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(Level A) $81,293 - $109,307 per annum plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation applies.

Fixed term, full time position for 2 years.

This Research Fellow position offers an exciting opportunity to develop innovative digital tools to support wildlife crime prevention. The successful candidate will join the Wildlife Crime Research Hub and work as part of the ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship program, Combatting Wildlife Crime and Preventing Environmental Harm. This role will focus on designing, building, and applying surveillance tools to enhance the detection of illicit environmental activities online.

The successful candidate will be appointed to a two-year fixed-term, research-intensive position supported by Professor Cassey's ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship, Combatting Wildlife Crime and Preventing Environmental Harm. Working closely with interdisciplinary teams including ecologists, economists, and criminologists, the researcher will provide novel digital tool solutions that support frontline practitioners, policymakers, and international partners combatting wildlife trafficking and environmental harm.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM CRITERIA

1. 
   
2. PhD in a relevant discipline such as computer science, data science, digital forensics, cyber security or a related field with demonstrated application to the surveillance or analysis of internet related crimes.
3. Demonstrated experience in digital tool development, including relational databases, webscraping and webcrawling tools, online data-sharing platforms, and systems that aid informed decision-making, with relevance to conservation planning, wildlife crime prevention, and/or environmental harm mitigation.
4. A strong publication record in computer science, digital innovation and forensics, and internet surveillance.
5. Experience working in collaborative, interdisciplinary teams, particularly in projects that integrate biology, data sciences, and/or software development.
6. Effective communication skills, including the ability to present research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences and engage in stakeholder or end-user consultation.
7. Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with the ability to contribute positively to a diverse academic community.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS

1. 
   
2. Proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Python, C#, or Ruby) and platforms commonly used in digital forensics and backend development.
3. Familiarity with software development lifecycle including design and documentation of software architecture, testing/debugging skills, and version control.
4. Experience applying machine learning, artificial intelligence, or statistical modelling techniques to digital forensics, online surveillance, or large-scale data analysis, particularly in the context of wildlife crime detection and prevention.
5. Experience deploying graphical user interface applications to potential partners using modern infrastructure such as Docker and Kubernetes, as well as cloud platforms like AWS or Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).
6. Experience contributing to or leading open-source projects or digital infrastructure for conservation science or environmental data sharing.
7. Track record of contributing to competitive research funding applications or demonstrated potential to support grant writing.
8. Experience in mentoring or supervising students or junior researchers in technical or scientific aspects of digital tool development and deployment.
9. Familiarity with the goals and scope of the Wildlife Crime Research Hub, at the University of Adelaide, and the capacity to contribute to its applied outcomes.

**This position requires a National Police Clearance or be willing and eligible to apply.

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.

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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. 

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

Click on the 'Apply Now' button to be taken through to the online application form. Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the selection criteria document.

Applications close 11:55pm (ACST), 24 November 2025.

The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

Professor Phill Cassey
ARC Industry Laureate Fellow
E:

You'll find a full position description and/or selection criteria below: (If no links appear, try viewing on another device)

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application. 

Download the Position Description