Current Positions

Positions available in the McGeoch Research Group

Centre for Future Landscapes, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia

If you are interested in any of the positions below please write to me at: Melodie McGeoch – M.McGeoch@LaTrobe.edu.au

Please note that all positions are subject to it being possible to arrange suitable employment arrangements under Covid-19 conditions.

Positions available now:

Postdoctoral Fellow – Modelling the role of common species in biodiversity change
Research Assistant – Environmental Data Analysis
PhD – A sustainable monitoring system for invasive alien species in Australia

Positions coming up: The following positions will be advertised in early 2021 – early expressions of interest are welcome.

Postdoctoral Fellow – Measurement and Modelling of Antarctic Biodiversity
Research Assistant – Biodiversity Informatics
PhD – Impacts of climate change on the conservation status of Antarctic plant species

1. Postdoctoral Fellow – Modelling the role of common species in biodiversity change

We seek a biodiversity scientist to lead research on the contribution of common species to biodiversity change and function. The research involves combining modelling and empirical approaches to quantify the nature and causes of the dynamics (increases and declines) of common species in communities, and the outcomes thereof for function.

Suitable candidates for this Postdoctoral Fellowship will have an ecological background and significant biodiversity modelling skills, and ideally with experience in biodiversity informatics.

This opportunity falls under a research programme led by Prof. McGeoch (melodiemcgeoch.com), in collaboration with Prof. Cang Hui (Stellenbosch University) and Prof. Walter Jetz (Yale University).

If you are interested in the position please write to me at: Melodie McGeoch – M.McGeoch@LaTrobe.edu.au

2. Research Assistant – Environmental Data Analysis

I am looking for a fixed-term, half-time research assistant whose primary responsibility will be data analytics and reporting, working predominantly with biodiversity data. Secondary responsibilities include general research group support, such as social media management, purchasing, logistics and organisation.

Suitable candidates will have skills and experience in data science to collate, synthesise and analyse biodiversity and environmental data and to build and manage environmental and biodiversity information systems. They will have a high level of analytical, statistical and programming skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills.

One or more of the following will be an advantage: familiarity with biodiversity data and biodiversity informatics, and the topics of invasive alien species and systematics, use of Python.

If you are interested in the position please write to me at: Melodie McGeoch – M.McGeoch@LaTrobe.edu.au

3. PhD – A sustainable monitoring system for invasive alien species in Australia

Principal supervisor: Melodie McGeoch

Status: This position is open to applicants

Start Date: 2020/2021

One of the key challenges with managing invasive alien species once they have arrived and established in a country, is monitoring their spread. The information obtained from monitoring is needed to quickly identify newly invaded localities so the weed or pest can be eradicated, or to identify priority areas that it is expanding into so that the invader can be contained. Australia does not yet have a nation-wide monitoring program for invasive alien species. This PhD research project will combine citizen science, data science and information on species distributions to develop a monitoring approach and indicators for tracking priority invaders in Australia.

Candidate requirements: The successful candidate will have majored in ecology, have a working knowledge of R and a background and interest in statistics/data analysis.

If you are interested in this position, please contact me at m.mcgeoch@latrobe.edu.au with:

A statement of your interest in the PhD project
A current curriculum vitae (CV)
Copies of academic record

4. Postdoctoral Fellow – Measurement and Modelling of Antarctic Biodiversity

Status: This position is expected to open for formal recruiting in early 2021. Expressions of interest are welcome prior to this.This position is associated with the Australian Research Council SRI – Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF – https://arcsaef.com/), and falls within Theme 2 of the Research Program – Biodiversity Status and Trends.

Candidate requirements: The successful candidate will have an excellent publication record, significant biodiversity modelling skills, ideally with experience in biodiversity informatics, and have an interest in the Antarctic.

If you are interested in the position please write to me at: Melodie McGeoch – M.McGeoch@LaTrobe.edu.au

5. Research Assistant – Biodiversity Informatics

Candidate requirements: The successful candidate will have significant data science expertise, the ability to synthesise and analyse biodiversity and environmental data and to build and manage environmental and biodiversity information systems, plus an interest in the Antarctic.

If you are interested in the position please write to me at: Melodie McGeoch – M.McGeoch@LaTrobe.edu.au

6. PhD – Impacts of climate change on the conservation status of Antarctic plant species

Status: This position is expected to open for formal recruiting in early 2021. Expressions of interest are welcome prior to this.This position is associated with the Australian Research Council SRI – Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF – https://arcsaef.com/), and falls within Theme 2 of the Research Program – Biodiversity Status and Trends.

Principal supervisor: Melodie McGeoch

Candidate requirements: The successful candidate will have majored in botany and ecology, have a working knowledge of R, and an interest in the Antarctic.

If you are interested in the position please write to me at: Melodie McGeoch – M.McGeoch@LaTrobe.edu.au