Classification: Academic Level A
Salary package: $76,271 - $95,732 per annum plus 17% superannuation
Term: Full-time, Fixed term, 24 months
Position Description: PD and PEWER - Academic Level A - Postdoctoral Fellow_updated.pdf

The Position

The Farine Lab seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to establish field and captive systems, developing new lines of research on topics spanning physiology, collective behaviour, and multilevel societies. These projects will aim to understand the (i) drivers and energetic consequences of individual movement, with a strong focus on movement across different life history stages; (ii) social and collective behaviour, with a particular focus on the costs of collective actions; and (iii) how life history strategies and movement intersect to shape how animals perceive their environments. The project will also contribute towards data-driven modelling, including combining data from multiple biologging streams with environmental layers and/or physiological models; and advancing conceptual and methodological tools for the study of animal societies in both the wild and in captivity. The person will be based at the Australian National University, and will conduct fieldwork in the local region and internationally.

The Person

The postdoctoral researcher will be expected to work collaboratively and collegiately within research team, including by managing field teams, supervising students at the undergraduate and honours levels, and by assisting with supervision of PhD students and research support staff. This will include having to balance the challenges of Farine lab presently being spread across four locations (Australia, Kenya, Switzerland, and Germany). The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to publish the findings of this work in refereed journals, as well as present at academic seminars and at national and international conferences.

To be successful in this position, we are looking for someone with experience on field and captive studies in birds, developing and implementing theory, and with an interest in mentoring early-career researchers. The postdoctoral researcher must have a driver’s license, a valid bird ringing/banding license that allows them to conduct work independently (or the capacity to acquire these within the first two months), and experience with deploying biologgers. Previous experience of conducting behavioural observations on habituated animals and with advanced tracking technologies are desirable. The successful applicant must be willing to undertake intensive fieldwork as part of a small team, and be able to demonstrate that they can work collaboratively as part of a research team.

The School

The Research School of Biology is home to ~50 continuing academic staff and a large number of postdoctoral and postgraduate researchers from around the world. Our research is supported by outstanding equipment, infrastructure and professional staff, and is funded by an extensive range of external grants. The School conducts research, research training (MPhil and PhD), Masters and undergraduate education in a wide range of biological and biomedical sciences. 

The College

The ANU College of Science encompasses the disciplines of: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environment and Society, Mathematics, Physics, and Science Communication and is also home to a number of cross-disciplinary and specialist Institutes and Centres.  Staff and students within the ANU College of Science conduct research and deliver a research-led education program that encompasses the breadth of the sciences, supported by extensive international networks and by world-class facilities. 

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For further information please contact Dr. Damien Farine, email: damien.farine@anu.edu.au

ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to people of all backgrounds and identities. For more information about staff equity at ANU, click here. For enquiries about the application process, or if you require reasonable adjustment to apply for this role, please contact the hiring manager on the above listed details.

Application information

In order to apply for this role please make sure that you upload the following documents:

• A statement addressing the selection criteria.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) which includes the names and contact details of at least three referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor). If your CV does not include referees you can complete these online when prompted in the application form.
• Other documents, if required.

Applications which do not address the selection criteria may not be considered for the position.

Please note: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process.  An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.

Closing Date: 1 November 2022