Perth
AIMS AOF Level 5 Salary ($107,820 to $118,200 per annum)

About AIMS

The Australian Institute of Marine Science is Australia’s tropical marine research agency.

We are a trusted advisor, a partner and employer of choice, and we value integrity, innovation, collaboration and respect.

AIMS’ research of Australia’s tropical marine ecosystems guides their effective environmental management and contributes to our understanding of similar ecosystems around the world. Our research seeks to deliver practical benefit to all Australians and supports the sustainable use our tropical marine estate. Governments, reef managers, industry and the wider community look to our high-quality, long-term research for informed decisions about our iconic Great Barrier Reef, North-West Shelf, and Arafura and Timor Seas.

AIMS expert teams at our locations in Townsville, Darwin and Perth have access to world-class infrastructure, unique data-sets, cutting-edge laboratories and a fleet of modern research vessels. At AIMS, the way we work guides our team members’ on their collective journey towards the successful delivery our AIMS Strategy 2025 targets.

About the Program

Our Sustainable Use of North-West Marine Ecosystems Research Program AIMS established a presence in Western Australia over twenty-five years ago to address the emerging requirements of the offshore oil and gas industry for tropical marine environmental baseline information, but also in recognition of the unique and poorly understood marine systems in North-West Australia. The mission of the Sustainable Use of North-West Marine Ecosystems Program is to undertake science and deliver knowledge to provide a comprehensive understanding of Australia’s northern and north-western marine ecosystems and inform sustainable use and management of marine resources in the region.

About this Opportunity

AIMS is embarking on an exciting new project, ‘Reef Song’ to deliver the high-level objective of the Australian Coral Reef Resilience Initiative (ACRRI) and will assess the feasibility of a novel ecosystem-based approach to catalyse reef recovery and resilience.   It will operate on both west and east coasts and require the coordination of teams working out of Perth and Townsville in building resilience through enhancement of fish and corals.

Our Research Scientist - Reef Fish Ecologist will lead and implement a research program to understand the biology and ecology of the early life-history of reef fishes, and to develop and test tools for restoration of coral reefs across a variety of habitats and environmental gradients. In this role you will, identify and engage with opportunities for collaborative research within AIMS, and among AIMS, industry, and academia, nationally and internationally, to improve the science base for managing reef restoration in tropical Australia. Additionally, you will work with internal and external collaborators across disciplines to identify research needs and funding opportunities to deliver world-class research with fundamental and applied value.

Apply now and join a world leading organisation with attractive working conditions. The successful candidate will be rewarded with:

• AIMS AOF Level 5 Salary ($107,820 to $118,200 per annum)
• 15.4% superannuation
• Generous leave provisions
• Full-time, 4.5 years fixed term opportunity
• Based in Perth, Western Australia (with travel to remote, offshore locations)

About You

Your PhD and a minimum of three years of postdoctoral experience demonstrating substantive work on the biology, ecology, and/or physiology of reef fishes, with a focus on early life history will be fundamental to your success in this role. You will rely on your exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to influence decision makers, interpret scientific data and information, liaise, advise, report to and counsel various internal and external stakeholders who are from a wide range of educational and cultural backgrounds respectfully and ethically. Additionally, your experience with organizing and conducting field work on and around coral reefs, including diving and boating related activities and a Scientific Diver qualification will provide you with the capabilities to coordinate and participate safely in field trips in remote, offshore locations in Queensland and Western Australia, often for extended periods of time.

Next Step

Further information about this exciting and challenging opportunity is outlined in the Candidate Information Pack which is available to download from our website www.aims.gov.au. If, after reviewing the position description included in the Candidate Information Pack, you believe that your qualifications, experience and professional capabilities will enable you to successfully the deliver the position responsibilities, we would be very interested in hearing from you.

On the above website you will also find our Recruitment Application Guide which details the necessity to submit your statements addressing your suitability against the selection criteria within the scope of the position description which is detailed in the Candidate Information Pack.

Submitting your Application:  Please ensure that you have your completed documents (selection criteria responses, resume and cover letter) ready to attach to your online application form.

Shortlisted applicants may be asked to complete a personal outlook analysis questionnaire using the Birkman Method.

Position enquiries can be directed to Dr Mark Meekan at m.meekan@aims.gov.au.

Applications close: Wednesday 19-May-2021 (midnight, Perth WA time).

The Australian Institute of Marine Science acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land and sea on which we work. We recognise the unique relationships and enduring cultural and spiritual connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to land and sea, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.