Research Worker - Seagrass Nursery Officer

About this Opportunity

• Fixed-Term (until 31.12.2026), Part-Time ( 0.8FTE - 58hrs/fortnight)
• Office of the Vice-President – Research
• CQUniversity Gladstone
• Support Research Worker Level 4
• Total Remuneration $70,510 to $74,476 pa (including salary of $59,582 to $62,933 plus 17% superannuation and leave loading)

Join an organisation with an unbreakable belief that quality education, training and research should be available to everyone – regardless of background, location or life circumstances.

Working at CQUniversity

Join a passionate team at the forefront of coastal and marine research. As the Seagrass Nursery Officer at CQUniversity’s Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC), you’ll play a key role in developing and operating seagrass nurseries, including maintaining stocks in Australia’s largest seagrass nursery, to protect and restore seagrass ecosystems.

If you enjoy practical, hands-on work, value variety, and want your efforts to contribute directly to real-world environmental outcomes, this role is for you.

You will provide vital technical, laboratory, nursery and field support to CMERC researchers, students and project partners. Working across research laboratories, aquaria facilities and the SeaGrow seagrass nursery, you’ll help maintain high standards of scientific practice, safety and data quality.

No two days will be the same as you assist with experiments, support field operations, maintain specialised equipment, and contribute to the delivery of a diverse portfolio of research and restoration projects.

Be Rewarded

• 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

Position Requirements

• Completion of a degree in a field related to the research project without subsequent relevant work experience; or completion of an advanced diploma/associate degree level qualification with some relevant work-related experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Demonstrated understanding of Workplace Health and Safety legislation.
• Previous laboratory and fieldwork experience with the ability to work both independently and within a multidisciplinary team to meet the requirements of laboratory and fieldwork schedules.

Position Description

For further information about this position, please refer to the Position Description.

Apply today for a career that changes lives

Applications Close: 11:59pm, Tuesday, 06 January 2026

Please note, CQUniversity will be closed from Thursday, 25 December 2025, and will reopen Monday, 5 January 2026. For any vacancy-related questions or technical issues experienced during this time, please email the contact person listed below, and they will respond to you upon their return in the New Year. We wish you a safe and enjoyable festive season.

Job Requisition ID: 6802

Contact Details: 

Emma Jackson

(07) 4970 7208

emma.jackson@cqu.edu.au

When submitting your application, please include: Your Current CV or Resume, and a 1-2 page Cover Letter highlighting your relevant skills, experience and suitability for the position. Please note, applicants for the position must have full time work rights.

Work Rights: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold the full rights to work in Australia to be considered for this appointment.

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.

*Pro-rata for part-time employees

#HEW4 || #LI-BE1 || #LI-Onsite || Marine Biology | Environmental Science | Field Operations | Laboratory Techniques | Data Collection | Habitat Conservation | Aquatic Systems | Research Support | Equipment Maintenance | Environmental Monitoring | Marine Conservation | Project Coordination