Quantitative Wildlife Ecologist

The Australian Government is seeking a Quantitative Wildlife Ecologist in Hobart, TAS. This role involves leading data analysis from seabird research to support sustainable krill fisheries in East Antarctica. Responsibilities include contributing to multidisciplinary research initiatives and planning field research programs. The position is part of the Australian Antarctic Division, focusing on environmental protection and understanding Antarctica's role in climate change.
• EL 1 - $124,861 - $134,295
• Australian Antarctic
• Hobart, TAS
• Lead and support processing, analysis, and interpretation of data from long-term seabird research and monitoring projects to support sustainable krill fisheries in east Antarctica.
• Inform and contribute to the delivery of complex, multinational, multidisciplinary research initiatives.
• Contribute to the planning, prioritisation, preparation, collection, application of the field research program in Antarctica.

Who we are

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic goals.
These goals are to:
• Maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it.
• Protect the Antarctic environment.
• Understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system.
• Undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance.

The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

The AAD Science Branch leads, conducts and supports a world class program of scientific research and environmental management, consistent with national priorities through the Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan. The Branch provides research and advice to support Australia’s Antarctic policy objectives, including participation in the Antarctic Treaty system and other international committees, commissions and intergovernmental panels. It manages and administers the Australian Antarctic Science Program and provides scientific and research advice to support regulatory and management decisions. The responsibilities of the Science Branch are diverse as we lead the Australian Government’s scientific program in Antarctica. Our research addresses critical issues including climate change, ensuring sustainable and well managed Southern Ocean fisheries, the human footprint in Antarctica, and the conservation of Antarctic and Southern Ocean wildlife. Our program covers physical and life sciences in the atmosphere, terrestrial and marine domains. The Branch provides scientific advice, conducts impact assessments, and undertakes targeted outreach promoting the value of Australian Antarctic science.

The Southern Ocean Ecosystems Program (SOEP) is responsible for delivering science stemming from sustained monitoring and targeted research of key biological components of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. SOEP research ensures sustainable and well managed Southern Ocean fisheries to support protection, conservation and management of Antarctic wildlife with an understanding that krill are the foundation of the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Within this Program, the objective of the Seabird Conservation Team is to provide seabird research and monitoring to facilitate decisions to achieve ecosystem-based management approaches for fisheries, for understanding and minimising impacts from human activities across the Australian Antarctic program, and to understand the impacts of climate change on these important and iconic species. This work delivers on a range of interdisciplinary and policy-relevant projects, with research outputs informing international fora including the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), and monitoring of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs). The work directly supports the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan (2022 Update), and the Australian Antarctic Science Decadal Strategy 2025-2035, contributing to international commitments and strategic research collaborations with other national and international programs.

The Job
• Lead and support processing, analysis, and interpretation of data from long-term seabird research and monitoring projects to support sustainable krill fisheries in east Antarctica – topics could include characterising krill-dependent species foraging behaviour, habitat requirements and spatial extent of key foraging areas, linking foraging locations with krill and prey density distributions to understand predator-prey interactions.
• Inform and contribute to the delivery of complex, multinational, multidisciplinary research initiatives, with an immediate urgency to model and predict the spread of H5 avian influenza (HPAI) given the current global outbreak to identify pathways of infection and how this could influence Australia’s biosecurity measures.
• Contribute to the planning, prioritisation, preparation, collection, application of the field research program and archiving of data and other administrative requirements associated with delivering the Antarctic breeding seabird research program at the AAD.
• Verbal and written communication of key scientific outcomes to stakeholders throughout the AAD, in peer-reviewed scientific publications, as well as reports for state or Commonwealth agencies or international fora such as CCAMLR or at conferences.
• Provide expert advice relating to wildlife management and conservation or on submissions to international fora to key stakeholders in the AAD including the Antarctic and Environmental Regulation (AER) section, the Environmental Management Unit (EMU), the Australian delegation for the Committee on Environmental Protection of the Antarctic Treaty (ATCM-CEP), and the broader department.
• Expert advice, contribution of research for Australian submissions, or representational roles within national and international fora such as CCAMLR scientific Working Groups.
• Depending on the skills and interests of the successful candidate, the position will likely include opportunities to undertake remote fieldwork in small teams in Antarctica to deliver seabird research projects.
• Supporting branch, divisional and departmental priorities, and practicing an inclusive culture of safety, compliance and continuous improvement within Science Branch.

What you'll gain from the experience

The successful candidate will gain valuable knowledge and experience working on policy relevant science that contributes effective environmental management in Antarctica.

What we are looking for

We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
• Highly developed skills in the analysis and interpretation of ecological data particularly relating to seabird and seal ecology, conservation and management.
• Proficiency and experience with complex datasets, modelling, and data analysis in R or similar programming language. Demonstrated skills and experience with a range of analytical techniques, including: mapping, spatial analyses, statistical (e.g. LM, GLM, GAM) and ecological modelling.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with influence in oral and written form, including authoring or contributing to peer-reviewed scientific publications and capacity to apply these skills in the context of delivering government-relevant science to international for a.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of Antarctic and Southern Ocean seabird, seal and krill ecology and the complex interactions between components of the ecosystem may be an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability and experience to work in a small team and contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture.
• Demonstrated ability or capacity to foster productive external or international collaborations for effective scientific outcomes.
• Experience or capacity to interpret science tailored for delivery into domestic and international policy and applied management forums such as CCAMLR and ACAP.
• Demonstrated ability for effective management of people, resources and program outcomes; to exercise sound judgement in relation to significant issues (e.g. safety, animal ethics, unexpected change); of well-developed communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated willingness and flexibility to help out with a variety of tasks at short notice, including surge capacity across the program, and an ability to learn new methods and procedures.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to undertake routine, and at times, tedious data entry, quality assurance, processing and administration to deliver seabird research in Antarctica.
• Understanding of new and emerging technologies, platforms and methods that could deliver informative data streams to determine spatial and temporal distribution of seabirds and seals, their habitat use, and overall requirements may be an advantage.
• Working as part of a small, high-functioning team, the individual will be proactive, highly organised and flexible with a high level of attention to detail. If field work is undertaken, the successful candidate would operate as part of a small team in isolated conditions, requiring high levels of motivation, teamwork, and good judgement. The field work can be physically demanding, and the international meetings and responsive nature of the work can be mentally demanding.

Please note that the successful applicant may be required to travel to the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions therefore they may be required to meet specific medical, adaptability and personal qualities requirements appropriate to working in those environments.
In order to undertake travel to the Antarctic & sub-Antarctic regions they will need to:
• Demonstrate the range of personal qualities and interpersonal skills necessary to perform as a successful team member within isolated Antarctic and sub-Antarctic environments.
• Demonstrate an ability to effectively adapt and respond to the demands of living and working in an isolated and confined environment as determined by a psychological (adaptability) assessment.
• Be certified as fit for Antarctic service by the AAD’s Polar Medicine Unit.

Eligibility

Mandatory qualifications
• A PhD in a relevant discipline (marine ecology, marine science or related field) from an Australian University or qualification of equivalent standard from an Australian or overseas university and demonstrated relevant experience commensurate with and appropriate to the duties of the position.

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.