IBS

Dear all,

The School of Biological Sciences at the University of Sydney is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate - Quantitative Spatial Marine Ecology.

All applications must be submitted via the University of Sydney careers website. Visit sydney.edu.au/positions<http://sydney.edu.au/positions> and search by the reference number 284/0212 for more information and to apply.



POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - QUANTITATIVE SPATIAL MARINE ECOLOGY

The University of Sydney is Australia's premier University with an outstanding global reputation for academic and research excellence. It employs over 7,500 permanent staff supporting over 49,000 students.

The University of Sydney, through the School of Biological Sciences<http://sydney.edu.au/science/biology/> and the Australian Centre for Field Robotics<http://www.acfr.usyd.edu.au/> (ACFR), has secured funding from the NSW Marine Parks Authority to support an outstanding Postdoctoral Research Associate in the area of quantitative and spatial ecology of marine benthic communities, with a specific focus on biodiversity within marine parks now and under climate change scenarios. The research will involve the analysis of imagery and video data collected by Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Baited Underwater Video (BUV) and towed video systems, habitat mapping, oceanography and biodiversity assessment to address broad ecological questions relevant to understanding spatial patterns and variability in coastal habitats.

You will work closely with a multi-disciplinary team including image analysis and machine learning researchers, engineers and programmers, as well as marine ecologists and biologists. Some of your main contacts will be Dr. Will Figueira<http://sydney.edu.au/science/biology/about_us/academic_staff/figueira_will/>, Assoc. Prof. Stefan Williams<http://db.acfr.usyd.edu.au/content.php/232.html?personid=3D115> and Prof. Maria Byrne<http://sydney.edu.au/science/biology/about_us/academic_staff/byrne_maria/>. This position will suit a dynamic and experienced researcher with excellent teamwork skills who wishes to undertake research in the area of marine ecology and habitat mapping. To succeed, you will have:

*       a PhD in marine ecology or related discipline with a strong quantitative research focus
*       a strong research background in spatial marine ecology/landscape ecology or related area with experience in remote sensing/GIS
*       a responsible nature and enthusiasm for seeing your work integrated into a multi-disciplinary project as part of on-going monitoring programs
*       a track record relative to opportunity of publishing in scientific peer-reviewed literature.

Desirable and highly regarded are:

*       familiarity with advanced statistical modelling programs/languages e.g. Matlab, SAS or "R"
*       experience with accessing, organising and managing large datasets including process automation (scripting) and database querying
*       knowledge of flora and fauna of near-shore benthic communities of temperate reef environments
*       experience conducting boat-based ecological research.

You will be primarily responsible for the integration and analysis of habitat and physical datasets as outlined above. This will be conducted in pursuit of specific research questions developed jointly by the research team. You will contribute your own ideas for a specific research focus within the broader area of this project. Once defined, you will lead the efforts to synthesize relevant data, conduct analyses and to disseminate research outcomes.

This is an outstanding opportunity to further develop your research career in a highly-specialised and sought-after field of marine science. You will find great satisfaction in making a name for yourself in this challenging hands-on role.

The position is full-time fixed term for two and a half years subject to the completion of a satisfactory probation period for new appointees. Membership of a University approved superannuation scheme is a condition of employment for new appointees.

Remuneration package: $92K p.a. including $78K p.a. base salary, leave loading and up to 17% superannuation. Some support towards relocation and visa sponsorship will be available for the successful appointee if required.

CLOSING DATE: 10 May 2012 (11:30PM Sydney time)