Classification: ANU Officer 5/6 (Research)
Salary package: $83,351 - $97,929 per annum plus 17% superannuation (pro-rata)
Terms: Part time (0.5 FTE, 17.5 hours per week), Fixed term (until 31 December 2027)

Position Description and Selection Criteria: PD&PEWER_ANUO56 Research Officer_CSS.pdf

Position Overview

This position is a fixed term appointment for a period of 2.5 years to contribute to the Management of Rivers Discharging into Ocean Realms (MORDOR) program focuses on land-based pollutants, runoff and their impacts in the Indian Ocean. Water quality has declined globally across freshwater and marine ecosystems. Multiple anthropogenic pollutants have resulted in significant declines in ecosystem health with complex social and ecological problems. Pollutants include sediments, salt, nutrients, anthropogenic chemicals and plastic waste. River catchments, freshwater ecosystems are connected to the ocean and there is a clear need to consider these systems collectively.

The Research Officer works as part of Prof. Jamie Pittock’s project research team with Dr Matt Colloff and a PhD scholar to undertake key freshwater biodiversity, climate and hydrological research. They will also organise meetings, draft submissions and prepare reports to key government and other stakeholder organisations, and the project funders (the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and the ).The Research Officer will help with cutting edge research into identifying and managing pollutants flowing from rivers to catalyse conservation actions for the Indian Ocean, including:

• Working with experts and governments from countries around the Indian Ocean;
• Assembling data on pollutants and assessing options for priority actions to reduce pollution;
• Organising workshops in the region to discuss the results with researchers and decision makers;
• Meeting with governmental decision makers to assist them to decide on response measures;
• Communicating research findings and academic literature and publicly.

Applications are particularly invited from researchers who undertake high impact collaborative and cross-disciplinary research, and whose interests and expertise can contribute to the Australian National University

Longer term and/or ongoing appointment may be offered in exceptional cases subject to performance and budget availability as well the candidate’s demonstrated capability and desire to complement the College’s strategic agendas in teaching, research and broader engagement within the University and community.

About the College

The ANU by 2025 Strategic Plan calls for the University to serve society through transformational research and education. As one of the great universities of the world, ANU is driven by a culture of excellence in everything we do. Our lived experience is increasingly one of large-scale systems of people, whose actions and interactions are influenced by our digital, physical and biological environment. The ANU College of Systems and Society (CSS) hosts three of the key disciplines necessary to help us design, build, regulate and secure the future.

We welcome and openly acknowledge differences in expertise, research / education / professional focus, experience and perspective.

CSS is a vibrant and diverse community of more than three thousand students, staff, and visitors. Our College is comprised of the School of Computing, School of Cybernetics, School of Engineering, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Mathematical Sciences Institute, and the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, supported by the Professional Services Group.

The Fenner School of Environment & Society is a world-leading centre for cross-disciplinary environmental and sustainability research, education and policy-relevant advice. Through cutting-edge research and insightful analysis, our academic experts create social, economic and environmental impact and deliver real-world solutions to address complex environmental challenges. Our mission is to encourage sound environmental policy and governance outcomes that support sustainability. The Fenner School is nationally and internationally recognised for its excellence in research and education. ANU is ranked 7th worldwide and 1st in Australia for geography, 5th and 1st for development studies, 34th and 3rd for environmental sciences, and 39th and 2nd for agriculture and forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).

This project is also undertaken in collaboration with the Research School of Biology in the College of Science.

To enquire about this role, please contact Professor Jamie Pittock, via 0407 265 131 or at [email protected]

ANU is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, and particularly welcomes applications from women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, it is practice in the ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics to actively seek a gender mix of shortlisted candidates for interview. For more information about staff equity at ANU, visit https://services.anu.edu.au/human-resources/respect-inclusion

We welcome and develop diversity of backgrounds, experiences and ideas and encourage applications from individuals who may have had non-traditional career paths, who may have taken a career break, had career disruptions or who have achieved excellence in careers outside of the higher education sector. We support applicants who require flexible arrangements in their work environments or patterns. If your experience looks a little different to what we’ve described, but you’re passionate and motivated by this position, we welcome your enquiry and application.

Application Information

Applicants must apply online via the ANU recruitment portal and should upload the following separate documents:

• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) including a full publication list and the names and contact details of at least three referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor). If your CV does not include referees, you can complete these online when prompted in the application form.
• A one page statement addressing the selection criteria.

Please note: The successful candidate must have rights to live and work in this country and will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 6 July 2025 11.55pm (Canberra time)