Research Officer - Seaweed

Join to apply for the Research Officer – Seaweed role at CQUniversity.

Base Pay Range

A$91,311.00/yr - A$108,796.00/yr

Location & Relocation

Gladstone, Queensland (CQUniversity Gladstone campus). Relocation support available.

About the Role

The Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) is seeking a highly motivated Research Officer to support applied marine research focused on seaweed ecology and ecophysiology. Located within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, CMERC hosts the world’s largest seagrass nursery and leads research in coastal habitat restoration, sustainable marine resources and ecosystem health.

This role will contribute to a pioneering coral aquaculture restoration project in partnership with Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC), focusing on how macroalgae influence coral health and restoration outcomes. You will support experimental design, data collection and analysis of algal–coral interactions, including thermal stress, competition and allelopathic effects on coral transplants.

You will also contribute to an interdisciplinary initiative developing a seaweed‑based biorefinery to produce high‑value bioproducts, including optimising extraction and purification protocols, characterising biopolymers and metabolites, and evaluating scalability to support circular economy outcomes. This includes ecological surveys, algal processing and close collaboration with CMERC researchers and project partners, using infrastructure such as aquaria systems and mesocosms to deliver high‑quality data aligned to project milestones, particularly for seaweed–coral interactions and restoration under climate stress.

Benefits

• 17% superannuation (with the choice to join an award‑winning superfund)
• 6 weeks annual leave (incl. Christmas and New Year closure)
• 10 days personal/sick leave, plus 5 days carer’s leave
• 7.25 hours engaged service leave
• Fantastic professional and career development opportunities
• Up to 26 weeks (six months) paid parental leave
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program and Fitness Passport

Qualifications

• Completion of a four‑year tertiary qualification in Seaweed Biology/Ecology, Marine Biotechnology or Marine Biology, with relevant work experience; or an honours degree or higher; or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience.
• Demonstrated experience using R or Python for statistical modelling, data analysis and visualisation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including a record of publication in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Proven ability to conduct high‑quality investigative research, including research design, statistical analysis, data interpretation and preparation of research reports.
• Experience in the extraction and characterisation of seaweed or algal biomolecules, including polysaccharides or biopolymers (desirable).
• Completion of a PhD in Seaweed Biology/Ecology, Marine Biotechnology or Marine Biology (desirable).

Application

Applications Close: 11:59pm, Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Please include your current CV or resume and a 1–2 page cover letter highlighting your relevant skills, experience and suitability for the position. Full‑time work rights are required. Visa sponsorship is not available; candidates must hold full rights to work in Australia.

A condition of employment for this role is relocation to the Gladstone region. Please confirm your willingness to relocate in your application.

Equal Opportunity Statement

CQUniversity is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diversity in the workplace. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and CQUniversity’s domestic and international student graduates with post‑study work rights are encouraged to apply.

Job Reference

Job Requisition ID: 6824.