Faculty of Science

School of Biological Sciences

• An outstanding opportunity for a self-driven researcher to enhance their career, develop strong quantitative skills, coordinate and participate in research expeditions to remote coastal areas of Western Australia, and work with a collaborative team of national and international experts in marine animal movement ecology
• This position requires immediate start (short delays may be negotiable) and is open to receiving applications for full time on a 3 year appointment
• Salary range: Level A Step 8 $95,464 p.a. plus employer contributed superannuation of 17%

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked amongst the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research-intensive universities. With an enviable research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to ‘innovate and inspire’ there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top University. The UWA’s 2030 Mission is ‘To provide world-class education, research and community engagement for the advancement of the prosperity and welfare of our communities’ and puts our existing world-class research in oceans and the marine environment at the forefront of UWA’s Grand Challenges to be addressed and contribute to real world change.

About the team

The successful applicant will join a team employed via the School of Biological Sciences and closely affiliated with the UWA’s Oceans Institute. The SBS has strength and breadth in a range of relevant disciplines, including ethology, behavioural ecology, and marine biology. The Oceans Institute brings together the strength of UWA’s marine researchers into a multidisciplinary, integrated research. The goal of the Oceans Institute is to capitalise on UWA’s existing marine research strengths – in areas such as oceanography, ecology, engineering, resource management, and governance – and utilise them to deliver Ocean Solutions for Humanity’s Grand Challenges. The Oceans Institute works in close association with partners within the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC) and research to be undertaken by the postdoc holder will be supported by both UWA and IOMRC.

This position will be embedded with the work done by research fellows at the Ocean Institute, and across the IOMRC, and will involve the coordination and participation in research expeditions to remote and rural locations, as well as integration of current and innovative quantitative methods to assist our understanding of the marine environment. More specifically, the applicant will be embedded in the SequeiraLab and contribute to all lab’s activities.

About the opportunity

This position requires a researcher to be able to conduct scientific research independently and to coordinate and conduct fieldwork involving the tagging of marine animals (large sharks, turtles and dugongs). You will also work on the development of computer models using a programming language such as R, python or Matlab to reveal marine megafauna movements, and to understand their ecological roles and their potential vulnerability to existing environmental and anthropogenic threats, including fishing, shipping, and climate change.

The main focus of research will be in Shark Bay (Gutharraguda), Western Australia. This position will specifically focus on the understanding of marine megafauna movement and the development of models to assist determining their habitat preferences and assess potential impacts from known threats.

As a Research Associate, you will, under limited directions, work as part of a large collaborative team of national and international researchers and contribute to the scientific goals of SequeiraLab.

To be considered for this role, you will have the following:

• PhD in Marine Science or related discipline
• Demonstrated independent research skills, as evidenced by relevant publications and/or scientific reports;
• Demonstrated experience in the coordination and in conducting research expeditions involving deployment of satellite and acoustic tags on marine megafauna (large sharks, turtles, or dugongs), and ability to design field work methodologies and protocols;
• Demonstrated ability to use programming languages such as R or python and high level of proficiency in the analysis of large integrated databases and development of statistical models, such as GLM, GLMM, GAM, BRT;
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the application of theory, statistics, and sampling methodologies, preferably in the context of animal movement and behaviour (e.g., state-space or species distribution models);
• Demonstrated skills in research design, analysis and reporting

About you

You will possess knowledge and experience in fieldwork involving tracking of marine animals, and in the application of theory, statistics and sampling methodologies, preferably in the context of animal movement and behaviour.

A valid driver’s license will also be a requirement. Rescue Diver license or Coxswain Grad I certification will be highly regarded.

Closing date: Wednesday, 8 April 2020

This position is open to international applicants.

Application Details: Please apply online via the Apply Now button.

Full details of the position’s responsibilities and the selection criteria are outlined in the position description and applicants should clearly demonstrate they meet the selection criteria.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce. We celebrate inclusion and diversity and believe gender equity is fundamental to achieving our goal of being a top 50 university by 2050.

• We have child friendly areas on campus, including childcare facilities. Flexible work arrangements, part-time hours and job sharing will all be considered.
• UWA has been awarded Platinum Employer Status for being a Top Ten Employer for LGBTI Inclusion by the Australian Workplace Equity Index (AWEI -2019).