Field Assistant (Aplin)

Classification: ANU Officer Grade 2/3 (Technical)
Salary package: $41.00 - $48.91 per hour plus 12.5% superannuation
Term: Casual (multiple positions available)

The Position
This is a key role in a friendly, inclusive research group that is focused on understanding the social dynamics, cognition and culture of wild birds. We do this with a focus on large-scale experiments using active tracking and custom-built apparatus.  This role will be integral to support the aims of a research grant aimed at investigating social and foraging ecology in Canberra’s sulphur-crested cockatoos.

The Person
You will be part of a team working on wild sulphur-crested cockatoos at sites around the Illawarra region (primarily Stanwell Park and surrounding suburbs) over the winter 2024 field-season from July to September. In this role you will:

• habituate and non-invasively mark wild sulphur-crested cockatoos in suburban/peri-urban parks,
• help with construction, installation and monitoring of experimental equipment,
• implement behavioural observations and experiments,
• undertake data entry and behavioural coding of videos.

We are looking for people with experience in field work, preferably with wild birds. Experience with habituated animals or large birds is a bonus.

Candidates should be able work independently for long periods for time, but also willing to work in pairs and able to follow direction when needed. You must also be willing to undertake days where the majority of time will involve working outside. A driver’s license and good level of physical fitness will be necessary for the fieldwork component.

Opportunities to engage with research questions will be encouraged, and so the position would suit somebody who enjoys being involved in active field research on the cognitive ecology of birds.

The School
Learn more about the ground-breaking research and work class facilities of the Research School of Biology here . Learn more about the research of the Aplin lab here .

The College
The ANU College of Science  encompasses the disciplines of: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environment and Society, Mathematics, Physics, and Science Communication and is also home to a number of cross-disciplinary and specialist Institutes and Centres.  Staff and students within the ANU College of Science conduct research and deliver a research-led education program that encompasses the breadth of the sciences, supported by extensive international networks and by world-class facilities. 

To find out more about the Science at ANU community, follow us on social media at Instagram  and Facebook

For further information please contact, Dr Lucy Aplin on T: +61 2 6125 7714 E: [email protected] 

ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to people of all backgrounds and identities.  For more information about staff equity at ANU, click here .

For enquiries about the application process, or if you require reasonable adjustment to apply for this role, please contact our HR team at [email protected] or +61 2 6125 4533. Any adjustment request or the disclosure of disability will not be communicated to the selection committee without the candidates consent and it will not have any bearing on hiring decisions. For examples of common reasonable adjustments, please click here and select the Hiring and supporting people with disability section.

Application information
In order to apply for this role please make sure that you upload the following documents:

• A statement addressing the selection criteria.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) which includes the names and contact details of at least three referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor). If your CV does not include referees you can complete these online when prompted in the application form.
• Applicants are encouraged to include a relative to opportunity statement (if relevant), outlining the impact of relevant personal circumstances on their achievements and career. This supports appropriate evaluation of achievements relative to an individual's opportunities.
• Other documents, if required.

The committee will consider candidates who do not meet one or more aspects of the selection criteria.

If shortlisted, candidates may be asked to complete a 30 minute interview, either in person or over video conferencing software. Interviews will be conducted approximately one week after the job closes.

Please note: The successful candidate must already have rights to live and work in this country and will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process.  An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.