Principal Botanist

Queensland Government; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Queensland Government's DETSI invites applications for Principal Botanist to lead the Queensland Herbarium Systematic Botany team, guiding taxonomy, morphometrics, phylogenetics, and macroevolution studies to advance biodiversity science.

You will curate Queensland's plant and fungal taxa, develop identification tools, and provide strategic advice to senior leadership while fostering partnerships with national and international researchers and First Nations engagement.

Qualifications

• High-level leadership skills to manage teams and volunteers across projects.
• Contemporary knowledge of Australian plant systematics and nomenclature.
• Ability to lead, initiate and contribute to change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to address complex issues with strategic, technical advice to senior management.
• Strong communication and negotiation abilities to build stakeholder relationships and represent the department.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and support the Queensland Herbarium Systematic Botany team to deliver an active research program in plant and fungi systematics (taxonomy, morphometrics, phylogenetics, phylogenomics, and/or macroevolution).
• Lead and support scientific curation of Queensland's plant and fungi taxa to ensure evidence-based biodiversity decisions.
• Develop identification tools, descriptions and information for priority plant and fungi groups for public access to accurate botanical information.
• Provide strategic leadership and manage complex projects with diverse stakeholders and conflicting priorities.
• Provide timely, high-quality scientific information to the Science Leader, Director and Executive Director addressing policy and legislative issues.
• Develop and maintain links with other state/national herbaria and research partners to ensure correct identifications and aligned classifications.
• Represent the department at forums with government, science, university and industry groups.
• Support governance policy implementation within the work unit in compliance with Work Health and Safety and Financial Accountability acts.
• Foster a workplace culture that promotes First Nations engagement and better outcomes for First Nations people.
• Promote a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace free from bullying and harassment.

Job description

Are you an innovative scientist passionate about Queensland's floral and fungal diversity? Join DETSI's Queensland Herbarium and Biodiversity Science Unit in the role of Principal Botanist and lead our dynamic Systematic Botany team.

This role is open to all applicants, however, applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or with a disability that meet the minimum requirements for the role, will be given priority consideration and invited to participate in the next selection activity.

Here at DETSI, you’ll be inspired and inspire others to make Queensland better. It can be complex and challenging - important work usually is. But your contribution will count, and so will you.

Your Contribution As Principal Botanist

• Lead, manage and support the Queensland Herbarium Systematic Botany team to deliver an active research program in plant and fungi systematics (including taxonomy, morphometrics, phylogenetics, phylogenomics, and/or macroevolution).
• Lead and support the scientific curation of Queensland's plant and fungi taxa in collaboration with others to ensure the Queensland Herbarium collections support evidence-based decision making regarding Queensland's biodiversity.
• Lead and support the development of identification tools, descriptions and information for priority plant and fungi groups to help empower our stakeholders and the community to access accurate botanical information.
• Provide strategic leadership and the management of complex projects that involve diverse stakeholder groups and manage conflicting priorities and emerging issues.
• Provide timely and high quality technical and scientific information and advice to the Science Leader, Director, and Executive Director to address policy, legislative and other issues.
• Develop and maintain linkages and partnerships with other state and national herbaria, agencies, national and international research partners and educational institutions to ensure the Queensland Herbarium collections are accurately identified and that names and classifications are aligned with currently accepted scientific standards.
• Professionally represent the department at forums, including government, science, university and industry working groups and committees.
• Support the effective implementation of governance policy and procedures within the work unit to fulfil all obligations under legislation including the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Financial Accountability Act 2009.
• Foster a workplace culture that supports and promotes the interests of First Nations people and actively engage through our work to contribute to better outcomes for First Nations people.
• Promote a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace that is free from bullying, discrimination and harassment.

What Can You Expect

• You will be a valued member of a welcoming and supportive team
• Work where you can truly engage your values and sense of purpose towards understanding and safeguarding Queensland's biodiversity
• Diverse, interesting work and experiences
• Opportunities to learn, discover and grow
• A collaborative, innovative environment

We'd Love To Hear About Your

• High-level leadership skills including the ability to effectively manage teams, individual staff and volunteers to develop, coordinate and deliver projects.
• Demonstrated contemporary knowledge and experience of Australian plant systematics and plant, fungi and algae nomenclature.
• Ability to successfully lead, initiate, implement and contribute to change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to handle complex issues and provide strategic, technical and operational advice and recommendations to Science Leaders and senior management.
• High-level communication and negotiation skills, the ability to develop and sustain relationships with a range of customers and partners and professionally represent the department and its interests.
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety, equity, diversity, respect and inclusion.

Job Ad Reference:

QLD/702145/26

Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026

Occupational group

Sciences