Research Associate - Coastal Remote Sensing and GIS

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Crawley, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Deadline: 01 Dec 2021

  • Amazing opportunity for a dedicated postdoc with expertise in GIS and Remote Sensing to join a collaborative team working on the Integrated Coastal Analyses and Sensor Technology (ICoAST) project
  • Full time and 2 year fixed term appointment with an immediate start 
  • Salary range: Level A $72,780 p.a. -  $97,946 p.a. plus superannuation

UWA School of Agriculture and Environment

School of Biological Sciences

UWA Oceans Institute

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked amongst the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research-intensive universities.  With an enviable research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to ‘innovate and inspire’ there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top University.

About the team

You will work closely with researchers from the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, the School of Biological Sciences and the Oceans Institute. This position will be embedded with the work done by research fellows and PhD students at the School of Biological Sciences and at the Oceans Institute, and in association with partners at the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC) and The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), to integrate current and innovative research on the use of models to assist our understanding of the marine environment, and the coordination and participation in research expeditions to remote locations.

The UWA School of Agriculture and Environment is located in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and the state of Western Australia has over 20,000km of coastline adjoining the Indian and Southern Oceans, and a wealth of marine and natural resources.

The School of Biological Sciences is research-intensive with expertise in the disciplines of Computational Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Evolutionary Biology, Neuroscience and Science Communication.

The UWA Oceans Institute brings together the University’s multidisciplinary research strengths across areas including oceanography, ecology, engineering, resource management and governance to address key ocean challenges.

About the opportunity

As the appointee, you will join a collaborative team of researchers focused on understanding the drivers of habitat distribution and ecosystem ecology at marine and coastal sites along the Western Australia coastline as part of the Integrated Coastal Analyses and Sensor Technology (ICoAST) project. The ICoAST project is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institution project that will develop innovative applications and provide extensive knowledge of the key West Australian shallow and coastal marine environment.

You will work closely with the Spatial Ecology Theme Leader but will also work on areas of overlap with researchers in the Oceanography/Hydrodynamics theme and the Molecular Ecology theme, providing habitat data and analytical context. The appointee will also have the opportunity to work alongside complementary projects.

To be considered for this role, you will demonstrate:

  • PhD in spatial ecology, remote sensing ecology, terrestrial GIS/remote sensing, marine science or related discipline
  • Experience in applying remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) approaches to spatial sample design, mapping and modelling landscape and/or seascape data to inform ecosystem science. Particular emphasis on experience in satellite remote sensing planning and interpretation of environmental studies with application to spatial ecology
  • Experience in conducting large scale data analysis, using geoprocessing workflows both in a desktop and cloud computing environment, such as utilising Python programming language to do so, with particular emphasis on satellite derived data products to model underlying drivers of environmental and biodiversity outcomes. Particular emphasis on modelling satellite data for habitat and/or sea surface temperature (or land surface temperature) modelling at landscape/seascape level
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills including demonstrated ability to prepare and interpret scientific and technical reports, to publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals relative to opportunity, and to communicate technical material to a broad audience
  • A record of science innovation and creativity, including the ability & willingness to incorporate and produce novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations, whilst meeting deadlines and managing multiple complex tasks
  • High level organisation, negotiation and interpersonal skills, including the ability
  • to work both collaboratively in a research team, autonomously when required, and build effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders

Full details of the position responsibilities and the selection criteria are outlined in the position description.  In preparing your application you are asked to submit curriculum vitae and a document clearly addressing the selection criteria to demonstrate that you meet the criteria. 

Please see the position description prior to applying:   508185.pdf

Closing date: Wednesday, 01 December 2021

This position is open to international applicants.

Application Details: Please apply online via the Apply Now button.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity 

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce. We celebrate inclusion and diversity and believe gender equity is fundamental to achieving our goal of being a top 50 university by 2050. 

  • We have child friendly areas on campus, including childcare facilities. Flexible work arrangements, part-time hours and job sharing will all be considered. 
  • UWA has been awarded Bronze Employer Status for being a Top Ten Employer for LGBTI Inclusion by the Australian Workplace Equity Index (AWEI -2021). 
  • UWA has also been awarded Athena Swan Bronze Accreditation in 2020.    


Advertised:03 Nov 2021 W. Australia Standard Time
Applications close:01 Dec 2021 11:55 PM W. Australia Standard Time



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