Seed Science Project Officer

Australia's natural and cultural heritage is unique. Our land and seascapes are distinctive, home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and to some of the oldest living cultures on earth. These environments and cultures are an essential part of our national identity, and visitors travel from across the country and the world to experience them. The Director of National Parks (the Director) is responsible for six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, 58 Australian Marine Parks and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Parks Australia is the federal park agency that supports the Director, and they are a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department). We work to showcase these natural and cultural wonders to the world, demonstrating to all why these places are so special, and inspiring communities to become more invested in their care and future.

The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels. Our work includes:

• Strategic science planning and prioritisation and shaping research partnerships for Parks Australia.
• Leading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia – in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weaving.
• Providing scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management Plans.
• Managing the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation's largest living collection of native plants.
• Innovation in the cross-cutting application of new technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomes.
• Facilitating research and science capacity building and education.
• Curating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservation.

The Conservation Science section, which has been recently established in the branch, facilitates and supports innovative, cross-disciplinary research to inform management of the Commonwealth parks and gardens, to achieve outcomes for conservation and community, and to contribute to the national nature positive conversation. The section includes marine and terrestrial conservation scientists working together on complex, real-world problems that realise the potential for the parks and gardens to build conservation knowledge for Australia.

The Conservation Science Section includes the National Seed Bank (NSB) at the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG). The NSB team contributes to conservation of threatened plant species by sourcing, collecting and storing wild seeds, and conducting research on seed germination requirements, dormancy, longevity in storage and reproductive ecology. The NSB contains a unique collection of seeds and other germplasm (such as spore) of native plant species from all over Australia - approximately 8,000 collections of almost 4,000 species. These scientific collections are associated with data such as provenance, propagation and lineage history, seed research, curated images, and verified herbarium specimens, and are integrated with wider plant conservation and research conducted at the ANBG. With combined expertise in botanical taxonomy, evolution and systematics, seed biology and horticulture, the ANBG is uniquely placed to provide holistic national plant conservation solutions.

The job

The Seed Science Project Officer will play a key role in delivering 'The Rutaceae Project'. This project aims to advance our understanding of seed germination strategies in Rutaceae species, particularly those with deep and complex dormancy mechanisms. Through a combination of laboratory and field-based experiments, the project seeks to uncover how seedling establishment is optimised in natural environments, while also supporting the ex-situ conservation of Rutaceae species that are notoriously difficult to germinate in seed banks across Australia. We are looking for a passionate and experienced research scientist who is enthusiastic about seed biology, ecology, and conservation. The ideal candidate will bring a collaborative mindset and the ability to design and deliver high-quality research. Success in this role will require excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a proactive and curious approach to learning, passion for both fieldwork and laboratory research, and a commitment to engaging respectfully and meaningfully with First Nations Peoples. In this role, under supervision from conservation and science staff at the NSB, responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing the scientific literature to determine gaps in our current knowledge of Rutaceae regeneration via seed.
• Collaboratively designing, conducting, analysing and interpreting lab and field experiments to investigate the seed germination strategy and post-fire recruitment potential of Rutaceae seeds.
• Collecting mature, high-quality seeds from the wild, deploying soil data loggers at collection sites, and setting up and maintaining a seed burial experiment in situ.
• Entering and maintaining germination and viability test data in an accurate and timely manner, in various formats including the ANBG electronic database.
• Preparing a clearly structured and concise written report for project partners, including figures, and presenting findings to internal and external audiences.

The job will be initially filled as a non-ongoing position for a period of 12 months with possibility of extension up to 24 months.

What you'll gain from the experience

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to novel research in seed biology and conservation, with a focus on one of Australia's most challenging and ecologically significant plant families. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in both laboratory and field settings, collaborate with a passionate and multidisciplinary team, and deepen their understanding of seed biology and ecology. They will also have the chance to build meaningful relationships with First Nations Peoples and contribute to culturally informed conservation practices, making a tangible impact on biodiversity preservation across Australia.

What we are looking for

We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:

Knowledge and experience:

• Demonstrated experience reviewing scientific literature and designing, conducting, analysing and interpreting results of plant-based and/or biological experiments.
• Demonstrated experience handling data in accurate and efficient ways to enable analysis and produce visual presentations that convey key results.
• Knowledge of seed biology, ecology and/or conservation would be an advantage.

Skills and capabilities:

• Ability to collaboratively plan and execute research to deliver a project and contribute to work area planning to meet organisational needs.
• Strong organisational skills for handling a range of tasks, defining work priorities and meeting agreed deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work affectively, collaboratively and cooperatively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated clear oral and written communication skills, including the ability to interact positively and maintain effective relationships with a range of colleagues and stakeholders.

Mandatory Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Science with research experience, or similar qualification / equivalent experience.

Additional requirements

• Wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures.

Eligibility and other requirements

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Mandatory qualifications– your suitability for employment will be dependent on you holding relevant mandatory qualifications.

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.