Ecological Remote Sensing Research Associate (Hybrid)

UTS; Broadway; Hybrid; AUD 98,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Flexible work practices

Generous parental leave

Salary packaging opportunities

Job summary

UTS invites applications for a Research Associate (Ecological Remote Sensing) to lead satellite remote-sensing analyses, integrate ground observations, and advance climate-biodiversity studies across Australia. The role focuses on MODIS/Landsat phenology, cross-scale data linkages, and collaborative workflow development.

The position is full-time, fixed-term up to 2 years, hybrid with onsite Broadway Sydney, commencing Jan–Apr 2027. Applicants must have a PhD and strong publication record.

Qualifications

• PhD in environmental remote sensing, geospatial science, landscape ecology or closely related field.
• Experience processing and analysing satellite time series (MODIS, Landsat and/or Sentinel-2) for vegetation phenology or ecosystem applications.
• Strong programming skills (Python and/or R) for reproducible geospatial analysis, including HPC/cloud environments and good data management practice.
• Ability to link remote sensing with ground ecological or biodiversity data to address ecological research questions.
• A publication record appropriate to career stage, and strong written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with Australian biomes, alternative earth observation satellites (AHI, GEDI, PlanetScope), and datasets like ALA, Survey plots, phenocams, flux towers.
• Experience supervising junior researchers or engaging with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-term satellite remote-sensing analyses using MODIS and Landsat to map phenological trends and hotspots in Australian ecosystems.
• Develop cross-scale approaches linking satellite observations with ground phenology records and landscape vegetation dynamics.
• Investigate how climate, biodiversity and vegetation phenology interact by integrating satellite products with ground datasets.
• Collaborate with UTS CAMGIS/GeoAI and RMIT partners to develop reproducible geospatial workflows and deliver high-impact maps and publications.

Skills

Satellite time series analysis

Python and/or R

HPC/cloud environments

Geospatial data management

Written and oral communication

supervision of junior researchers

Education

PhD in environmental remote sensing / geospatial science / landscape ecology

Tools

Python

R

Job description

UTS invites applications for a Research Associate (Ecological Remote Sensing) to lead satellite remote-sensing analyses, integrate ground observations, and advance climate-biodiversity studies across Australia. The role focuses on MODIS/Landsat phenology, cross-scale data linkages, and collaborative workflow development.

The position is full-time, fixed-term up to 2 years, hybrid with onsite Broadway Sydney, commencing Jan–Apr 2027. Applicants must have a PhD and strong publication record.