Description:
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School of the Environment
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2 Full-time, fixed-term positions up to 31 December 2026
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Base salary will be in the range of $80,448.78 - $107,104.10 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A)
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Based at our St Lucia campus location
About This Opportunity
An exciting opportunity exists for two Postdoctoral Research Fellows to advance their expertise in wetland management and restoration at The University of Queensland’s School of Environment . Working with Prof. Catherine Lovelock and Dr. Valerie Hagger , the fellows will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team exploring the role of coastal wetlands in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity conservation.
One role will focus on biodiversity in coastal wetlands , contributing to a biodiversity market method to assess improvements from coastal wetland restoration in collaboration with research partners, Traditional Owners, and government agencies. Research will involve refining indicators for measuring biodiversity improvements in different ecosystems across the seascape through application on existing restoration projects throughout Australia and may involve fieldwork at these locations.
The second role will focus on biodiversity impacts of feral ungulates (e.g. pigs, buffalo, cattle) in floodplain wetlands and adjacent terrestrial ecosystems, contributing to a biodiversity market method for assessing improvements from ungulate management. Research will involve fieldwork in northern Australia with Traditional Owners and Indigenous rangers, exploring indicators of damage to biodiversity and cultural values and cost-effectiveness of management strategies .
Join us in shaping innovative, impactful research in wetland conservation and restoration.
Key responsibilities will include:
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Research: Establish a research program, collaborate on research projects, seek and manage research funding, publish in reputable journals, utilize best practice research methodologies, and participate in project discussions.
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Supervision and Researcher Development: Supervise students, recruit and manage employees, provide performance feedback and training, resolve conflicts, and ensure correct remuneration and benefits.
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Citizenship and Service: Develop partnerships, demonstrate leadership through mentoring, engage in internal service roles and committees, perform administrative functions, provide support to colleagues, and uphold university values.
This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.
About UQ
As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.
At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.
As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.
The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad: from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.
About You
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PhD (or near completion) in ecology, biodiversity/conservation science, or environmental science/management or invasive species ecology/management.
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Knowledge of carbon and nature market policy.
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Evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.
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Some experience in meaningful internal service roles and contributions towards external activities.
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Experience in collation and analysis of ecological datasets, including remote sensing and spatial analysis, and multivariate modelling methods.
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Knowledge of scripting languages such as R and spatial analysis tools such as ArcGIS or QGIS.
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Demonstrated ability to project manage and maintain delivery of high quality outputs.
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Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and to cooperate with and maintain effective relationships with a range of project partners, such as Indigenous organisations, government agencies, NGOs, and research institutes.
For the coastal wetland restoration position, you would also have:
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An emerging research profile in coastal wetland ecosystems, including experience in ecological research, assessment and/or management in mangroves, saltmarshes, supratidal forests or seagrass meadows.
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Strong familiarity with methods and field experience in surveying and assessing aquatic or terrestrial flora and/or fauna in coastal wetland ecosystems in Australia.
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Knowledge of restoration best-practices.
For the feral ungulate management position, you would also have:
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An emerging research profile in wetland and/or terrestrial ecosystem management, including experience in ecological research, assessment, and/or management in wetland or terrestrial ecosystems.
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Strong familiarity with methods and field experience surveying and assessing aquatic or terrestrial flora and/or fauna in wetland and/or terrestrial ecosystems in Australia.
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Knowledge of invasive species ecology and management, ideally of feral ungulates (e.g. pigs, buffalo, cattle).
The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia and education check.
You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.
If you feel that you have some but not all of the criteria described above, we encourage you to submit an application or reach out for a confidential discussion with us.
Questions?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Valerie Hagger v.hagger@uq.edu.au.
For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
Want to Apply?
All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
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Resume
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Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section (2 pages maximum)
Other Information
UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.
We know one of our strengths as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to talent@uq.edu.au for accessibility support or adjustments.
Applications close 26 March 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-48395). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for 3 April 2025 .