Jobs where you can get lost in one thing for hours
Look for work where the unit of output is large and nobody needs an answer from you before lunch. Analysis, drafting, repair, dispatch planning and stocktake all let a long stretch of attention pay off instead of being broken up. These are live Australian listings where the work rewards staying with one thing.
What we are actually measuring
This is sustained attention preference. It runs between two ends, and neither one is the better place to be. It is simply a fact about how you work, and it decides whether a job you can do is a job you can keep.
- One end
- You do your best work in short bursts and need to move between things
- The other
- You are happiest deep in one thing for hours
This page is about the highlighted end.
How many jobs are like this right now?
Of 4,964 Australian jobs we have read in detail, 874 sit at this end. That is not a guess from the job title. Each advert was read for what the work would actually involve.
Where they cluster
- Legal · 126
- Engineering · 111
- Scientific & QA · 92
- Accounting & Finance · 89
- IT · 80
- Creative & Design · 61
Roles advertised in Australia right now
Live listings, with what each one would take stated plainly rather than buried.
- entry
PhD Scholarship: Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Griffith University · Nathan, Brisbane
- · Conducting original research on conflict-related sexual violence in the Indo-Pacific
- · Reviewing and synthesising academic literature on transitional justice and reparations
- · Designing and carrying out fieldwork or interviews with survivors and stakeholders
What it would take: You would need an Honours or Masters degree in a relevant discipline and a research proposal or demonstrated interest in conflict-related sexual violence, transitional justice, or related areas.
- entry
Research Associate - Plaskett Fellowship
National Research Council Canada · Victoria, Australia
- · Conducting independent astronomical research
- · Analysing telescope data and writing up findings
- · Publishing research in peer-reviewed journals
What it would take: You would need a completed PhD in astronomy or astrophysics; this is a postdoctoral fellowship so a research track record is expected.
- mid
Research Fellow - Soil Microbial Ecology
Griffith University · Robertson, Brisbane
- · Designing and conducting field and laboratory experiments on soil microbial communities
- · Analysing microbial ecology data using bioinformatics tools
- · Writing and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals
What it would take: You would need a completed PhD in a relevant discipline and a track record of publishing research in soil microbial ecology.
- senior
Philosophy PhD - Assessment Specialist
Mercor · Sydney, Sydney Region
- · Write original philosophy questions testing deep conceptual understanding
- · Evaluate AI-generated responses against philosophical benchmarks
- · Identify flaws or gaps in AI reasoning on philosophical topics
What it would take: You would need a completed or near-completed PhD in Philosophy to be considered for this role.
- entry
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Polymer Chemistry and Hydrogel Materials
University of Sydney · Australia
- · Design and synthesise polymer and hydrogel materials in the lab
- · Run characterisation experiments on polymeric samples
- · Analyse experimental data and draw conclusions
What it would take: You would need a completed PhD in polymer chemistry or a related discipline to be considered.
- entry
Postdoctoral Associate - Bannister Lab
Bannister Lab · Palm Beach, Pittwater Area
- · Design and synthesise novel molecules at the bench
- · Review scientific literature to refine experimental protocols
- · Run NMR, HPLC and LCMS to characterise compounds
What it would take: You must hold a completed doctorate in chemistry or a closely related field; this is a bench research role requiring hands-on synthesis experience.
- mid
Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Fellow in Statistical Genomics
The University of Queensland · St Lucia, Brisbane
- · Running statistical analyses on large genomic datasets
- · Developing and applying statistical methods to genetic data
- · Writing and publishing research papers
What it would take: You would need a completed or nearly completed PhD in a relevant quantitative field and demonstrated experience with statistical genomics methods.
- entry
Electrical Draftsperson/Designer
R N Baker Switchboards Pty · Cardiff South, Lake Macquarie Area
- · Draft electrical switchboard drawings in CAD
- · Produce accurate wiring and layout diagrams
- · Check designs against standards and specifications
What it would take: You would need strong CAD drafting skills and an eye for detail on electrical drawings.
- lead
Lead Road Designer
Arcadis · East Brisbane, Brisbane
- · Lead design of road alignments and geometry
- · Produce design drawings and models
- · Review designs and calculations for compliance
What it would take: You would need senior road design experience and the ability to lead a design team.
- mid
Freelance- Translators/Linguists, Chinese (Simplified) into English
IQVIA · Australia
- · Translating life sciences documents from Chinese (Simplified) into English
- · Reviewing translated text for accuracy and natural-sounding language
- · Managing multiple translation projects against client deadlines
What it would take: You would need demonstrated translation experience from Chinese (Simplified) into English specifically in life sciences content such as clinical trials or regulatory submissions.
- mid
Research Fellow - Trustworthy AI & Cybersecurity
Monash University · Clayton, Monash Area
- · Design and test secure AI systems
- · Run experiments and analyse results
- · Write research papers and grant submissions
What it would take: You would need a PhD in a relevant field and a record of research in AI or cybersecurity.
- senior
Senior Research Fellow or Principal Research Fellow
Murdoch University · Australia
- · Design and run crop and food research experiments
- · Analyse data and write papers for publication
- · Apply for research grants and funding
What it would take: You would need a doctoral qualification and a publication record in crop or food science.
Is this actually you?
This is one of eight things that decide whether work suits you, and most people have never been asked about any of them. Talk to the coach for about five minutes and you will get all eight, with the evidence behind each one, and jobs matched on the lot.