APS 6 - $88,408 - $100,378 per annum plus superannuation
- Australian Antarctic Division
- Kingston, TAS
- The Research Technician (Fisheries Acoustics) will contribute to and support the collection of active acoustic data at sea on marine science voyages under the Australian Antarctic Science Krill and Krill Ecosystem project. Specifically, the Research Technician (Fisheries Acoustics) will contribute to the operation of acoustic instruments to collect acoustic and other ancillary data to estimate krill and mesopelagic biomass._
**Who we are**
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic goals. These goals are to:
- maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it,
- protect the Antarctic environment,
- understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system,
- undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance.
The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard and McDonald Islands.
The AAD Science Branch leads, conducts and supports a world class program of scientific research and environmental management, consistent with national priorities through the Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan. The branch provides research and advice to support Australia's Antarctic policy objectives, including participation in the Antarctic Treaty system and other international committees, commissions and intergovernmental panels. It manages and administers the Australian Antarctic Science Program (including project requests, assessment, and reporting) and provides scientific and research advice to support regulatory and management decisions. The branch provides scientific advice for Antarctic capability projects, conducts impact assessments and develops strategies to address environmental legacies, and undertakes targeted outreach promoting the value of Australian Antarctic science. The responsibilities of the Science Branch are diverse as we lead the Australian Government's scientific program in Antarctica. Our research addresses critical issues including climate change, the human footprint in Antarctica, and the conservation of Antarctic and Southern Ocean wildlife. Our diverse research program covers physical and life sciences in the atmosphere, terrestrial and marine domains. Research themes include:
- understanding key high latitude processes,
- reconstructing past climate from ice cores,
- understanding the role of sea ice in climate and ecosystem processes,
- assessing the Antarctic ice sheet and its contribution to sea level rise,
- undertaking strategic and integrated monitoring of biological and physical variables,
- data processing and synthesis,
- performing environmental assessments and conservation planning to inform and drive management and policy,
- undertaking risk assessment and remediation of contaminated sites,
- ensuring sustainable and well managed Southern Ocean fisheries and understanding krill as the foundation of the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
The Southern Ocean Ecosystems Programme conducts research and development of innovative techniques towards ensuring sustainable and well managed Southern Ocean fisheries and understanding krill as the foundation of the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
**The Job**
- Support the calibration and operation of acoustic instruments to collect acoustic and other ancillary data on marine science voyages.
- Support post-voyage data management and processing of active acoustics data.
- Assist in conducting laboratory and aquarium experiments both on research vessels and at land-based facilities.
- Assist with the preparation of research papers and other project work as required.
- Undertaking marine science voyages of up to ninety days in duration in two of every three years.
**What we are looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**
- A demonstrated track record of fostering collaboration towards effective science outcomes, and contributing to a positive and inclusive team culture.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver a safe and equitable workplace.
- Demonstrated ability to acquire skills in the operation and calibration of complex scientific instrumentation, in particularly fisheries and scientific echosounders and sonars. (Desirable)
- Knowledge of physical and/or biological oceanography. (Desirable)
**Skills and capabilities**
- Demonstrated ability for undertaking and supporting operation of ship-based active acoustic instruments.
- Laboratory and workshop laboratory skills relevant to bio-acoustic experimentation and testing.
- Quantitative and analytical skills for data interpretation, together with demonstrated experience in the use of relevant software.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as p