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At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

THIS ROLE IS LOCATED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) has over 148 academic staff and research staff, over 170 research students and 60 Honours students. BEES incorporates environmentally relevant disciplines enabling the School to undertake comprehensive education and research in the mainstream disciplines of biology, geography and geology. This also provides students the opportunity for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary studies.

The Research Associate (Level A) is expected to contribute towards the Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship project ‘Caves and their stalagmites: linking climate to groundwater recharge’ led by Professor Andy Baker (FL240100057). They will develop their research expertise through their contribution to a work package in collaboration with Adjunct Dr. Pauline Treble (ANSTO) that will ‘create high resolution stalagmite records of when recharge occurred over at least the past 500 years’.

The Research Associate will assist the project investigators in carrying out the research project and be responsible for coordinating and undertaking field and laboratory work and associated data collection, analysis and drafting of papers for publication. The work involves laboratory geochemical analyses to generate records of past groundwater recharge from stalagmite oxygen isotopes. The Research Associate will also be responsible for collaborating with work package collaborator Treble at ANSTO and other Laureate Fellowship project collaborators.

About the role

• Level A - $110k - $117k - plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 3 years
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

The role reports to Professor Andy Baker and has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Contribute both independently and as a team member in collaborative research with a focus to enhance the quality of research outcomes of the Laureate Fellowship project aims to create high resolution stalagmite records of when recharge occurred over at least the past 500 years.
• Undertake laboratory work and data analysis and interpretation associated with the geochemical analysis of stalagmites, with a focus on stable oxygen isotopes analysed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
• Maintain a strong focus on communicating research findings by publishing in highly ranked journals and presenting to peers at local, national and global conferences.
• Work collaboratively with other researchers among the Laureate fellowship team and ANSTO collaborators.
• Contribute independently or as a team member to the collegiate life of the Laureate Fellowship team such as assisting with the supervision of PhD and Honours students, committee memberships, participating in workshops, etc.
• 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 ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

About the successful applicant:
(Selection Criteria)

• A PhD (or soon to be awarded) in Earth Science or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in the geochemical analysis of stalagmites using isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
• Demonstrated programming skills (e.g. R, Python) or expertise in the use of data analysis packages (e.g. Origin, Igor Pro) to post-process and analyse stalagmite geochemical datasets.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out scientific research independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong research and publication track record (relative to opportunity) in an area listed in the position summary.
• Evidence of high level analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated experience in conducting fieldwork in caves.
• Demonstrated experience with interpretating cave monitoring data.
• Demonstrated experience in the following laboratory techniques for the geochemical analysis of stalagmites: LA-ICPMS and/or synchrotron XRF and/or SIMS.
• Demonstrated experience in the post-processing and analysis of large geochemical datasets such as: elemental time series; synchrotron elemental maps, annual lamina chronology, or other.
• Demonstrated experience in the construction and/or interpretation of stalagmite chronologies using U/Th and/or 14C and/or annual laminae.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact:
Andy Baker
E: a.baker@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: November 26^th, 2024

Find out more about working at UNSW at www.unsw.edu.au

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.