Research Associate – Data Scientist in Ecosystem Science
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Work type: Full Time.
Categories: Post Doctoral Research Associate.
This role is based in Australia.
The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of New South Wales is a large, collaborative multidisciplinary school within the Faculty of Science. In 2025, the school secured $22 million in research funding, produced over 800 scientific publications, and is frequently rated among the top schools across UNSW in student experience surveys.
The role focuses on research at the interface between ecological sciences and environmental data science and involves developing reproducible workflows for ecosystem‐specific and fit‐for‐purpose indicators. The Research Associate will contribute to the ARDC‐funded Ecosystem Indicators Workflows project, collaborating with a core team led by the UNSW Centre for Ecosystem Science and with partners across UNSW and external stakeholders.
About the Role
* Level A ($113 k – $121 k) plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
* Fixed Term – 18 months (to 31 December 2027)
* Full‐time (35 hours per week)
Specific Responsibilities
* Contribute independently or as a team member in collaborative research to enhance the quality of research outcomes.
* Enable research teams to produce scholarly output recognised by peers.
* Develop ecosystem‐specific indicator workflows under guidance of a research leader, contributing to related research activities.
* Apply ecological and data‐science expertise to workflow design and testing.
* Support data transformation, harmonisation, and metadata development.
* Collaborate with research software engineers on implementation of software tools and other reproducible research solutions, including requirement gathering and user testing.
* Contribute to documentation, elaboration of case studies and example applications.
* Collaborate with the community and engagement team to support training activities, community events, and dissemination of research outcomes through appropriate channels.
* Undertake discipline‐appropriate research activities such as surveys, literature reviews, data gathering and recording of results using appropriate methods.
* Participate in or present at conferences and workshops relevant to the project as required; assist with the supervision of research students where needed.
* Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
* Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to avoid impacting the safety of yourself or others.
Successful Applicant Profile
* A PhD in ecology, environmental science, conservation science or a relevant tertiary qualification (Masters or Honours in data science or a similar discipline) combined with relevant industry or research experience.
* Knowledge and experience in computer science and coding.
* Proven skills in mathematics and statistics.
* Proven commitment to keeping up to date with domain and technical developments.
* Demonstrated track record of research outputs (publications, conference presentations, datasets, software, etc.) relative to the opportunity.
* Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
* Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills.
* Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with a diverse range of stakeholders and students.
* Understanding of and commitment to UNSW's aims, objectives and values in practice, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
* Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant training.
UNSW aspires to be the exemplar Australian university and employer of choice for people from diverse backgrounds. UNSW aims to ensure equality in recruitment, development, retention and promotion of staff and that no one is disadvantaged on the basis of gender, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or identity or Indigenous heritage. We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria to apply.
UNSW partners with Australia's leading diversity organisations, networks and campaigns. Please refer to UNSW's diversity offerings for further information on our flexible work and leave options, and support for carers (childcare, parent rooms, parental leave).
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