"Research Fellow in Biodiversity Indicators"

Role type: Full-time; Fixed-term for 2 years

Faculty: Faculty of Science

Department/ School: School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences

Salary: Level of appointment is subject to qualification and experience

Level A: $85,555 - $116,094 AUD p.a. plus 17% super

Level B: $122,212 – $145,121 AUD p.a. plus 17% super

• Lead pioneering biodiversity research projects
• Collaborate with top environmental agencies
• Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne

We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity

As a Research Fellow, you will lead pioneering research on biodiversity indicators and conservation policy, collaborating with leading environmental agencies to evaluate Australia’s monitoring capacity. Under Professor Emily Nicholson’s guidance, you will conduct quantitative analyses, mentor PhD students, and develop tools to support national and state policy, strengthening Australia’s contribution to global biodiversity commitments.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conduct High-Impact Research: Develop expertise in biodiversity indicators, publish in leading journals, and contribute to research seminars.
• Collaborate and Mentor: Engage with professional bodies, co-supervise research students, and build partnerships with government agencies.
• Lead and Innovate: Participate in School activities, contribute to public awareness initiatives, and uphold University values of diversity and inclusion.
• Contribute to Research Proposals: Assist in the preparation of research proposal submissions to internal or external funding bodies.
• Promote University Values: Actively participate in School and Faculty activities, contribute to planning and committee work, and effectively demonstrate and promote the University's values, including diversity, inclusion, and high standards of ethics and integrity.

You may be a great fit if:

You are a researcher with a strong understanding of national and global policy frameworks, such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and research experience in testing, developing, and analysing indicators and underlying datasets.

You should also:

• Possess a PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant field, such as ecology, conservation biology, or environmental science.
• Have a strong publication record, and can lead research projects with minimal supervision.
• Have research experience in biodiversity indicators and conservation policy.
• Demonstrate excellent quantitative and analytical skills, with experience in conducting rigorous statistical analyses and data analysis using R or Python.
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and experience in building collaborative partnerships with government and NGO stakeholders.
• Have experience supervising research students and attracting external funding.
• Have a commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and ethical practices in research and academia.

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you!

We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfillment, including:

• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your new team – The School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences (SAFES)

The School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences (SAFES) has a vision of flourishing environments and communities. The School brings together diverse discipline strengths to lead the development of new interdisciplinary thinking and high-impact solutions for global challenges relating to climate change, food security, healthy food systems, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, invasive species, and environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural practices. Our expertise spans biophysical, social and technical sciences, and we support a large cohort of PhD students across these domains.

The School teaches a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including the Bachelor of Agriculture, several majors of the Bachelor of Science and, and six Master coursework programs: Master of Agricultural Sciences, Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation, Master of Food and Packaging Innovation, Master of Food Science, Master of Urban Horticulture and Master of Environment.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We believe the diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing reasonable adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. For assistance, please contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments'). Contact details for other enquiries are located at the bottom of this page.

Find more information for applicants requiring reasonable adjustments.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Our Indigenous strategy, Murmuk Djerring outlines our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at oied-hr@unimelb.edu.au for further information and support.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

A Working with Children Check (WWCC) is required for all positions. If successful, we'll guide you through the WWCC application process during onboarding and reimburse the cost.

Join Us and unlock your career potential!

If this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
• The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)

Learn more about the application process, including tips and FAQs.

For recruitment queries, email Oliver Bukasa hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au. Include the Position Number and Job Title in the subject line. Please do not send applications to this email address.

For job-specific queries, refer to the contact details in the Position Description.

Applications close: 16 November 2025. 11:55 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) / Melbourne time zone.

Position Description: JR-005244 - Research Fellow in Biodiversity Indicators - PD.pdf