Tern Collections Assistant

**HEO4 $73,961 - $81.067 per annum plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation applies.**

**Fixed term - 12 months from the date of commencement**

The TERN Australia Soil and Herbarium Collection is a dynamic national archive of ecosystem monitoring data and samples. Located at The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, this resource provides key ecosystem research infrastructure for scientists and decision-makers. The collection includes over 25,000 curated soil samples, 10,000 metagenomic samples, and 65,000 plant tissue samples, in addition to 56,000 herbarium-identified vouchers, either housed at Waite or in corresponding national herbaria.

Working under routine supervision, the Collections Assistant is based with the TERN Ecosystem Surveillance team, located at the Waite Campus, Adelaide. The Collections Assistant will work in a small team and undertake the curation of field-collected soil samples and herbarium specimens. Key tasks include the handling, processing, scanning, and management of samples stored at the TERN Soil and Herbarium Collection.

The Collections Assistant may also support the team in undertaking field surveys following well-established ecological monitoring protocols. Interstate and remote travel, including camping in remote locations for extended periods (up to 14 days), on 2-4 separate occasions annually, may be required.

**To be successful you will need**:

- Knowledge or experience undertaking ecological surveys, including collecting and preparing plant or soil
- samples for preservation, identification and classification.
- Knowledge or experience using MS Office (Excel, Access, Word, Outlook) and collecting data digitally.
- Knowledge or experience undertaking remote area operations, incorporating effective communications, navigation, management of health, safety and wellbeing, and the environment.
- Ability to work in a team environment and willingness to help others achieve program objectives.
- Ability to communicate effectively, seek understanding and ask questions to clarify meaning.

**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 HERE and more information will be provided throughout the recruitment process.

**Enjoy an outstanding career environment**

We offer a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaboration - offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.

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 Staff Values and Behaviour Framework 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.

Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/jobs

**Your faculty's broader role**

The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The Faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance.

Learn more at: set.adelaide.edu.au

**If you have the talent, we'll give you the opportunity. Together, let's make history.**

Applications close 11:55pm, Friday 15 August 2025

**For further information**

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:
**Caleb Coish**
TERN Business and Finance Manager
P: +61 (8) 8313 1142

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