Postdoctoral Research Associate in BioacousticsSchool of Environmental and Rural Science
Fixed-term to 13 March 2026, full-time (part-time may be considered). Current UNE Staff: In taking up this appointment, please be aware your current fixed term or permanent role will cease the day prior to you taking this position
$104,596 to $123,964 per annum (Level B)
Plus 17% employer superannuation
Salary packaging options are available
4 weeks annual leave plus Christmas week shutdown, per annum
Available for remote, flexible, work from home or hybrid
Applicants must have appropriate Australian work rights for the duration of this position (UNE will not provide sponsorship for this position)
The University of New England (UNE) is a regionally based, globally networked university renowned for the quality of its student experience and the excellence of its research specialisations. In addition, UNE pioneered teaching to external students making it the most experienced provider of distance and innovative online education.UNE emphasises its people, staff and students' growth and development. We aspire to be a leader in innovation and change and a centre for the Armidale and the North-West communities.Equity, diversity and inclusion are central to the core values of UNE and we are committed to engaging, supporting and growing a richly diverse workforce. From the Oorala Aboriginal Centre at the heart of our campus, to the inclusive organisations such as the UNE Ally Network, the UNE Women's Society, and the many international cultural groups - all will feel valued and respected at UNE.You will embody the UNE values and strive to be Open, Enquiring, Exceptional and Making a Difference. Additionally, you will be committed to achieving the goals embedded in the Future Fit Strategic Plan Future Fit 2021-2030: Personalised Learning Journeys, Empowering Communities, and Building Resilience.About the roleThe Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Bioacoustics will be working on a strategic project related to the development of automated acoustic recognisers or templates. The role involves developing and fine-tuning Python and C++ code to reliably detect the presence of specific avian vocalisations in previously collected sound files. The position will operate as part of a wider team working on collecting, annotating, and developing recogniser data, but will have primary responsibility for developing and refining the acoustic recognisers. Other team members will assist this process by providing the position with labelled audio data for analysis, and in assessing recogniser performance as consecutive iterations are trialled. To perform this role, the position will utilise existing established methods that have been demonstrated to be effective and, as part of a multi-institutional and multidisciplinary team, be expected to provide a proactive and collaborative approach to the research, communicating effectively with all team members as well as direct supervisors.About youTo be successful in this role, you will have:
Experience in bioacoustics analyses and related areas of ornithology and animal behaviour, including a PhD in one of these fields
Experience in the use of Python and/or C++ coding for machine-learning tasks
A collaborative approach to research and enjoy working in a team environment
Good communication skills developed for liaising with a range of different stakeholders from researchers to the general public
About the SchoolThe School of Environmental and Rural Science (ERS) is an active and dynamic school of professional and academic staff that work in the disciplines of agronomy, environmental science, ecology, genetics, geology, rural science, soil science, and zoology. We are a leading provider of both on-campus and online or distance education in agriculture and environmental science, offering flexible learning options for students throughout the year. Further information can be found on the School of Environmental and Rural Science website. UNE has long maintained a strength in Agriculture and Animal Science, an area that attracts considerable industry funding, and for which there remains a strong need.About ArmidaleArmidale is an attractive and vibrant city that combines all the features of a bustling regional town centre with the tranquility of rural living. It boasts gourmet restaurants and cafes, boutique shopping, quality schools and sporting facilities. Surrounded by mountain gorges, waterfalls and national parks, Armidale's natural beauty and distinct seasons make it an ideal place to live and thrive. To find out more, visitEnquiries and additional informationTo discuss this role please contact Prof. Paul McDonald, phone: 0410 679 022, email: paul.mcdonald@une.edu.auClosing Date: 11:59pm, Monday 10 June 2024Reference No: 224069For further information about this position, please see the Position Statement below.To ApplyPlease submit the following documents by clicking the Apply Now button below:Your application should be comprised of:i. Covering letter;ii. Responses to selection criteria;iii. Current CV;iv. Certified qualifications cited in your application for this position.About Our ProcessAt UNE, we are committed to employing individuals who meet the requirements of this role and align with our values. All applicants will be contacted and advised of an outcome. The successful candidate will be required to undertake pre-employment checks prior to commencing in this role as indicated in the position statement. Please visit our to understand how your information is collected, stored, accessed and used.National Police CheckIf you are the successful candidate for this role you will be required to provide UNE with a prior to your commencement. Please note that people with criminal records are NOT automatically barred from applying for this position (unless there is a particular requirement under law).
