Research Scientist - Cryptogam taxonomy and systematics

The Australian Government is hiring a Research Scientist for Cryptogam taxonomy and systematics in Canberra, ACT. This role involves researching scientific collections to protect biodiversity, collaborating in a multi-disciplinary team, and engaging in conservation and science planning. The position offers a salary between $91,944 - $129,379 per annum and is based at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, emphasizing the importance of Australia's unique natural and cultural heritage.
• Research Scientist (APS6 - EL1) - $91,944 - $129,379 per annum plus superannuation
• Parks Australia Division
• Canberra, ACT
• Undertake research on scientific collections of national significance to help understand, preserve and protect our unique environment and biodiversity.
• Work collaboratively as part of a highly skilled, multi-disciplinary research team.
• Unique location in the grounds of the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Who we are
Australia’s natural and cultural heritage is unique. Our land and seascapes are distinctive, home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and to some of the oldest living cultures on earth. These environments and cultures are an essential part of our national identity, and visitors travel from across the country and the world to experience them. The Director of National Parks (the Director) is responsible for six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, 58 Australian Marine Parks and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Parks Australia is the federal park agency that supports the Director, and they are a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department). We work to showcase these natural and cultural wonders to the world, demonstrating to all why these places are so special, and inspiring communities to become more invested in their care and future.

The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels.

Our work includes:
• strategic science planning and prioritisation and shaping research partnerships for Parks Australia
• leading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia – in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weaving
• providing scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management Plans
• managing the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation’s largest living collection of native plants
• innovation in the cross-cutting application of new technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomes
• facilitating research and science capacity building and education
• curating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservation.

The Biodiversity Science and Knowledge section provides botanical information through the management of the botanical collections and associated data of the Australian National Herbarium (ANH) in partnership with CSIRO. The section also incorporates the Australian Biological Resources Study, the Bush Blitz species discovery program, national biodiversity informatics such as the National Species List, and the Australian Plant Image Index.

The Job
• Develop and lead innovative and independent taxonomic research on the Australian bryophyte flora, with a particular focus on mosses and/or liverwort taxa.
• Provide taxonomic expertise on bryophyte taxa for internal and external stakeholders, collaborators and the general public.
• Mobilise and utilise the cryptogamic collections of the ANH for traditional and molecular systematic research, aligned with the priorities of Parks Australia and the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research Support and facilitate the application of taxonomic and collections-based research to applied conservation research and management.
• Liaise closely with staff from the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research and Parks Australia to deliver strategic plans.
• Together with the curation assistant, curate and manage the ANH herbarium cryptogamic specimen collections, including application of taxonomic revisions, physical curation and maintenance of collections.
• Communicate research results in internal and external forums, generate scientific papers and communicate results to the general public.
• Apply for research funding and carry out research investigations, requiring originality, creativity and innovation Collaborate with taxonomists nationally and internationally and contribute to national and international initiatives.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team to achieve scientific objectives.
• Participate in collections-related fieldwork as required.

What we are looking for
• Demonstrated skills and ability to undertake taxonomic, systematic and other research on the cryptogamic flora, and to translate this research into practical outcomes for documentation, identification, conservation and biological collections management.
• Demonstrated experience with methods in molecular systematics, including laboratory experience and expertise in molecular phylogenetics.
• Ability to apply and/or facilitate the application of collections-based research to applied conservation management challenges.
• Demonstrated high level of written and oral communication, including talks at national and international conferences, grant proposals and the publication of peer-reviewed papers.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in botanical specimen management, documentation and the curation of herbarium collections.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team and to establish collaborative work arrangements with colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively and sensitively with Indigenous knowledge systems.

Eligibility
Mandatory qualifications
• Relevant tertiary qualifications (MSc or PhD) in botanical taxonomy and systematics, with an understanding of cryptogamic groups.
• Knowledge of the Australian cryptogamic flora, particularly bryophytes.
• Knowledge of modern methods in systematics Experience and understanding of collection-based research.
• Familiarity with and experience in the management and curation of biological collections, particularly herbaria.
• Understanding of the application of collections-based research to contemporary conservation management challenges.
• Ability to work effectively and sensitively with Indigenous knowledge systems.

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

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.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.

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