Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

• Professor And Research Director
• Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor Plant Molecular Biology
• Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor Ecosystem/Earth System Modelling
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ecology & Biodiversity

In just two years, the Hawkesbury Institute has grown to over fifty researchers and staff, a phenomenal growth rate that reflects our goals of attracting the best researchers in fields of plant and soil physiology, ecosystems and ecophysiology and related disciplines.

We are looking to recruit the following positions. Please find out more about positions at UWS Careers(opens in a new window).

Professor and Research Director 

The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment is looking to appoint a leading researcher to expand our research team and fill the position of Director of Research. The focus of the Institute is on the impacts of global change on managed and natural terrestrial ecosystems (www.uws.edu/hie). The expectation is that the appointee will hold a professorial level position within one of the three themes of the Institute - Soil Biology & Genomics; Plants, Animals & Interactions; and Ecosystem Function & Integration. The Institute holds particular research strengths in ecology, ecophysiology, plant biology and soil science.

The role of the Director of Research is to implement the strategic research directions of the Institute and to identify the next research challenges and funding opportunities. This will be done in conjunction with the Institute Director and the three Research theme leaders, who are responsible for strategic research planning.  The Director of Research will be supported by a Research Development Advisor, as well as the Institute’s management team.

We envisage that the Director of Research will have significant time available to maintain an active and vibrant research program in their area of expertise.

The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment is based on the Hawkesbury campus of the University of Western Sydney. The campus is situated at the foot of the Blue Mountains, a World Heritage Site consisting of numerous national parks and conservation reserves, and close to the city of Sydney, Australia.

Download the information flier PDF, 1898.09 KB or apply for this position online(opens in a new window). Applications close 31 August 2013.

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Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor Plant Molecular Biology

The Institute is seeking to appoint an innovative and energetic researcher with expertise in plant molecular biology to complement the Institute’s existing strengths in plant biochemistry, ecophysiology and ecosystem ecology.

Ideally, the successful applicant will have an interest in understanding the nature and expression of genes involved in important functional and adaptive traits of plants that equip them to survive and prosper in changing environments.

Applicants should have a strong research background with a record of publications in refereed international journals and a track record of success in research funding applications.

The successful applicant will be expected to develop and conduct an independent research program in the area of plant molecular genetics, produce high quality outcomes from this research and contribute to the Institute’s research training and management.

While the position is mainly focused on research, the successful applicant is expected to contribute to teaching in their area of expertise within the UWS School of Science and Health, as well as engage with the community and more broadly contribute to the profession.

Download the information flier PDF, 1885.29 KB (opens in a new window).  Applications open shortly.

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Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor Ecosystem/Earth System Modelling

The Institute is seeking to appoint an energetic researcher with modelling expertise ranging from terrestrial ecosystems to Earth system modelling to complement our existing strengths in ecosystems ecology and climate change research.

The successful applicant’s research will ideally be focused on synthesising and integrating data across a variety of spatial and temporal scales using models based on ecological first principles. The modelling approach could incorporate a range of integrative tools, including remote sensing, coupled climate-vegetation models, data assimilation and ecological forecasting at scales ranging from ecosystem to landscape to the globe.

Expertise might include (but is not limited to) process-based stand models, terrestrial biogeochemistry models, hydrology and land surface modelling. Applicants should have a strong research background and record of publications in refereed international journals.

The appointee will be expected to develop and conduct an independent research program in the area of terrestrial ecosystem modelling and produce high quality outcomes from this research and contribute to the Institute’s research training and management.

While the position is mainly focused on research, the successful applicant is expected to contribute to teaching in their area of expertise within the UWS School of Science and Health, as well as engage with the community and contribute more broadly to the profession.

Download the information flier PDF, 1926.4 KB(opens in a new window). Applications open shortly.

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ecology & Biodiversity

2 Year Fixed Term Appointment

The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment is dedicated to answering crucial questions about impacts of environmental change on terrestrial ecosystems. The Institute offers comprehensive field and laboratory based facilities and is based on the Hawkesbury campus of the University of Western Sydney at the foot of Blue Mountains, a World Heritage Site consisting of numerous national parks and conservation reserves, and close to the city of Sydney.

The Institute is seeking to appoint an active, dynamic individual to the position Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ecology & Biodiversity with research expertise in plant and/or insect ecology.

The candidate will conduct research on biodiversity and carbon stocks in golf course habitats across the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment area and relate these to known drivers of variation, such as habitat type, management intensity, climate and soil type. This information will be used to identify sites that can make a valuable contribution to local biodiversity conservation, and practices that enhance above- and belowground carbon stocks within golf course sites.

Closing Date : 19 August 2013

Apply for this position online (opens in a new window)