Research Fellow in Ecology

Position Type: Full-time, fixed-term position for up to 3 years
Academic Level: Level B
Base Salary: $114,824.05 – $136,048.73 + 17% Superannuation
Location: Based at the EcoSciences Precinct, Dutton Park, and/or at the Queensland Herbarium, Toowong

About This Opportunity

We’re seeking a Research Fellow to join a unique University – Queensland Government partnership delivering research with direct environmental impact. This role offers the opportunity to build your expertise and research profile in field ecology and remote sensing while contributing to initiatives that protect, manage and restore Queensland’s natural environments.

Funded by the Queensland Government’s Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), you will work closely with researchers across the School of the Environment, the Joint Remote Sensing Research Program (JRSRP), and DETSI teams including the Queensland Herbarium and Biodiversity Science (QHBS) and Earth Observation and Social Science (EOSS). Your work will translate cutting-edge research into practical, operational outcomes that support government decision-making and environmental stewardship.

This is an opportunity to do meaningful, purpose-driven research that delivers real-world outcomes for Queensland’s environment and communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Research: Lead and contribute to field ecology and remote sensing research focused on vegetation structure, including coordinating field campaigns, processing and analysing LiDAR and UAV data, producing high-quality research outputs, securing competitive funding, and translating research outcomes to end users and partners.

• Supervision and Researcher Development: Support and develop supervision capability by working with senior colleagues to advise and supervise Alliance partner staff and Honours and HDR students, fostering researcher development and resolving issues in line with University policy.

• Citizenship and Service: Demonstrate UQ values through collaboration, leadership of self, and active contribution to team operations, internal service roles, and decision-making, while representing UQ and Alliance partners through professional networks, stakeholder engagement, and advisory contributions.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad: from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

About You

• A minimum of a completion of PhD or an equivalent level of experience in remote sensing, mathematics, physics, science, geography or other related areas.

• A growing profile in research and development of methods for capture, processing and derivation of products from terrestrial and/or UAV LiDAR and other earth observation data, preferably for environmental monitoring applications.

• Demonstrated experience in using open source and proprietary software for processing terrestrial and/or UAV LiDAR.

• Demonstrated skills in contemporary computing technologies and data science for managing and processing large data sets and for the delivery, reporting and visualisation of data and results.

• Demonstrated experience in undertaking field work including planning, coordination and supervision of field teams, and working knowledge of associated Workplace Health and Safety principles and requirements.

• A well-developed or developing publication record demonstrated through experience in the preparation of high-quality reports and/or publications, presentations, and project related documentation.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment to deliver project specific products and activities.

• Demonstrated skills in project development and delivery to meet project partner requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to engage and communicate with team members, and a range of customers and collaborative partners, and professionally represent the Alliance partners and their interests.

Pre-Employment Checks

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualifications check. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

Work Rights and Relocation

Option One: You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Option Two: Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Stuart Phinn at s.phinn@uq.edu.au.

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume

• Cover letter

• Responses to the ‘About You’ section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close: Sunday, 1 February 2026 at 11.00pm AEST
Job Reference Number: R-59196
Interviews: Tentatively scheduled for the 2nd week of February

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com