Research Fellowship: Environmental Change and Connectivity
Job Level(s): Research Academic Level B
Location: Australian National University, Canberra
Closing Date: Expressions of Interest are currently being sought. A formal advertising process will follow. Applicants who respod formally to this expression of interest will not be required to reapply under the formal application process.
Position Statement
The ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies is seeking to appoint a senior research fellow to be based at The Autralian Natonal University. We wish to build on our strengths in the application of elemental chemistry to elucidate historical environment conditions experienced by corals and fishes in coral reef environments. The research will investigate elemental signatures in calcium carbonate that are unique to certain locations that could assist in determining patterns of connectivity among reefs. The position bridges two programs in the Centre of Excellence (Environmental Change and Connectivity). The Centre has internationally recognised strengths in paleoenvironments, ecology, connectivity, biogeography, physiology and evolutionary biology of coral reef organisms as well as social sciences. Excellent candidates with an outstanding record in research are sought. Key duties would include assisting in planning research, working in the field to collect organisms, doing experiments, analyzing calcium carbonate structures using ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS, analyzing data and preparing material for publication.
Duties and Accountabilities
The postdoctoral fellow would collaborate on projects with Professor Mike Kingsford (JCU) and Professor Malcolm McCulloch (ANU) as part of a joint research program initiative in the ARC Centre for Coral Reef Studies. The primary focus of the position is to carry out research on corals and fishes to allow historical environment conditions to be elucidated. It is also hoped that the research will reveal elemental signatures in calcium carbonate that are unique to certain locations and could be used to determine patterns of connectivity among reefs. A combination of descriptive and experimental approaches would be used. Key duties would include assisting in planning research, working in the field to collect organisms, doing experiments, analyzing calcium carbonate structures using ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS, analyzing data and preparing material for publication.
Key Selection Criteria
- PhD in biological or geological sciences
- The PhD project involved the use of LA-ICP-MS
- A demonstrated ability to publish research in refereed journals
- Can use ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS and has processed data from these instruments
- Demonstrated ability to work in the field on SCUBA and to collect fishes and/or corals
- A high level of computer skills that allow the input of data, processing of data from IC-PMS, statistical and graphical skills, as well as word processing skills.
- Demonstrated effective interpersonal and communication skills
Desirable Selection Criteria
- Successful at acquiring funding for grants
- Collaborated with biological and geological scientists
- Considerable field experience and organization skills to deal with the logistics of field work
- Has worked on coral reefs
Enquiries to
Professor Malcolm McCulloch
61 (0)2 612 59969
Malcolm.McCulloch@anu.edu.au
Professor Mike Kingsford
61 (0)7 4781 4345
Michael.Kingsford@jcu.edu.au
Employment Type
Appointments will be full-time for a fixed term (research only) of two years subject to a probationary period.
Salary Package
Academic Level B $66,764 - $78,772 salary package depending on qualifications and experience
Method of Application Procedure
Please forward a CV, statement of research interests, one page outline of possible research approach, pdfs of recent publications, addresses of three referees and a covering letter addressing the selection criteria to Malcolm McCulloch, e-mail Malcolm.McCulloch@anu.edu.au
