Krill and Krill Ecosystems Statistical Modeller

Research Scientist (APS6 - EL1) - $88,408 - $124,403
- Australian Antarctic
- Kingston - TAS

The Statistical Modeller will lead energetic and population modelling of Antarctic krill, krill predators and krill consumption under the Australian Antarctic Science Krill and Krill Ecosystem project.

**Who we are**
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic goals.
These goals are to:

- maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it
- protect the Antarctic environment
- understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system
- undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance.

The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard and McDonald Islands.

The AAD Science Branch leads, conducts and supports a world class program of scientific research and environmental management, consistent with national priorities through the Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan. The branch provides research and advice to support Australia’s Antarctic policy objectives, including participation in the Antarctic Treaty system and other international committees, commissions and intergovernmental panels. It manages and administers the Australian Antarctic Science Program (including project requests, assessment, and reporting) and provides scientific and research advice to support regulatory and management decisions. The branch provides scientific advice for Antarctic capability projects, conducts impact assessments and develops strategies to address environmental legacies, and undertakes targeted outreach promoting the value of Australian Antarctic science.

The responsibilities of the Science Branch are diverse as we lead the Australian Government’s scientific program in Antarctica. Our research addresses critical issues including climate change, the human footprint in Antarctica, and the conservation of Antarctic and Southern Ocean wildlife. Our diverse research program covers physical and life sciences in the atmosphere, terrestrial and marine domains.

Research themes include:

- understanding key high latitude processes
- reconstructing past climate from ice cores
- understanding the role of sea ice in climate and ecosystem processes
- assessing the Antarctic ice sheet and its contribution to sea level rise
- undertaking strategic and integrated monitoring of biological and physical variables
- data processing and synthesis
- performing environmental assessments and conservation planning to inform and drive management and policy
- undertaking risk assessment and remediation of contaminated sites
- ensuring sustainable and well managed Southern Ocean fisheries and understanding krill as the foundation of the Southern Ocean ecosystem.

**The Job**
The Research Scientist (Statistical Modeller) will lead the development of population and bioenergetic models to simulate population dynamics of krill and krill predators, describe the processes by which they acquire energy from their environment, and how this energy is allocated to their life history functions. These models will be used to assess the needs of, and constraints on key Antarctic marine species to inform the ecosystem-based management of the Antarctic krill fishery and the potential impacts of a rapidly changing environment.

Responsibilities will include:

- Lead the population and energetic modelling of Antarctic krill, krill predators and krill consumption.
- Contribute to the Division’s broader program of ecological and fisheries management research.
- Contribute to Australia’s submissions to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in relation to the management of the Antarctic krill fisheries and the associated risk assessments.
- Contribute to Australia’s submissions to the International Whaling Commission in relation to the population dynamics of whales, the life-history and foraging strategies of Antarctic whales and the role of whales in the Antarctic krill ecosystem.
- Write research papers for peer-reviewed journals, and scientific reports to national and international fora.

This role may provide opportunities to participate in research voyages to the Southern Ocean and/or field work in Antarctica.

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
- Knowledge and experience with a range of ecosystem, bioenergetic and population modelling techniques.
- Experience in the analysis of large, complex survey, ecological and environmental datasets, and the use of relevant software.
- A strong track record of peer-reviewed scientific publication.
- A demonstrated track record of fostering collaboration towards effective science outcomes and contributing to a pos