(Level A) $98,574 - $105,611 per annum plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation applies.
Fixed term position for 24 Months.
Postdoc opportunity - Open for Applications Until Filled
We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Postdoctoral Fellow in Ecological Modelling to join an interdisciplinary team investigating how ecological traits, environmental changes, and anthropogenic pressures have shaped historical declines and extinctions of Australian mammals. Working closely with leading academics and conservation practitioners, you will generate cutting-edge ecological insights that directly inform evidence-based conservation strategies.
The Postdoctoral Fellow will be part of two closely related Australian Research Council projects (Discovery and Linkage) that are using natural history collections, environmental DNA and ecological models to reconstruct the timing, scale, and rate of mammal declines in Australia. They will use critical inferences of past demographic change and high-performance computing to disentangle the ecological mechanisms that were integral in the initial decline and later extinction of Australia's unique mammals, pinpointing ecological characteristics and threats that most affect risk of extinction from environmental change.
The successful candidate would work with an international network of researchers from the University of Adelaide, University of Tasmania, University of Melbourne, University of Copenhagen and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. They will be based at the University’s School of Biological Sciences and Environment Institute, providing strong opportunities to interact with academic staff, government, conservation and museum partners, and other national and international agencies. This diverse, supportive environment fosters cross-disciplinary learning, professional development, and meaningful contributions to global conservation science.
To be successful you will need:
- A PhD in quantitative ecology, quantitative conservation biology, applied mathematics or a related Discipline
- Publication record in the relevant peer-reviewed literature
- An interest in global change ecology, macroecology, biogeography, or conservation biology
- Strong computational and analytical programming skills
- A good knowledge of advanced statistical / data science languages such as R or Python
- Experience working with geographic information systems
Desirable Characteristics:
- Experience with building spatially explicit models, including metapopulation and/or individual based models
- Knowledge of Bayesian methods, including Approximate Bayesian Computation
- Experience with big data analysis and HPC environments
- Knowledge of additional programming languages (e.g., Julia, Matlab, C#, C++)
- Familiarity with the applications and theory of environmental genomics
Qualifications:
A PhD in quantitative ecology, quantitative conservation biology, applied mathematics, or a related discipline.
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
The University is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaborations - 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. Flexible working arrangements are on offer for all roles at the University.
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.
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 position description or selection criteria document.
Open for Applications Until Filled
For further information
For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:
Assoc. Prof. Damien Fordham
University of Adelaide
damien.fordham@adelaide.edu.au
Prof. Barry Brook
University of Tasmania
barry.brook@utas.edu.au
Dr Natalie Briscoe
University pf Melbourne
nbriscoe@unimelb.edu.au
You'll find a full selection criteria below: (If no links appear, try viewing on another device)
The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified
The University is 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.
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