within small teams across the broad research areas of Defence Science and Technology Group, and are based in research facilities across Australia. SVP students will be supervised and mentored by science and technology professionals throughout their placement.

We are a workplace that is respectful and adaptive, where all people feel valued and supported to thrive. DSTG is committed to being an organisation that values diversity, equity and active inclusion. DSTG is proud to be recognised with the Bronze Science in Australia Gender Equity, Athena Swan Award. DSTG is also a member of the STEM Male Champions of Change group and a STEM Decadal Plan Champion. DSTG’s ally network serves to provide awareness of and support for all individuals regardless of background, culture, gender, sexuality, ability and neurodiversity.

Our Ideal Candidate
Are you excited about the future?

Do you have passion for STEM based research?
Do you want to work on exciting problems with real applications?
If you answered yes to these questions, you could have what it takes to excel in a DSTG Summer Vacation Placement project.

Successful applicants will enjoy working in a diverse team environment and using their initiative to solve problems. They will be able to utilise this opportunity to transform studied theoretical knowledge into a solid foundation of skills on which they can use to build their career.

Find your STEM pathway with a Defence placement.

More information on the DSTG Summer Vacation Placement program can be found here: https://www.dst.defence.gov.au/careers/student-opportunities/summer-vacation-placement-program.
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