Antarctic research jobs in Tasmania advertised

Fourteen positions in Hobart and Launceston are being offered through the University of Tasmania in a search for young researchers for the partnership.

The specialised positions are for postdoctoral scientists to work at IMAS, CSIRO and the Australian Antarctic Division in Hobart, and researchers, engineers and technicians at the Australian Maritime College in Launceston.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen said the new positions would strengthen Tasmania's place as a global gateway to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean, along with its research capability.

"When we talk about jobs for Tasmania's future, this is a very clear example," he said. "Consolidating the themes of research in which we have world standing, in areas where we have a clear advantage, is central to delivering both the potential of our University and the State as a whole."

Professor Richard Coleman, of the University's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), is Director of the Antarctic Gateway Partnership.

He said the positions fall under four research themes that enhance Australia's existing Antarctic research effort.

"The initiative will build new polar research capability in Tasmania to secure and reinforce its recognition as a global leader in Antarctic and Southern Ocean science; and further establish Tasmania as a gateway for Antarctic research, education, innovation and logistics," he said.

Key objectives include -

Developing a marine technology hub to build next generation hybrid autonomous underwater vehicles for measurements within the polar environment

Establishing a sea-ice charting and forecasting capability for polar mariners in the East Antarctic sea ice zone

Advancing understanding of how the oceans influence melting of the East Antarctic ice shelves and to quantify present and future contributions of Antarctic ice sheet loss and sea level rise

Providing much-needed insights into the environmental conditions that control marine life in and around Antarctic ice shelves

And, reducing the unacceptably large range of estimates of the contribution of the Antarctic ice sheet to sea level since the last major glacial expansion 20,000 years ago

Professor Coleman said that when hiring is completed, the program would involve almost 40 young researchers, technicians and postgraduate students, working with senior scientists at the largest Southern Hemisphere Antarctic and oceans research hub.

Image: Technician Isak Bowden-Floyd , who has just been appointed at the Australian Maritime College on the Australian Research Council Antarctic Gateway AUV project.

Authorised by the Executive Director, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
1 May, 2018