Grant Funded Postdoctoral Researcher (A)-Malacology

Job no:513119
Work type:Fixed term - Full-time
Campus:Adelaide
Categories:Level A, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Level A ($75,888-$102,040) per annum plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation

36 months fixed-term contract- full-time

Based out of Waite Campus

The School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, and the South Australian Research Development Institute (SARDI) seek to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to contribute to a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)-funded project on the ecology and management of pest slugs in the grain industry. The appointment will be for the term of the research project which is three years.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will contribute to research on optimising management of the grey field slug, Deroceras reticulatum, and black keeled slug, Milax gagates. The goal of the research is to develop a risk matrix for slugs in areas where damage to crops is sporadic. The grey field slug and black-keeled slug become active in autumn after rainfall and when cooler temperatures occur. However, populations and damage can vary unpredictably between years in some areas. Moisture and temperature are key drivers of slug populations. Other variables that may be important are crop history, stubbles and crop residue, soil type, rainfall history, and slug baiting and other management practices. Understanding how these variables contribute to produce variability in crop damage is necessary so that management decisions, particularly the timing of baiting, can be rationally based.

The position is based at the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine, one of several Schools in the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, at the Waite Campus of the University of Adelaide and will report to the project leader, Dr Kate Muirhead. The Waite campus hosts a world-class concentration of scientific research, education, and product conferring capability, with appropriate infrastructure and resources.

To be successful you will need:

• A PhD in zoology, ecology, malacology, entomology, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to promote the organisational values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery, and a commitment to positively comply with the associated behaviour expectations.
• A track record in ecological research, evidenced by papers in peer-reviewed journals or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with academic, industry and government stakeholders.
• Strong organisational, time management, and interpersonal skills, and competency to carry out autonomous research on agricultural properties.

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

The University of Adelaide 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

How to Apply

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.

***Applications close 11:55pm, Sunday 14th January 2024***

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

Dr. David Logan

Senior Research Fellow C
School, Agriculture, Food & Wine

E: [email protected]

The University of Adelaide is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply.

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