Position Number: 0064427
Location: Burnley
Role type: Full-time; Fixed-term for 24 months
Start Date: Mid-February 2025
Faculty: Science
Department/School: School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
Salary: UOM Level 5 – $83,159 – $95,518 p.a. plus 17% super

• Conduct field monitoring and laboratory analyses to support stream protection, monitoring, management and restoration research for the benefit of Melbourne’s waterways
• Be part of a leading waterway ecological research group, contributing to research practices, new knowledge and innovative solutions for improved stream management
• Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families!

About the Role
The Research Officer (Stream Ecology) will join the Waterway Ecosystem Research Group at Burnley Campus, contributing to waterway research studies as part of the Melbourne Waterways Research-Practice Partnership. The role involves ecological field monitoring, data management, laboratory analyses, and supporting postgraduate students.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Organise and plan field monitoring activities associated with research projects in stream ecology, hydrology and water quality.
• Carry out, under direction, field monitoring and experimental activities, with particular emphasis on ecological monitoring (including ecosystem structure and function).
• Ensure high-quality data management to aid data analysis and interpretation.
• Develop networks and pro-actively liaise with colleagues and researchers within the School, Faculty of Science and wider University as well as other institutions, project stakeholders, and the community to facilitate the achievement of project outcomes.
• Apply broad research technical knowledge to the project by recommending improvement to processes.
• Undertake administration primarily relating to the activities of the role.

Who We Are Looking For
You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders. Your strong organisational abilities allow you to manage competing priorities across multiple projects while contributing to scientific reporting and achieving objectives under broad direction.

You will also have:

• Completed a relevant degree with at least two years subsequent work experience in biology, ecology or environmental science (or a post-graduate degree).
• Demonstrated understanding of sampling and data collection in water quality and freshwater biota, with demonstrated ability in understanding the use of the data and therefore the required quality of data for the purpose.
• Demonstrated experience in rigorous laboratory skills.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with relevant institutions and stakeholders to foster collaborative partnerships and ensure monitoring is undertaken in accordance with their requirements.

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.

This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia for the 24-month term.

Your New Team – “School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences“
The School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences (SAFES) has a vision of science for flourishing environments and communities. The School brings together diverse discipline strengths to lead the development of new interdisciplinary thinking and high-impact solutions for global challenges relating to climate change, food security, healthy food systems, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, invasive species, and environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural practices. Our expertise spans biophysical, social and technical sciences, and we support a large cohort of PhD students across these domains. 

The School teaches a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including the Bachelor of Agriculture, several majors of the Bachelor of Science and, and six Master coursework programs: Master of Agricultural Sciences, Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation, Master of Food and Packaging Innovation, Master of Food Science, Master of Urban Horticulture and Master of Environment. 

What We Offer You!
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page!

About the University of Melbourne
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.   

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the employee listed on the first page of the Position Description found below, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring

Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents: 

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
• Your responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)

For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

Please ensure that you apply through the Apply Now button at the bottom of this advertisement. However, if you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Oliver Bukasa via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.