Work with us
Although we aren't currently advertising, we are always looking for people who would like to work with us!
The Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC) offers a friendly, flexible and inclusive working environment that brings out the best in all team members. There are a number of ways you can work with the SEC, including volunteering and paid positions.
Check out the position descriptions below and if you are interested in any of these please contact Chris Hendry by email or phone (02) 4921 7993.
There are many ways to volunteer with the SEC program, from assisting the team in Newcastle with the development of activities, office or maintenance work, to helping out at events by running activities or being a member of a local organising committee.
For more information on volunteering at an event, read this one-page PDF and check out our Events page to find an event near you!
Challenge Ambassadors work within a larger team from the SEC in selected Northern NSW regions. They assist in the coordination of activities, set-up and running of events. This is a valuable opportunity for university students as they are able to talk directly with school students about their university experience as well as their particular fields of interest. School students find this particularly useful as they are able to ask and receive information from people who have first hand experience with the school to university transition.
In 2018, the SEC employed an Indigenous STEM Ambassador as a result of a crowdfunding campaign. Hear about his time with the SEC Team below:
Event Assistants provide practical support for a range of SEC events including Challenge Days (for years 9/10 students), Discovery Days (for years 5/6 students), 'Build a Future' Days (for years 7/8 students) and community events. This can involve the following:
- Preparation and maintenance of event kits
- Event set-up
- Drive/fly to areas across Australia (including overnight stays)
- Presenting short, scripted science shows
- Briefing volunteer activity coordinators
- Collecting and entering event scores
- Assisting the Team Leader to monitor activities, students, teachers and volunteers at events
SMART presenters work with the SMART program to present scripted, entertaining and educational STEM* science shows and workshops for pre-schools, primary schools, high schools, libraries, expos and community events. They also:
- Assist with the delivery of STEM professional development workshops for teachers;
- Assist with the preparation and maintenance of kits;
- Travel to areas within the Hunter region and other areas of NSW.
*STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
The SEC Teacher Internship program is an annual program that began in 2018 and aims to target qualified STEM teachers who are interesting in working at the SEC team for 20 weeks. The incumbent is trained as a Team Leader, and presents SEC events across Australia. They also use their educational skills and expertise to complete a special project. The 2018 SEC Teacher Intern was Luke Roberts from Tasmania. Here about his time with our team below:
Staff forms for download
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.