Postdoctoral Research Associate – Environmental Microbiology & Water Quality

The Organisation

Since 2005, the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) has been one of Australia's leading marine research facilities. We support research through our university partners across all aspects of marine science, with a particular focus on marine conservation and restoration programs. Our diverse research programs range from restoring natural ecosystems in Sydney and other harbours around the world to deploying marine observing infrastructure that spans Australia and extends from the Indo-Pacific to the Macquarie Islands and Antarctica.

Learn more about us at sims.org.au. 

The Role

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will apply innovative molecular microbiological and ecogenomic techniques to monitor water quality in NSW coastal and estuarine ecosystems. They will collaborate with NSW Government partners for water sampling and perform lab-based analyses to characterise water quality. This role leads the scientific research and reporting for the water quality component of the IRAP project funded by NCRIS, involving fieldwork and laboratory analysis to quantify microbial water quality. The successful candidate will analyse large datasets, contribute to scientific publications, and report to the Project Manager and Principal Investigators, Professor Justin Seymour and Professor Martina Doblin, to ensure the project's success.

This role is a 2-year position inline with Government Funding of the project.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Education: A PhD or equivalent in Environmental Microbiology, Marine Ecology, or Water Quality Management & Assessment 
• Molecular microbiological approaches:
  • Including DNA extraction, PCR, quantitative PCR, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics 
  • A knowledge of microbial source tracking approaches for assessing water quality
• Fieldwork Experience: Proficient in planning and conducting marine fieldwork
• Attention to Detail: Exceptional project management and administrative skills.
• Technical Proficiency: Expertise in analysing complex data-sets with appropriate statistical approaches
• Process Documentation: Experience in documenting and refining processes, procedures, and policies.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated capacity to publish high quality peer-reviewed research and deliver engaging public speaking presentations to a range of audiences.
• Team Player: Strong collaborative skills with the ability to work effectively within a team as well as independently.
• Relationship building: Ability to form strong working relationships with research collaborators and a variety of government and industry stakeholders and research end-users 
• Adaptability: Capacity to co-lead the planning and implementation of a research program

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Flexible work arrangements
• Supportive and vibrant culture
• Work-life balance
• Investment in career development

If you’re looking for your next challenge in scientific research, are highly organised, and have a passion for marine science, we’d love to hear from you.

Click “Quick Apply” to submit your application!

Applications close at 5pm on Monday, July 22 2024 (extended)