Ref 1532/24 Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Avian Ecology and Conservation, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

• Full-time, fixed-term position for 3 years | Based at Westerns Hawkesbury Campus
• Remuneration: $106,765 to $128,989 p.a Inclusive of Super + Leave Loading
• Benefits: Flexible Work Arrangements | Salary Packaging | 35-hour work week

• Full-time, fixed-term position for 3 years
• Based at Westerns Hawkesbury Campus

Western Sydney University is a modern, forward-thinking, research-led institution committed to excellence in education, research, and community impact. We are proud to be ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide and hold the top position in the Times Higher Education Impact rankings, with 85% of its research being at or above world standard. At Western Sydney University, we recognise that unlocking your true potential is the key to your success, just as we do for our students. Our core values - Boldness, Fairness, Integrity, and Excellence – serve as guiding principles for our organisational culture and influence the work we do. With a team of 3,500 dedicated staff members, we foster a dynamic, inclusive, and innovative culture deeply rooted in research and dedicated to student-centred excellence. It's the perfect environment for you to thrive professionally. If you are a dedicated and forward-thinking academic seeking a career that can make a meaningful difference, we invite you to discover the abundant opportunities, innovation, and impact that await you at Western Sydney University.

About the Role
The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) are seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Avian Ecology and Conservation to join the team. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will support the Resilient Landscapes Hub of Australia’s National Environmental Science Program project “Ecology and conservation of the Christmas Island goshawk and hawk-owl”. 

The successful applicant will work closely with the project leadership team from Western Sydney University (Prof. Justin Welbergen), Monash University (A/Prof. Rohan Clarke), and Parks Australia (Dr Nicholas Macgregor), and with Christmas Island National Park, and help to coordinate a wider project team. Little is known about the ecology of Christmas Island’s two endemic apex predators – the Christmas Island hawk-owl (Ninox natalis) and Christmas Island goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus natalis), hampering effective conservation management of these threatened and ecologically important species. To address this, the project will combine field-based and lab-based methods to determine the status, health and critical habitat requirements of these species. The project will also develop and implement a robust monitoring program to determine population trends. Results will inform conservation management for the two raptor species, for example spatial targeting of habitat management on Christmas Island and management of invasive prey species (e.g. black rats). 

The Fellow will communicate project results at scientific meetings and publish results in high-impact international journals, as well as communicating project outcomes with external partners, wildlife management authorities and other stakeholders. Opportunities will exist to contribute to both undergraduate and graduate teaching/training, including opportunities for mentoring or supervising Higher Degree Research students. 

This is a full-time, fixed-term position for 3 years based at Westerns Hawkesbury Campus. Travel to other campuses of the University may be required. Please review the position description for further information.

For information about The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, please visit our webpage www.westernsydney.edu.au/hie . 

About You
The successful applicant will PhD degree or equivalent professional experience in a research field related to avian ecology and/or avian conservation biology. You will have experience working under remote and physically demanding field-based research conditions. A track-record of delivering effective field research whilst living and working in small island communities (or similar) would be considered a distinct advantage. In addition, the successful applicant will have the ability to write manuscripts for publication in internationally recognised scientific journals and communicate project outcomes with external partners and stakeholders.

Culture 
Western Sydney University highly values equity and inclusiveness. We have a proud history of doing so and consider this an important part of our social and civic responsibilities as a University. We strive to contribute to tackling inequalities and promoting wellbeing within our own institution, the Greater Western Sydney region, nationally and internationally. If you share our passion for creating a more equitable and inclusive world, and if you are ready to contribute to meaningful change, join us in our mission to promote equity, inclusiveness, and wellbeing. 

Benefits
At Western Sydney University, we deeply value our staff and recognise their invaluable contributions that drive our mission and uphold our values. In return for your dedication, we offer:

• 17% super contributions
• 35 hour work week
• Salary Packaging options

If this sounds like an opportunity for you, we want to hear from you! Apply now ensuring you carefully address each of the selection criteria in your application.

Remuneration Package: Academic Level A $106,765 to $128,989 p.a. (comprising Salary of $90,218 to $108,997 p.a., plus Superannuation and Leave Loading)

Position Enquires: Please direct enquires about the role to Professor Justin Welbergen via email at [email protected]  

Recruitment Enquiries: For any enquiries or issues with your application may be directed to the Recruitment Team at [email protected]  

Closing Date: 8:30pm, Sunday 14 April 2024

Working Rights in Australia - Eligibility 
You must provide evidence of your fulltime working rights in Australia at time of application.

Please note, only those applications submitted via the WSU online recruitment system will be accepted.

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Western Sydney University is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ, and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are encouraged.

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