Job no: 544601
Work type: Full-time
Location: Geelong – Waurn Ponds
Categories: Science
- Research project focusing on the role of light/dark cycles in programming the development of birds
- Full-time and fixed term for 3 years, with part-time options negotiable
- Level A $74,024 – $99,512 + 17% Superannuation
Founded in 1974, Deakin is a public university in Victoria with 61,000 students across five campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, and the online Campus. We are a progressive and open-minded university, with the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world’s universities.
This role is part of a research project focusing on the role of light/dark cycles in programming the development of birds. The Associate Research Fellow will lead a program of research testing the environmental cues used by wild birds to time hatching and reproduction.
The first part of the project will be desk-based research and will involve compiling and analysing a global database on the timing of hatching in wild birds. In the second part of the project, the postdoc will gather empirical data to test the role of latitude in driving reproductive timing and physiology in wild zebra finches.
To do this, the postdoc will travel to remote locations in central Australia for fieldwork catching birds at a range of different field sites and transporting the birds back to captive holding. On campus, the project also involves monitoring the timing of reproduction in these captive breeding populations. Finally, the postdoc will assess the timing and drivers for reproductive timing by quantifying the onset of clock gene expression in avian embryos and the role of clock gene cycles in mediating reproduction in reproductively active adult birds.
Your key responsibilities will include the following:
- Conduct high-quality research, scholarship and creative activities generating high impact outputs, with mentorship
- Engage collaboratively to participate in novel and high-quality research outputs, including data analysis and writing publications
- Communicate outputs nationally and internationally, including as part of team
- Ensure impact of academic activity on the field and the community
- Support and may lead applications for funding for research and creative activities
- Build a body of work and reputation and recognition for quality, excellence and impact
- Lead and conduct field and campus-based data gathering, as well as training in molecular techniques and data analyses as required.
- Co-supervising honours and/or HDR students to achieve productive high-quality outcomes in a timely manner
- Developing early career research plan with guidance from mentors and supervisors
- Adopt culture of research excellence, innovation and impact
- Build awareness of relevant research partners including the funding agency and landowners
- Being responsible for management of animal ethics permits, State and local permit administration and obligations.
Key selection criteria for this role:
- PhD in a relevant discipline and/or other relevant qualifications and experience
- Emerging research and scholarship through publications, and/or exhibitions as appropriate to the discipline
- Capacity to contribute to research and carry out relevant administration
- Excellent interpersonal skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues and landowners
- Ability to make a contribution to community engagement for research
- Competence in database compilation, management and statistical analyses
- Experience of remote fieldwork, mistnetting experience, molecular techniques, genomic analyses, behavioural or physiological assays are desirable, but not essential
- An Australian bird banding licence would be advantageous
For a copy of the position description, please see below:
PD – Associate Research Fellow 544061.pdf
Applications for this position close on Friday 15 September.
Successful applicants will need to comply with vaccination mandates imposed by the relevant state/territory government. Applicants who attend third-party sites to undertake University activities will also be required to comply with any other directions or requirements in place at the third-party location.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Will be required to travel to remote locations for extended periods to undertake field work
- Will be required to euthanise a small number of animals
- Full Drivers Licence
- Working with Children Check
Please submit your updated resume, a short cover letter and responses to the Key Selection Criteria.
For a confidential discussion regarding this position, please contact Kate Buchanan (Professor) on [email protected]
Are You Ready?
Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.
We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.
We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.
We understand that our academic workforce is increasingly diverse, and we recognise academic careers may be placed on hold throughout many life circumstances. Achievement relative to opportunity places more emphasis on the quality, as opposed to the quantity of research outputs. In your application, we strongly encourage you to comment on your achievements relative to opportunity.
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