Research Fellow (Soil Faunal Ecology)

Job no: 0057143
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time; Fixed-term 
Faculty: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
Department/School: School of Agriculture and Food
Salary: Level A – $77,171 – $104,717 p.a. plus 17% super

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

About the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences is a leader in agricultural, food and veterinary science education and research in Australia.

The faculty comprises the Melbourne Veterinary School and the School of Agriculture and Food. The faculty operates across three campuses: Parkville, Werribee and Dookie. In addition to education and research, the faculty operates a veterinary hospital at Werribee, a broadacre farm at Dookie, and an equine hospital in Shepparton.

About the Role
The Research Fellow (Soil Faunal Ecology) will play a key role in the Soil Science Challenge Project (Soil fauna and their roles in nutrient transformations of agricultural soils) and collaborate with other project investigators across this multi-disciplinary project.

The position requires excellent research management and interdisciplinary background in soil science, soil microbiomes, and soil ecology. The research fellow will have excellent interpersonal skills to support collaboration across disciplines and with industry partners and external stakeholders. The Research Fellow will also play an active role in mentoring and developing the skills of graduate researchers.

This position will primarily be located at the University of Melbourne’s Parkville Campus and may be required to attend other sites and campuses.

Working closely with the chief investigators of the Soil Science Challenges Project, this role will:

• Manage the day-to-day running and reports of the project
• Coordinate the field operation and sampling of the project
• Carry out detailed research on at least one group of soil fauna

About You
You will have the ability to engage with relevant academic and industry bodies and stakeholders to foster collaborative partnerships. You will possess an excellent ability to work co-operatively and positively in a multi-disciplinary research-based team environment and liaise with people from diverse backgrounds. You will have well-developed interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders including industry partners and collaborators, in a diverse environment.

You will also have:

• A relevant PhD degree or equivalent professional experience in a research field related to soil science, ecology, microbiology, or agricultural science
• Demonstrated experience in managing research projects and coordinating research activities
• Proven ability to undertake research under limited supervision and delivering against research objectives
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in soil/agricultural field work, for example in managing field trials and collecting soil and plant samples
• Demonstrated aptitude for research to meet milestones and timely delivery research outcomes

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check.

About the University
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

Benefits of Working with Us
In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club
• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families

To find out more, visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits .

Be Yourself
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please submit your application including a brief cover letter, your resume and your responses against the selection criteria^ (found in the Position Description) for the role.

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact  us at hr-talent@unimelb.edu.au .

Position Description