Research Associate in Conservation Ecology

The primary purpose of the position is to
contribute to the project _Formation of a core _
- response and analytics framework_ (also known
as Wildseek). Working closely with Landcare
Australia and WIRES Inc, this project aims to
create a system of data collection groups
across Australia that are trained to collect
wildlife data using drones, with an initial focus
on koalas, and to analyse and disseminate that
data to improve understanding and
management of koalas and other wildlife. This
project is part of the Conservation AI Network,
a group that pioneered the use of AI for the
detection of koalas in native habitat.

The Research Associate will be well supported
and will join a research group dedicated to
quantitative ecological analysis and biodiversity
conservation research using advanced
technology, often with the support of Machine
Learning. We aim to help threatened species
and manage invasive species using leading
edge analytics and artificial intelligence
algorithms.

This position provides an exciting opportunity
to be a key member of a dynamic team
working across the fields of biodiversity
conservation, quantitative ecology, artificial
intelligence and leading edge technology.

This position reports to the Associate Professor
in Ecology for supervision, workload
management and for Performance Planning
and Review (PPR).

**Key responsibilities include**:

- Proactively engage and work in close

collaboration with the project team.
- Contribute to the delivery and development

of projects aligned with biodiversity
conservation research.
- Use software to identify threatened species

in imagery supplied from contributing
groups.
- Collate data from imagery that has been

supplied by participating groups, data
repositories and other sources, for
quantitative analysis.
- Conduct spatial analysis and statistical

modelling to create novel and important
new knowledge and to assist with the
prioritisation of survey efforts.
- Contribute as a team member to assist with

data collection, data analysis, and
conference presentations, working with a
range of collaborators in conservation
ecology, invasive species ecology and
volunteer groups.
- Contribute to publication of scientific reports

and scholarly articles in internationally
recognized peer-reviewed journals.
- Attend meetings of relevant working groups

and committees.
- Provide assistance to other projects

including PhD, Masters and Honours
student projects, as required.
- Liaise with volunteer groups to assist with

planning surveys, data collection and data
transfers.
- Implement and administer University policy

within the Faculty with respect to equitable
access to education and workplace health
and safety.
- Implementing and administering University

policy within the Faculty with respect to
equitable access to education and
workplace health and safety.

To ensure job flexibility the successful
- appointee may be required to:
- perform any other duties as nominated by

the University consistent with the relevant
classification descriptors detailed in the
Enterprise Agreement. Staff undertaking
any new duties will receive training;
- participate in job rotation or multiskilling in

consultation with their supervisor;
- work across campuses.

To be appointed as a Research Associate the
successful applicant must meet the position
classification standards outlined in the QUT
Enterprise Agreement (Academic Staff).

**Type of appointment**
This appointment will be offered on a fixed
- term, full-time basis for two (2) years.

**Location**
Gardens Point campus.

Selection Criteria
1. Completion of a PhD (with a significant

research component), in a discipline of
relevance to the research topic (e.g.
quantitative ecology, biodiversity
conservation, environmental statistics,
machine learning applied to the
environment).

2. Highly developed written and oral
communication skills, including at least
one peer-reviewed publication, ideally as
lead author.

3. Demonstrated experience in spatial data
analysis, statistical analysis and coding in
a relevant programming language (e.g. R,
Python).

4. Well-developed interpersonal and written
communication skills, including the ability
to develop or assist in the development of
collaborative partnerships with both
internal and external stakeholders.

5. Demonstrated capacity for project
management with stakeholders, including
accomplishment of milestones in a timely
manner.

**Remuneration and Benefits**
- The classification for this position is Academic
- Level A (LEVA) which has an annual
- remuneration range of $83,894 to $113,836
- pa. Which is inclusive of an annual salary
- range of $70,891 to $96,193 pa, 17%
- superannuation and leave loading.
- Beyond personal and professional fulfilment, a
- career at QUT brings a broad range of tangible
- benefits. With competitive remuneration
- including superannuation, the University offers
- real and generous benefits.
- QUT is a high quality and flexible organisat