Manager, Research - Dna Based Fisheries Monitoring

About Us

Minderoo Foundation is a modern philanthropic organisation. We take on tough, persistent issues with the potential to drive massive change. We incubate ideas, advocate for systems change and accelerate impact. We push the limits of what is believed possible. Minderoo Foundation is independent, forward thinking and seeks effective, scalable solutions. We are proudly Australian, and one of Asia’s largest philanthropies. We have currently more than $2.6 billion dollars dedicated to supporting our philanthropy into the future and more than 300 employees located across the globe. Now more than ever, the world is increasingly fragile, uncertain, and unequal, and we believe this decade is a pivotal window for change. Through bold, collaborative and selfless action, we must dismantle the systems that entrench inequality and fight for a fairer future.

The Sustainable Fisheries Program works globally to reduce overfishing.  We develop global insights, invest in new technologies and approaches, and develop on-ground actions in support of this goal. The program delivers a range of initiatives, including partnering with on-ground organizations to deliver fisheries improvements and increase sustainability, building evidence and political momentum for regulatory reform domestically and internationally, and investing in innovative technologies and creating new information sources to improve fisheries sustainability. 

The OceanOmics Program aims to create a world-class integrated marine life monitoring platform to inform decision-making in ocean resource and ecosystem management. Deploying a range of advanced molecular and genomics techniques that will be adapted or developed to monitor the planet’s oceans using genetic material from a range of marine habitats. High-throughput genomic analyses and bioinformatics will be used to identify and protect threatened species and important ecosystems at unprecedented speed and scale.

About the Role

The Manager, Research will be responsible for line management of a team of 5 researchers and technical staff, along with project management involving staff across other programs in the Foundation and lead a multi-million dollar program with three components:

1. Demonstration of DNA based monitoring in fisheries
2. Development of new approaches for collection and analysis of DNA based monitoring data
3. Training and capacity building for fisheries agencies across the Indo-Pacific region.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with external national and international collaborators and stakeholders, including building collaborations, negotiating agreements, and overseeing contracts and project management.
• Overseeing the regional capacity development program, with support from Minderoo Foundation staff, to provide training and experience in DNA based monitoring to fisheries agencies across the Indo-Pacific region, in partnership with regional fisheries organizations.
• Managing and leading staff within the program, including a project engineer, a capacity building coordinator, and co-supervision of 2 Postdoctoral Fellows and 2 PhD students.
• Delivering high quality scientific outputs from the program, including publication of results in the scientific literature and presentations to scientific and government stakeholders.
• Coordinating of the infrastructural and operational development and management of the genomic component of the research portfolio of the Sustainable Fisheries program.
• Supporting the development of technological solutions that add value and impact to the Sustainable Fisheries & OceanOmics vision of eDNA-based solutions for marine ecosystem surveys.
• Identifying, establishing, and maintaining relationships with institutions for collaborations on genomics related R&D projects
• Leading the development, review, and execution of all collaboration agreements and any other related contracts with partnering scientists or institutions
• Oversight of experimental projects, including inputs on experimental design, data acquisition and interrogation.
• Planning and coordination of research expeditions.

About You

To be successful in this opportunity, we are looking for an individual with the following experience and qualifications:

• Postgraduate qualification in Biological Oceanography, Marine Biology, Fisheries, Genomics, Bioinformatics, or other field related to the role or equivalent experience (8 years)
• Experience leading large complex projects
• Experience managing staff in diverse environments and contexts
• Experience integrating technical aspects that ensure smooth delivery of large research programs
• Highly developed organisational skills, with demonstrable success in working to deadlines and with numerous priorities
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to liaise with a range of internal and external stakeholders, both national and international

In addition, it would be desirable to have

• Expertise in natural resource management, including fisheries
• Expertise in molecular biology
• Knowledge of statistical survey design
• Knowledge of high-resolution 3D oceanographic models
• Strong track record of producing high quality written outputs, particularly in a scientific context

Next Steps

Please attach your resume and a cover letter explaining why you interested in this opportunity.

Applications close: Friday 14 July 2023

Please note we reserve the right to close applications early should a suitable candidate be identified.

Tattarang and Minderoo Foundation are an “All Roles Flex” employer. Tattarang and Minderoo Foundation embraces Equal Opportunity and promotes diversity. We actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.