Research Associate In Adelaide

Overview

Research Associate in sedimentary ancient DNA applied to palaeoecology

Level A $81,293 - $109,307 per annum plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation applies.

Fixed term, full-time position for 33 Months

Responsibilities

We invite applications for a Research Associate to conduct interdisciplinary research using modern and sediment-hosted ancient DNA, funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project. The position will be based in Earth Sciences (School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences), involving collaboration with the Environmental Genomics Initiative (School of Biology) and the State Herbarium of South Australia. Specifically, the Research Associate will (a) construct and analyse a DNA reference database for the native flora of Kangaroo Island, South Australia; and (b) analyse ancient DNA from sediments on Kangaroo Island to develop novel records of vegetation change over the last 10,000 years.

The project will investigate the interplay between climate, fire, vegetation and people, involving collaboration with colleagues and students working on sedimentology, geochronology, palynology, isotopes and organic geochemistry. As part of this team, the Research Associate will contribute to fieldwork and sediment analysis, student supervision, and work towards synthesising the project outcomes to inform sustainable fire management and biodiversity conservation both on Kangaroo Island and across south-eastern Australia.

Qualifications

To be successful you will need :

• PhD or equivalent degree.
  
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the analysis of ancient DNA from Quaternary (or older) sediments.
  
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the bioinformatic processing of DNA data.
  
• An excellent publication record in international, peer-reviewed journals, relative to experience.
  
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following scientific disciplines : botany, fire ecology, landscape ecology, palaeoecology, climate change, paleoclimates, environmental change or similar.
  
• Willingness to work in a team environment and to communicate between disciplines.
  

Desired Characteristics

• Willingness to participate in supervision of undergraduate and / or PhD students.
  
• Expertise in field botany - plant identification, collection and curation.
  
• Expertise in lakes / wetlands and wetland sediments.
  
• Experience in numerical analysis or modelling of (palaeo)environmental data using R / python / Matlab or similar platforms.
  
• Experience with sediment analysis, which may include palaeoecological techniques, sedimentology, radiocarbon dating and / or geochemistry.
  

The path to Adelaide University

We are on an exciting path to Adelaide University as we prepare to open our doors in January 2026. Adelaide University will combine the strengths of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, and we are dedicated to creating an accessible and future-focused educational powerhouse that fosters economic and social wellbeing through ground-breaking research and innovative teaching. You can learn more about Adelaide University and more information will be provided throughout the recruitment process.

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

The University is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaborations - offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career. Our scientists work across a vast array of multidisciplinary themes and our has been rated by Australian Research Council's Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) as 'above world standard' to 'well above world standard'.

It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature - not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour - provides a constant source of inspiration.

Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.

We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life.

In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include : salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

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