Jobs and Careers

• Provide senior scientific leadership in managing seafood safety risks from harmful algal blooms
• Lead high-impact research at the interface of seafood safety, regulation, and public health
• Full time, ongoing role based in Hobart

About the opportunity

This is a senior, research-intensive position within the Healthy Seafood Program under the Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration Agreement (SMRCA) at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). The role provides scientific leadership in understanding, anticipating, and managing risks posed by harmful algae to seafood production, public health, and consumer confidence. The successful applicant will have a PhD and demonstrated expertise in seafood safety, including experience working at the interface of science, regulation, and public health response. They will lead the design and delivery of high-quality field, laboratory, and aquaculture-based studies that directly address priority seafood safety hazards, with a particular focus on harmful algal blooms and marine biotoxins.

What you’ll do:

• Make a strong and sustained contribution to the University in achieving its strategic objectives and fulfilling its operational responsibilities.  
• Undertake high-quality research of national and increasingly of international standing, secure external competitive and other funding, publish research findings and successfully supervise research higher degree students to completion. 
• Undertake scholarly undergraduate and postgraduate coursework teaching/supervision of an exemplary quality. 
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of productive and effective links locally and nationally with the discipline, industry and government.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the supervisor. 

What we’re looking for:

• A PhD or equivalent in a relevant field. 
• A record of good contributions to successful research higher degree supervision and completions. 
• Experience and demonstrated achievement in University and industry-level teaching and learning.  
• Skills in bulk culturing of toxic phytoplankton, running large scale aquaculture experiments, conducting field surveys and the development and validation of rapid test methods for assessing toxicity.
• Understanding of food safety regulations and trade access requirements.

Salary details

Appointment to this role will be at Academic Level C and will have a total remuneration package of up to $184,076 comprising base salary within the range of $138,536 to $157,330 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 Megan Ketchell, Executive Assistant & Project Administrator, EMAIL@utas.edu.au or Megan.Ketchell@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 - 502130 - Senior Research Fellow in Harmful Algae, Biotoxins and Seafood Safety.pdf

Applications close Wednesday, 4 February 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.