Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Restoring Resilient Groundcover

• Full-time, 3-Year Fixed-Term position at Academic Level A.
• Hawkesbury Campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: $98,611 – $119,137 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Design field and glasshouse trials to restore drought-resilient groundcover across grassy woodlands and support partner uptake.

The Opportunity
In this role, you will contribute to the project ‘Drought Resilient Innovation – Seeding Economic and Ecological Diversity’, which aims to strengthen the diversity and functional resilience of native groundcover in grassy woodlands.

You will design and deliver glasshouse and field-based trials that test restoration interventions, including site preparation, soil amendments, planting approaches and drought manipulations. Working with investigators and partner organisations, you will also support multi-site restoration trials across the NSW western slopes.

You will analyse ecological data, monitor biodiversity outcomes and co-benefits, and communicate findings through scientific publications, technical reports, presentations and stakeholder-facing research products. You will translate evidence into practical restoration guidance and may contribute to the supervision and mentoring of Higher Degree Research students.

What Success Looks Like:

• Deliver rigorous glasshouse and field trials that test current and novel restoration interventions.
• Implement multi-site restoration trials effectively with project collaborators.
• Analyse and interpret data for peer-reviewed publications, reports and presentations.
• Translate research findings into practical guidance for government, industry and land-management partners.
• Maintain rigorous research, data management, ethics and work health and safety practices.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• A PhD, or progress towards formal completion of PhD thesis examination, in ecological restoration, soil ecology or a relevant field.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of plant and soil ecology in grassy woodlands.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing and managing glasshouse or field-based restoration trials.
• Experience assessing aboveground and belowground restoration outcomes and undertaking climate-change manipulations.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, with the ability to publish research and deliver outcomes with multiple collaborators.

Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Professor Uffe Nielsen, Professor in Soil Invertebrate Ecology via U.Nielsen@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1974T.
  Closing Date: 11:59pm, Monday 23 November 2026.
  Working Rights: Employer Visa sponsorship will be provided if required.
  How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.