Jobs and Careers

• Lead marine movement ecology research shaping climate, conservation and blue economy outcomes
• Advance ecosystem health science through animal tracking, spatial analytics and collaborative marine research
• Full time, ongoing role based in Hobart

About the opportunity

The Lecturer in Marine Spatial Ecologist will join the Centre for Ecology and Biodiversity at IMAS, leading a cross-cutting program that uses marine mammals, seabirds and fish as sentinels of ecosystem health, working within UTAS’s place-based, “One Health” and regenerative systems mission. The role leads quantitative analyses of animal movement (e.g. tracking and telemetry data) to integrate this information within the broader spatial contexts of environmental and oceanographic change, genetics and disease ecology, and global connectivity to inform climate-risk, blue economy and conservation decisions for Tasmania, Australia and the Southern Ocean. The appointee will have a strong research track record, experience in field-based animal movement ecology, demonstrated teaching and HDR supervision capability, and excellent collaborative and communication skills with partners including government, industry and indigenous communities. With a balanced academic profile, they will independently lead research and grants, coordinate a Masters unit, supervise higher-degree students (MSc and PhD), contribute to Centre governance and help position IMAS as a national leader in movement-based ecosystem health science.

What you’ll do:

• Make an effective and sustained contribution to the University in achieving its strategic objectives and fulfilling its operational responsibilities.
• Undertake high-quality research of national and increasingly international standing, secure external competitive and other funding, publish research findings and contribute to the successful supervision of research higher degree students.
• Undertake scholarly undergraduate or postgraduate coursework teaching of a high quality.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of productive and effective links inside the University and locally and nationally with the discipline, relevant interdisciplinary domains, profession, industry and/or wider community
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the supervisor.­

What we’re looking for:

• A PhD or equivalent in a relevant field such as Marine Ecology, Marine Science or Spatial Analysis.
• Expertise in animal movement and spatial ecology, animal tracking and telemetry applied to marine mammals and/or seabirds.
• Strong quantitative skills in spatial ecology, movement ecology, ecological data analysis, and potentially epidemiological modelling.
• Demonstrated experience with advanced analytical methods such as state-space modelling, habitat-use and step-selection functions, spatial and time-series modelling, behavioural analyses, disease-risk and transmission modelling, and linking species distributions, movements or disease dynamics to environmental and ecological drivers, with capacity to incorporate machine learning and AI-based approaches where appropriate.
• Demonstrated expertise or willingness to be trained in practical deployment of animal tagging devices, including ethical animal handling skills.

Salary details

Appointment to this role will be at Academic Level B and will have a total remuneration package of up to $155,885 comprising base salary within the range of $114,766 to $133,235 plus 17% superannuation.

How to Apply

• To apply online, please provide the following supporting documentation:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role
  • Your responses to the success criteria from the Position Description below
• For further information about this position, please contact Vanessa Lucieer, Centre Head, Ecology and Biodiversity/Professor/Interim Co-Executive Director, Vanessa.Lucieer@utas.edu.au
• Please visit https://www.utas.edu.au/jobs/applying for our guide to applying and details on the recruitment process.
• For current UTAS staff, in submitting your application, you acknowledge you have/intend to discuss your interest in this vacancy with your current manager and understand they may need to be contacted confidentially by the hiring manager as part of the assessment of your application.
• Please refer to the attached Position Description Below for full details.

 Position Description - 503211 - Lecturer in Marine Spatial Ecology.pdf

Applications close Sunday, 14 June 2026, 11.55pm 

The University of Tasmania acknowledges the Palawa/Pakana and Gadigal/Wangal people as the traditional custodians of the land, sea and waters of the areas upon which we live and work. We recognise their valuable contributions and deep connection to country and pay respect to Elders past and present. 

As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive workplace, employment history and police checks may be conducted as part of the selection process.

To be eligible for this position, you are required to hold Australian or New Zealand Citizenship, permanent residency or a valid visa that enables you to fulfil the requirements of this role.