Research Fellowship: Geographic Information Systems and Conservation Planning
Job Level(s): Research Academic Level B, Research Academic Level A
Location: James Cook University, Townsville
Closing date: 2 May 2008
Reference Number: 8132
Position Statement
The appointee will contribute to developing regional- and local-scale data sets for conservation planning in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. An initial focus will be the Avon catchment in southwestern Western Australia which is the focus of a collaborative project between James Cook University and regional and state management authorities in Western Australia. Subsequent projects are likely to include coastal catchments in North Queensland, and both terrestrial and marine areas in the Asia-Pacific region. The appointee will be part of an expanding research group focused on conservation planning and will help to develop a sub-program of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working on GIS and the application and development of conservation of conservation planning software, in close collaboration with practitioners. We seek applicants with strong GIS skills and an interest in any scientific area relevant to GIS and conservation planning. These include database management, programming, spatial analysis, spatial modeling and conservation planning software applied to the general areas of ecological, environmental or natural resource science and management. Experience in either terrestrial, freshwater or marine environments is relevant.
Duties and Accountabilities
The appointee will be required to:
- Conduct research independently and as part of a team which contributes to the achievement of the aims of the ARC Centre of Excellence, particularly Program 6: conservation planning for a sustainable future
- Lead the day-to-day GIS work and liaison for specific projects funded by industry partners;
- Work independently and collaborate with Centre staff to apply skills to research problems in conservation planning for diverse environments;
- Undertake research and development on novel GIS techniques and applications of conservation planning software, particularly for the design of conservation areas to promote the persistence of biodiversity processes;
- Participation in and assistance with organizing workshops on GIS and conservation planning; the workshops will cover issues ranging from datasets, quantitative conservation objectives, software, and requirements for implementation;
- Produce publications from research in high-quality journals
- Co-supervise graduate students, if appropriate.
Key Selection Criteria
- PhD in related discipline;
- Exceptional publication record for stage of career;
- Strong modelling or analytical skills;
- Established interest in any scientific area relevant to GIS and conservation planning;
- Established links (national and international) with appropriate research organisations and personnel;
- Demonstrated effective interpersonal and communication skills.
Desirable Selection Criteria
- Experience with scripting and/or programming languages (e.g. Python, Visual Basic, .NET) used with Geographic Information Systems;
- Experience with model builders such as used in ERDAS IMAGINE, ESRI Spatial Analyst and Idrisi Land Change Modeler;
- Experience with spatial statistics;
- Experience with operation and/or development of conservation planning software.
Enquiries to
Professor Bob Pressey
61 (0)7 4781 6914
Bob.Pressey@jcu.edu.au
Employment Type
Appointments will be full-time for a fixed term (research only) of up to three years subject to a probationary period.
Salary
$65695 to $77734 per annum
$58312 to $62484 per annum
depending on qualifications and experience
Benefits
Benefits include generous employer superannuation contribution and attractive options for salary packaging.
Method of Application Procedure
Please forward a Curriculum Vitae, statement of research interests, one page outline of possible research approach, pdfs of recent publications, addresses of three referees, a summary application form and a covering letter addressing the selection criteria to the Recruitment Officer, Human Resources. Telephone (07) 4781 6586, e-mail jcu.recruitment@jcu.edu.au. Alternatively the application may be lodged electronically by using the on-line facility Apply online for this job
