Cyber Security Analyst

About this role

PRIMARY DETAIL

• $114,992–$124,676 per annum (HEW Level 7), plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
• 2-year fixed-term contract
• Based at Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

Detect, investigate and outsmart cyber threats to help protect our systems, data and people.

At Macquarie University, our Information Technology team plays a vital role in protecting the systems, information and people that power world-class education, research and health services. As a Cyber Security Analyst, you will be at the frontline of our detect-and-respond capability, monitoring, analysing and responding to threats that target one of Australia's most dynamic university environments.

This is an opportunity to move beyond routine monitoring and genuinely shape how we protect our community. You'll investigate incidents end-to-end, uncover root causes, run penetration testing, and help build the playbooks, detection content and secure baselines that keep us resilient. You'll also help guide and mentor emerging talent, sharing your knowledge across the team.

Joining MQ IT means becoming part of a service-focused, partnership-driven team that embraces the University's mission to be bold, distinctive, progressive and transformational. If you thrive on solving complex problems and want your work to have real impact at scale, we'd like to hear from you.

Reporting to the Cyber Security Operations Manager, you will help protect the University's computer systems, network and data from cyber threats and attacks. Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing first and second level cyber security incident response activities end-to-end investigating root causes, providing effective resolutions in line with MQ processes, and escalating as needed.
• Supporting penetration testing using AI, penetration test report analysis and auditing using established tools and techniques. Working to enhance current state through a defined roadmap.
• Building and continuously improving detect-and-respond capability, including SIEM content strategy, EDR response playbooks, identity protection policies and mail hygiene posture, aligned to frameworks such as the Essential Eight.
• Delivering threat-informed improvements through engineering changes such as telemetry onboarding, correlation logic and attack path reductions, and helping design and monitor SOC service SLOs/OKRs.
• Coordinating the vulnerability and exposure reduction programme for critical services and producing risk narratives and executive dashboards.
• Acting as a technical escalation point and mentor for junior team members, running simulations and table-top exercises, and reviewing complex changes and detection content.
• Partnering with IT owners to embed secure configuration baselines and hardening patterns across endpoints, identity, email, cloud and on-premises platforms.
• Producing post-incident reports with causal analysis and control gap identification and helping develop and maintain SOPs and playbooks.

About Us

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, People and Operations provide executive leadership across a broad portfolio of professional and business services, including Information Technology. Macquarie University Information Technology (MQ IT) embraces the University's mission to be bold, distinctive, progressive and transformational. We are a trusted business partner with a genuine ethos of service, applying a collaborative partnership approach to transformation across the University's education, research and health portfolios. The IT Information Security team helps the University meet its compliance requirements and protect its people, information and systems from information security risks.

About You (Selection Criteria)

You are an experienced cyber security professional who enjoys investigating complex problems, translating technical findings into practical recommendations, and building effective working relationships across a diverse organisation. You bring solid hands-on experience across security operations and a genuine focus on continuous improvement.

• Relevant technical experience and/or equivalent education or training in Cyber Security, Information Technology or a related discipline.
• Practical experience supporting cyber security operations, threat detection, vulnerability management and security monitoring, with a sound understanding of foundational concepts, attack techniques and indicators of compromise.
• Experience analysing security alerts, events and telemetry, and supporting incident response activities including investigation, containment, remediation and recovery.
• Working knowledge of infrastructure, endpoint, identity, network, cloud and application security, and hands-on experience with tools such as SIEM, EDR/XDR, vulnerability management, email security and cloud security technologies.
• Experience with scripting or automation (e.g., Python, PowerShell or Bash) to improve operational efficiency and reporting.
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills with careful attention to detail, and the ability to translate technical outputs into actionable remediation and risk-reduction recommendations.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and to prioritise competing tasks and deliver outcomes within agreed timeframes.

How to Apply

To be considered, please apply online with your CV and a cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with the selection criteria (above).

Applications Close

Applications for this role will close on 14th August at 11 PM AEST.

Why Join Us?

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation over 60 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today.

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index. Explore the fantastic benefits available to you when you become part of the team at Macquarie University.

• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements
• 17% Superannuation
• Subsidised onsite parking options
• Extensive training and professional development programs
• Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents
• Onsite vacation care during school holidays
• Discounted health insurance
• Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support
• Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics

Pre-Employment Checks

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.

If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account.

Applications Close

14/08/2026 11:59 PM

A Place Where You Belong

At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.

About cyber security & digital forensics roles for ex-police

Cyber security, digital forensics and incident-response roles. DMIs, cybercrime investigators and digital forensics officers bring evidential discipline and investigative judgement that DFIR and security teams struggle to hire.