Principal Research Data Analyst

Job Description

• School of the Environment
• Highly innovative and dynamic/collaborative team of experts: from state-of-the-art monitoring station to innovative data analysis and visualization
• Be part of a $4.2 Million dollar monitoring and evaluation program that is committed to ensuring the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef
• Excellent engagement with regional groups, industry, landholders – contributing to make a difference on the ground
• Co-located at our vibrant St Lucia Campus and the Eco sciences Precinct, Dutton Park

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
• 17% superannuation contributions
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight
• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
• On campus childcare options
• Cheap parking (from just $5 a day)
• Salary packaging options

About This Opportunity 

The Reef Catchments Science Partnership (RCSP) is a collaboration between the University of Queensland and the Queensland Department of Environment and Science. The Partnership focusses on conducting research that will provide scientifically robust and defensible science tools, systems and frameworks to enhance the Queensland Government’s environmental compliance, monitoring and evaluation capabilities associated with the Reef Protection Regulations and the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan.

For more information about the project, please click HERE for the appointment booklet

The Principal Research Data Analyst & the Principal Research Data Analyst (Real Time) work as part of a senior research team to provide high-level, specialist technical research expertise to scientific research projects, programs and initiatives within the RCSP. This role involves undertaking quality assurance and quality control work on the water quality monitoring data for the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Loads Monitoring Program (GBRCLMP), as well as on-going collaboration with staff and students between the RCSP and Water Quality and Investigations in the Department of Environment and Science (WQI-DES). There is no direct supervision of staff at this stage but the positions will require the overview and coordination of regional stakeholders involved with water quality monitoring. The GBRCLMP is jointly delivered by a consortium of organisations that includes, but is not limited to, the RCSP, WQI-DES and James Cook University (JCU).

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Provides technical expertise to maximise research outcomes of quality assurance and quality control on traditional or real-time water quality monitoring data for the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Loads Monitoring Program, RP232 and associated programs,
• Undertakes specialist aspects of research in accordance with scientific research methodology involving traditional or real-time water quality monitoring,
• Performs fieldwork in support of GBRCLMP activities as negotiated and requested by WQI-DES.
• Leads the development of a proactive safety culture and implement continuous improvement.
• Participates in technical leadership of meetings and events, and participates in discussions and initiatives on technical support and innovation that advocate advancement of RCSP objectives,
• Contributes to and coordinates research outputs, joint preparation and authorship of reports, manuscripts and presentations where appropriate,
• Assists scientific method development, validation and sample analysis studies,
• Contributes to research quality assurance, control and improvement activities, in collaboration with senior research staff and stakeholders,
• Ensures a high standard of occupational health and safety standards and systems, including inductions, supervision, equipment training registers, administration of research facilities, inventories, reporting and investigating injuries, incidents and hazards.
• Contributes to the application of R code and/or Python code data analysis to water quality monitoring data and specifically traditional or real-time water quality monitoring data.
• Have a current Australian C class Driver’s Licence which is requirement of the position to assist in regional travel and monitoring requirements

There are up 2 x full-time fixed-term positions through to 30th June 2026 with possible  extension dependent on funding.

At HEW level 7, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $93,254.55 – $101,680.96, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $109,107.82 – $118,966.72 annually. As this role is covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases – at least once a year.

About You  

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Principal Research Data Analysts (Real-Time) and Principal Research Data Analyst to support the research outcomes within the Reef Catchments Science Partnership programs. The successful candidate will have significant experience and expertise in traditional or real-time water quality monitoring and evaluation.

• Completion of a post graduate qualifications in Science or Bachelor of Science with at least five years subsequent experience in traditional or real-time water quality monitoring and/or data analysis or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training,
• Demonstrated research-relevant knowledge and skills with expertise in a wide range of specialist and general research techniques at all stages of the research cycle,
• Expertise in the application of quality assurance and quality control on traditional or real-time water quality monitoring data,
• Advanced knowledge of catchment and water quality monitoring and evaluation,
• Leadership skills, including the ability to supervise and develop more junior staff,
• Significant experience of working in dynamic team environments and across multiple agencies,
• Advanced technical capabilities in traditional or real time water quality monitoring equipment,
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to produce clear, succinct research documentation and the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of research and scientific staff within the Reef Catchments Science Partnership, James Cook University and the Department of Environment and Science,
• A commitment to upholding the highest standard of research integrity, ethics and workplace health and safety.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. 
• Background Checks: All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits. 

 
Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Ryan Turner at ryan.turner@uq.edu.au

 For application queries, please contact recruitment@uq.edu.au stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 
 

Want to Apply? 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter addressing Selection Criteria (3 pages maximum); and
• Resume  (maximum 10 pages).

Other Information 

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion.  We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to recruitment@uq.edu.au 

Applications close Friday 17th November 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number – R-31585). Please note that interviews will be tentatively scheduled for the week beginning 20th November 2023.