"Molecular Ecology Researcher and Research Scientist Evolutionary Genomics positions"

About AIMS

The Australian Institute of Marine Science is Australia’s tropical marine research agency.

We are a trusted advisor, a partner and employer of choice, and we value integrity, innovation, collaboration and respect. AIMS’ research of Australia’s tropical marine ecosystems guides their effective environmental management and contributes to our understanding of similar ecosystems around the world.

Our research seeks to deliver practical benefit to all Australians and supports the sustainable use of our tropical marine estate. Governments, reef managers, industry and the wider community look to our high-quality, long-term research for informed decisions about our iconic Great Barrier Reef, North-West Shelf, and Arafura and Timor Seas. AIMS expert teams at our locations in Townsville, Darwin and Perth have access to world-class infrastructure, unique datasets, cutting-edge laboratories, and a fleet of modern research vessels.

About these exciting opportunities

Our Coral Reef Adaptation team encompasses diverse science projects to understand natural processes affecting adaptation and genetic diversity in coral reef organisms, to develop novel interventions aimed at enhancing coral climate resilience, to deploy enhanced corals on the reef and assess the consequences of the deployment, and to communicate and co-develop restoration options for traditional owners and other stakeholders. They are currently seeking to fill these exciting opportunities to join their team:

Molecular Ecology Researcher 22003

As our Molecular Ecology Researcher, you will take a leading role in experimental design, implementation, and analyses to support genetic monitoring, baseline genomic investigations, and genomic data management to discern ecological and conservation-relevant insights from genomic data. You will lead and contribute to scientific investigations and develop tools and procedures for reproducible workflows and end-to-end field to genotype specimen and data handling procedures.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Leading and collaboratively supporting scientific research and publications related to coral adaptation, genetic diversity, and dispersal;
• Engaging with other programs and teams within AIMS and externally to build scientific synergies, linkages and compatible field, molecular, bioinformatic, and data storage procedures;
• Creating reproducible workflows and developing end-to-end field-to-genotype specimen and data handling procedures
• Taking a leading role in scuba-based field work to support research.

About you

As a Molecular Ecology Researcher, you will hold a PhD in a relevant discipline with a developing profile of innovative research addressing substantive issues in molecular ecology and conservation genetics published in leading peer reviewed journals. You will be proficient in bioinformatics and population genomic analysis for both whole genome and reduced representation sequencing. You should be proficient in appropriate computing language(s) and have a demonstrated record of reproducible research and complex data management working in HPC environments. You are committed to teamwork, safety and have diving-based field experience. Advanced field and boating skills are highly desirable.

Research Scientist Evolutionary Genomics 22010

As AIMS’ Research Scientist Evolutionary Genomics you will provide strategic leadership and oversight in evolutionary genomics. This would include estimating and monitoring natural and enhanced evolutionary resilience, including coordinating genetic monitoring programs, aligning to the research theme of Future Reefs.

You will design and lead innovative research that is published in high impact journals to advance understandings of adaptation and genetic diversity in wild, captive bred, and enhanced corals along with adapting metrics and procedures for genomic diversity monitoring.

This role will focus on providing comprehensive support, advice, and collaboration to AIMS researchers and team members using genomic tools, especially with respect to eukaryotic bioinformatics and population genomic analyses.

About you

As a Research Scientist you will hold a PhD in a relevant discipline with an established international profile of innovative research published in high impact peer reviewed journals coupled with your demonstrated experience of applying cutting edge population genomic analyses to marine invertebrate species, including methods and insights that utilise chromosomal level reference genomes.

Our ideal candidate will have theoretical knowledge and empirical experience working with cryptic species, hybridisation, and invasive species, a record of obtaining funding from competitive national schemes along with advanced field and boating skills.

Join a world leading organisation with attractive working conditions. In line with our Enterprise Agreement, the successful candidate will be rewarded with:

• Full-time, Permanent opportunity
• Located in Townsville (Qld)
• 9-day fortnight, enjoy a long weekend each fortnight
• Flexible Work Arrangements considered including hybrid working (where suitable)
• Generous and supportive leave entitlements
• Access to Commuter car fleet arrangements to travel to site (in Townsville only)
• Salary Sacrifice opportunities
• Access to Fitness Passport program, offering discounted membership to selected gyms
• Employee Assistance Program
• Relocation assistance available

Please note

Non-Australian Citizens must hold an appropriate Visa with working entitlements that allows paid employment with AIMS from commencement and for the term of the appointment, depending on the relevant Department of Home Affairs current policies. AIMS may be able to consider sponsorship for international applicants for this role, however, please note that visa processing times can impact the ability for AIMS to consider sponsorship for vacancies. AIMS must meet the requirements of the Department of Home Affairs immigration policies and processes, including the necessity to test the local labour market for suitable applicants. This includes international talent pool members who are Australian visa holders who have relevant working rights.

Next Step

Further information about these exciting and challenging opportunities is outlined in the Candidate Information Pack which is available to download from our website www.aims.gov.au. If, after reviewing the position description and selection criteria included in the Candidate Information Pack, you believe that your qualifications, experience and professional capabilities will enable you to successfully the deliver the position responsibilities, we encourage you to make an application via our website.

Position enquiries are to be directed to Cynthia Riginos, Research Team Leader - Coral Reef Adaptation Team at c.riginos@aims.gov.au. Applications must be made through our website per above.

Applications close: THURSDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2025 (11.45PM, AEST).

AIMS acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia's first scientists. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and future, and the custodians of the land and sea Country on which we work.