Postdoctoral Research Associate in Fish Seascape Ecology

• Full time, 3-year fixed term, l ocated on the Camperdown Campus at the Faculty of Science

• Join a cutting-edge ARC Linkage project advancing fish seascape ecology and connectivity modelling to inform sustainable coastal development and marine management.

• Base Salary Level A, $113,400 - $121,054 p.a + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The School of Life and Environmental Sciences is currently seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Fish Seascape Ecology to lead key components of an ARC Linkage project on fish connectivity in urbanised estuaries. This project aims to quantify the effects of large-scale infrastructure on fish connectivity and populations by advancing our understanding of critical ecological processes within these modified coastal seascapes.

The project expects to generate new knowledge around fish seascape ecology and management using an innovative approach which considers all life history stages within a metapopulation modelling context. The modelling will be informed by project collected data from sampling larval, juvenile and adult fish using a variety of methods (seining, BRUVs) and acoustic tracking to measure fish movement and connectivity. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of integrated modelling approaches to better predict the effects of habitat modifications. This should provide significant benefits by allowing assessment of development and management actions before they take place, supporting long-term planning.

This position will support the lead CIs in the overall organisation of the project and its team, and will play a major role in assessing fish movement within and among natural and artificial habitats and integrating these data with larval, juvenile and adult fish data (relative abundance and size data) to create a metapopulation approach to evaluating and managing multi-stressor impacts within these urbanised estuaries. The successful applicant will build on their expertise in marine seascape ecology, simulation modelling and large dataset analysis to develop novel approaches to understanding impacts on fish life history of urbanised seascapes and consider impact and restoration trajectories. The project will involve significant collaboration with NSW DPIRD Scientists and Managers (as part of the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy) and support a variety of research students (Honours, Masters and PhD) and this position will also play a role in the mentoring some of these. It is desirable that the position can also actively participate and support field data collection.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• lead data integration and modelling, including multi-stressor modeling within a metapopulation framework

• lead or contribute to acoustic tracking efforts, including data analysis

• coordinate and/or conduct fieldwork campaigns, including team organisation, gear maintenance and data collection

• ensure project compliance with safety procedures, ethics approvals, relevant permitting and university policies

• collaborate on data processing and management, ensuring proper archiving and metadata documentation

• support project reporting and communication, including report writing and presentations

• mentor research assistants and students involved in the project

• lead peer reviewed outputs relevant to acoustic tracking and project modelling objectives, and other objectives as appropriate.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for Postdoctoral Research Associate who has the following skills and qualifications:

Essential

• a PhD (or equivalent) in marine biology or related field

• a valid driver’s license

• a strong track record of publications in the international scientific literature (relative to opportunity), especially on topics relevant to the project objectives

• demonstrated experience with simulation modelling and coding, especially biophysical modelling

• advanced statistical ability, including coding (e.g., ‘R’) and solid understanding of underlying theory of contemporary modelling approaches

• demonstrated technical experience in marine biodiversity assessment and implementation of scientific monitoring programs

• demonstrated experience managing and integrating large datasets

• experience working in large teams and organising complex field programs

• a strong commitment to delivering outcomes within defined time periods.

Desired

• a boating qualification

• snorkelling experience

• experience organising and conducting marine fieldwork

• experience operating boats in marine environments and trailering them

• diving qualification which allows scientific diving, or capacity to obtain

• fish ID skills

• experience collecting, managing and analysing acoustic tracking data from fish

• experience in analysing video data from marine systems.

In your cover letter, please address your experience against the responsibilities and specifically against the required and desired criteria.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion , evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTIQ+ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion .

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

If you are a current employee of the University or a contingent worker with access to Workday, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Shubhi Dhaka, Recruitment Operations, Human Resources at [email protected]

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