Australian Antarctic Program Partnership

• Full time, fixed term (3 years)
• Possibility of an extension
• Based in Hobart, Waterfront IMAS Building

The AAPP brings together government and non-government entities to deliver and lead a significant part of the national Antarctic science program. The partnership is led by the University of Tasmania (UTAS), and includes the Australian Antarctic Division, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Geoscience Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology, the Tasmanian State Government and Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System.

The Opportunity

The Research Associate – Zooplankton Ecologist position will contribute to the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP), a new research program funded through the Antarctic Science Collaboration Initiative of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. The Research Associate – Zooplankton Ecologist will be a member of Theme 3: The future of sea ice, krill and ecosystems – and will contribute to efforts to understand the environmental variables that delineate krill and other key Antarctic zooplankton habitat in the water column and sea ice.

Key Accountabilities for Level A and B:

• Undertake innovative research to define the likely responses of a range of Antarctic zooplankton (including krill, copepods, salps and pteropods) to observed and predicted changes in the Southern Ocean including sea-ice cover, temperature, irradiance, carbon dioxide and prey quality/quantity.
• Work collaboratively with other team members on research to combine shipboard ‘year 2100 scenarios’ and laboratory ‘mechanistic’ experiments to identify key drivers of water column zooplankton distribution, abundance and dynamics in East Antarctic sea and icescapes.
• Co-ordinate synthesis of changes in water column and sea ice zooplankton dynamics with a view to developing linkages with the Theme 3 position on Spatial/Systems Ecology.
• Participate in the designing of experiments into zooplankton dynamics within multidisciplinary field-programs and ensuring the development of key linkages with other phytoplankton and krill research within Theme 3.
• Publish high impact original research papers in a timely fashion and provide input, including seminars on research results, to partner agencies.

Key Accountabilities specific for Level C:

• Undertake high-quality research of national and increasingly of international standing, secure external competitive grant and other funding where possible, publish research findings and supervise higher degree by research students, in order to meet and regularly exceed the University’s research attributes for Level C.
• Lead and co-ordinate synthesis of changes in water column and sea-ice zooplankton dynamics and lead and participate in the designing of experiments into zooplankton dynamics within multidisciplinary field-programs and ensuring the development of key linkages with other phytoplankton and krill research within Theme 3.

Please refer to relevant Position Description for full list of accountabilities.

Your Application

To be successful in the role, for Level A and B your application will need to demonstrate:

• A PhD in a relevant area of science, with postdoctoral experience relevant to the position, for example an in-depth understanding of physiological and ecological processes (along with their biogeochemical implications) in the open Southern Ocean.
• Comprehensive lab skills such as animal pre-conditioning and maintenance, micro-manipulation, optode and electrode use for assays during experimental manipulations; along with strong quantitative and analytical skills for data interpretation. Experience in key assays, such as faecal pellet production, respiration, feeding rates and other metabolic metrics is desirable.
• Proven skillset for the design of shipboard year 2100 scenario experiments, and the ability to link these studies with lab-based mechanistic approaches. 
• Seagoing experience under Southern Ocean conditions, or equivalent, and ability to spend long periods at sea.
• Evidence of ability to carry out independent research leading to publications in scientific literature.

Additionally, for Level C your application will need to demonstrate:

• A PhD in a relevant area of science, with experience relevant to the position, for example an in-depth understanding of physiological and ecological processes (along with their biogeochemical implications) in the open Southern Ocean.
• A strong record in, and continuing commitment to, research that has achieved national and preferably international recognition and made notable contributions to the field of ecosystems, demonstrated by a record of high-quality publications, presentations at conferences and success in securing external competitive and other funding.

Please refer to relevant Position Description for further clarification.

Remuneration

Appointment to this role will be at Academic Level A, B or C and will have a total remuneration package of up to $158,046 comprising base salary within the range of $71,443 to $135,082 plus 17% superannuation.

How to Apply

• To apply online, please provide your resume, cover letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role, and your responses to the position/selection criteria.
• For further information about this position, please contact Dr Kerrie Swadling, Zooplankton & Sea Ice Ecologist K.Swadling@utas.edu.au or (03) 6226 6903.
• Please visit http://www.utas.edu.au/jobs/applying2 for our guide to applying and details on the recruitment process.
• Successful applicants will be required to meet the security and safety standards of partner organisations when working at partner organisation sites or on field trips with partner organisations.
• Appointment at level A, B or C will depend on the degree of experience demonstrated in each selection criteria within the relevant position description.

Applications close: Thursday, 10 October 2019, 11:55 pm