Job Description
About This Opportunity
Join a visionary and collaborative multidisciplinary team of ecologists, modellers, programmers and conservation practitioners working to protect coral reefs from water pollution.
Based at UQ's St Lucia campus, you will contribute to the development of a global, user‐friendly, open‐source and dynamic pollution mapping and risk assessment tool.
Your research will help coral reef managers and restoration practitioners understand pollution risks, reduce pollution pressures and translate complex environmental data into practical conservation action.
Key responsibilities include, but not limited to:
Research: Apply advanced spatial analysis techniques to process, interpret and visualise large environmental datasets, and develop pollution-loading models that predict pollution loads reaching the ocean and its implications for coral reef health.
Research translation and collaboration: Work closely with conservation organisations, project partners and research end users to develop an accessible decision‐support tool and ensure research outputs respond to real‐world coral reef management and restoration needs.
Data management and communication: Manage large datasets, integrate outputs from spatial analysis and modelling into effective knowledge products, and communicate findings through publications, conferences, presentations and materials for technical and non‐technical audiences.
Supervision, researcher development, citizenship and service: Mentor graduate students and junior researchers, contribute to funding proposals, coordinate activities with project partners and actively support an inclusive, purposeful and collaborative research culture.
This is a research focused position.
Further information can be found by viewing UQ's Criteria for Academic Performance.
This is a full‐time, fixed‐term position for 13 months at Academic LevelA.
About You
A PhD in marine science, environmental science, geospatial science, engineering or a closely related discipline.
Demonstrated experience using GIS and spatial analysis software, such as ArcGIS, QGIS or ENVI, and programming tools such as R or Python.
Demonstrated experience in environmental modelling, particularly in relation to water pollution and coral reef or coastal ecosystems.
Strong capability in big data management, data analysis, data visualisation and programming.




Demonstrated experience developing decision‐support tools for watershed, coastal or environmental management.
Strong familiarity with nutrient pollution, water quality, marine pollution, ecosystem health, environmental indicators, pollution‐monitoring frameworks and relevant biophysical datasets.
Demonstrated ability to undertake literature reviews, synthesise scientific and technical information, and communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non‐technical audiences.
The ability to work inclusively and effectively within interdisciplinary teams and engage constructively with conservation partners, stakeholders and research end users.
Experience in project management and stakeholder engagement will be highly regarded.
Pre‐employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualifications.
This may also include checks relating to gender‐based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.
You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply.
Employer‐sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.
We're dedicated to equity, diversity and inclusion.
We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity.
We're also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process.
Applications close Monday28September at*****pmAEST (R‐*****).
The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ is situated.
We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country.
At the University of Queensland, we are proud to be one of Australia's leading research and teaching institutions, consistently ranking among the top50 universities worldwide.
As a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities,



UQ is widely recognised for its intensive focus on research and teaching excellence – evidenced by our numerous accolades including more teaching awards than any other Australian University and reflected in UQ being the number one recipient of ARC Fellowships and Awards nationally across all scheme years (totalling £452 awards worth $339 million).
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Our comprehensive career services provide personalised guidance, skills development, and networking opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals.
Whether you are a student seeking internships and job placements or a staff member looking for career advancement, UQ is here to support you every step of the way.
UQ values equity, diversity and inclusion and seeks to reflect the broader community by attracting and retaining high‐quality staff from a range of backgrounds.
Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion aims to ensure that everyone at UQ feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential.
We are particularly interested to hear from people who bring diversity to UQ – whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability.
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Explore our current job openings, discover our programs, and become part of a community that is dedicated to creating lasting, meaningful impact for the communities in which we live and work.
For more information about working at UQ and our employee benefits (such as generous leave provisions, 17% superannuation, flexible working arrangements, and health and wellness discounts) please visit Why Work at UQ.
generous leave provisions
17% superannuation
flexible working arrangements
health and wellness discounts

📌 Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Water Pollution (Queensland)
🏢 The University of Queensland
📍 Queensland