About This Opportunity

Join a visionary and collaborative multidisciplinary team of ecologists, modellers, programmers and conservation practitioners working to protect coral reefs from water pollution.

Based at UQ’s St Lucia campus, you will contribute to the development of a global, user-friendly, open-source and dynamic pollution mapping and risk assessment tool. Your research will help coral reef managers and restoration practitioners understand pollution risks, reduce pollution pressures and translate complex environmental data into practical conservation action.

Key responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Research: Apply advanced spatial analysis techniques to process, interpret and visualise large environmental datasets, and develop pollution-loading models that predict pollution loads reaching the ocean and its implications for coral reef health.
• Research translation and collaboration: Work closely with conservation organisations, project partners and research end users to develop an accessible decision-support tool and ensure research outputs respond to real-world coral reef management and restoration needs.
• Data management and communication: Manage large datasets, integrate outputs from spatial analysis and modelling into effective knowledge products, and communicate findings through publications, conferences, presentations and materials for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Supervision, researcher development, citizenship and service: Mentor graduate students and junior researchers, contribute to funding proposals, coordinate activities with project partners and actively support an inclusive, purposeful and collaborative research culture.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.

This is a full-time, fixed-term position for 13 months at Academic Level A.

About You

• A PhD in marine science, environmental science, geospatial science, engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience using GIS and spatial analysis software, such as ArcGIS, QGIS or ENVI, and programming tools such as R or Python.
• Demonstrated experience in environmental modelling, particularly in relation to water pollution and coral reef or coastal ecosystems.
• Strong capability in big data management, data analysis, data visualisation and programming.
• Demonstrated experience developing decision-support tools for watershed, coastal or environmental management.
• Strong familiarity with nutrient pollution, water quality, marine pollution, ecosystem health, environmental indicators, pollution-monitoring frameworks and relevant biophysical datasets.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake literature reviews, synthesise scientific and technical information, and communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• The ability to work inclusively and effectively within interdisciplinary teams and engage constructively with conservation partners, stakeholders and research end users. Experience in project management and stakeholder engagement will be highly regarded.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Amelia Wenger via [email protected]. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected], stating the job reference number below in the subject line.

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume and cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the ‘About You’ section.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualifications. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer-sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing [email protected] or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close Monday 28 September at 11.00pm AEST (R-68820).

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