Research Assistant

**Work on a project with real-world conservation impact across WA, Kangaroo Island, and 150+ sites nationally**:

- ** Be part of a small, supportive research team in a growing and dynamic field**:

- ** Develop a career pathway in ecological research or natural resource management**

Are you passionate about conservation and ready to take your first steps into a research career? Join a dedicated team working on a national project to protect Australia’s native species.

**The Role**

We are seeking a motivated and capable Research Assistant to join a collaborative research project focused on understanding the movements of feral cats and foxes and evaluating the effectiveness of pest animal monitoring programs across Australia. The position forms part of a small research team, as part of the Commonwealth’s **Saving Native Species** and **Natural Resource Management** (NRM) initiatives.

You will support data collection and management, help coordinate stakeholder engagement and contribute to the preparation of publications and project reporting. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent science graduate interested in conservation, wildlife management, or ecological research.

Key responsibilities include:

- Working with stakeholders (e.g., NRM boards) to gather and collate data on feral cat and fox monitoring activities (primarily from camera traps)
- Preparing and securely store data, ensuring it's formatted for analysis and reporting
- Conducting simple summary statistics and assist with preliminary data interpretation
- Supporting research management tasks, including licensing, risk and animal ethics documentation
- Organising and attend meetings, workshops, and stakeholder presentations; record meeting minutes and actions
- Assisting with budget monitoring to ensure compliance with financial rules
- Contributing to the preparation and submission of research publications
- Developing outreach material (e.g., blogs, media releases) to promote the project
- Supporting project reporting for funding agencies and collaborators
- Participating in fieldwork depending on interest and project needs (Optional)

**What you’ll bring**

We’re looking for someone with:

- A degree in environmental science, ecology, biology, or a related field
- Strong data management skills and attention to detail
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- A curious, enquiring mindset and willingness to learn
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Confidence working with a variety of stakeholders and collaborators

This fixed term position is full time for 2 years at a HEW 6 Higher Education Level located at Callaghan Campus.

**About our University**

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision and our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability, the University of Newcastle’s _Looking Ahead_ Strategic Plan 2020-2025 outlines the University’s commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience and serving our communities.

For more information click here - Our Uni.

**What we offer**

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively.

These include:

- The remuneration for this position is pro-rated from $93,929 - $103641 p.a. + superannuation and is commensurate with skills and experience
- Flexible working arrangements (in line with the University’s Flexible Work Policy
- 17% super and salary packaging
- Additional University Holiday days, generous personal leave and parental leave, annual leave loading and additional purchased leave scheme
- Discounts in private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more
- Wellbeing programs

**Your next steps**
- Your resume
- A statement addressing the Essential Criteria listed below demonstrating your qualifications and experience with examples.
- A degree in science, environmental science or similar, or professional experience managing teams of researchers.
- Experience organising workshops or events
- Good written skills for report writing and scientific publications
- Ability to maintain financial records
- Good organisational ability to meet deadlines and plan for future events; and
- An ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA
- Ability to make online or media content to advertise the project.
- Basic graphic design skills Leadership Framework

**Please upload your Cover Letter**and** response to the requested Criteria as**one** PDF document**.

Your Cover Letter and Response to the Essential Criteria should not exceed 4 pages (approximately 2,000 words).

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