Senior Curator (Corals), Queensland Museum
ROLE DESCRIPTION
Job Ref:
QLD/QMB218/15
Closing Date:
Friday 20 November 2015
Program:
Biodiversity &
Geosciences Program
Classification:
PO4
Campus:
Museum of Tropical
Queensland
Salary:
$85,182 - $91,599 per annum (plus
superannuation and leave loading)
Dr John Hooper
07 3840 7722
john.hooper@qm.qld.gov.au
Location:
Townsville
Contact:
Dr Robert Adlard
07 3840 7723
robert.adlard@qm.qld.gov.au
Status:
Fixed Term until 30 June
2018, Full-time
PD Ref:
Reviewed:
September 2015
Position No:
30814
We are seeking an enthusiastic team member to help us achieve our
mission to enrich and enliven Queensland communities.
ABOUT THE JOB
We would seek to appoint a highly motivated, productive scientist with a demonstrated track
record of research outputs, international collaborations, external grant funding, collection
based research, and evidence of successful supervision of completed doctoral and
postdoctoral students. The position will lead and collaborate with a team of scientists and
technical staff to conduct original research and acquire collections of corals and other
Cnidaria, ensuring the museum continues to play a significant international role in coral reef
and tropical biodiversity research. The position will supervise collection management staff,
grant funded staff and postgraduate students, and contribute to the development of
innovative public programs and exhibitions in accordance with the strategic priorities of the
Queensland Museum.
The position is based at our Townsville Campus, the Museum of Tropical Queensland, with a
proportion of the position to be seconded to James Cook University.
This is a full-time fixed-term position until 30 June 2018 in the first instance. There is
the possibility for extension and tenure at the Queensland Museum following the
initial term.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Conduct original research in the subject area of scleractinarian corals and other Cnidaria, within
the priority themes of the Queensland Museum (Appendix 1), and in collaboration with
researchers from James Cook University in particular, and other research organisations in
general, leading to internationally recognised peer-reviewed publications, popular publications
and other media outputs.

Seek external research funding to provide research outcomes consistent with the strategic
directions of the Queensland Museum.

Manage the Corals Section of the Biodiversity & Geosciences Program efficiently and effectively
to meet program and institutional objectives, and supervise, mentor, coach and train direct
reports (including volunteers and students).

Oversee and supervise staff in the identification sorting, assessment and accessioning of
Cnidarian specimens to specialist levels and make relevant recommendations on balancing long
term preservation against access to the collections, and ensure the accuracy of the associated
electronic databases.

Work as part of a project team to provide expert advice in the design and development of public
display and public education programs and answer enquiries from both public and professional
groups.

Liaise with and provide advice to the other areas in the museum, professional bodies, other
groups outside the museum and the Program Head on relevant issues.

Participate in public relations, media and institutional fundraising and awareness campaigns to
promote the Queensland Museum’s results and activities.

Contribute to the safety culture of the Queensland Museum by reporting all incidents and hazards
and ensuring work is undertaken in the safest way possible, following all WHS
policies/procedures and guidelines relevant to the job. Undertake all relevant responsibilities
identified in the WHS Accountabilities and Responsibilities Matrix
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following capabilities as they relate to the Key
Responsibilities of the role:
Supports strategic direction
Understands the work environment and contributes to the development of strategies and team goals.
Supports and promotes the organisation’s mission and business objectives.
Achieves results
Contributes own expertise in marine science and in conducting original research and secures
external support and recognition to achieve outcomes for the Section. Applies expertise in managing
all aspects of museum processes.
Supports productive working relationships –
Builds and sustains positive relationships and effectively forms collaborations with internal and
external clients. Applies people management skills.
Displays personal drive and integrity –
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Acts professionally at all times and operates within the boundaries of organisational processes and
legal and public policy constraints. Takes personal responsibility for accurate completion of work by
self and team members.
Communicates with influence
Communicates in a clear and concise manner and confidently presents knowledge of marine
biodiversity to a broad audience including external stakeholders. Applies communication skills to own
publications in peer reviewed literature, media and conference presentations.
Selection criteria for all roles within the Queensland Museum are based on the Queensland Public
Service Commission’s Capability and Leadership Framework (CLF). For further information on the
CLF please go to www.psc.qld.gov.au.
MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a postgraduate tertiary degree from a recognised tertiary institution in Science or
equivalent discipline, with a major in Zoology, Invertebrate Zoology, Marine Biology or other
appropriate qualification as deemed relevant by the CEO, Queensland Museum.

SCUBA diver qualifications consistent with current occupational standards, small boat licences,
Restricted Radiotelephone Operators Certificates or other appropriate qualifications for marine
based work are highly desirable.
OUR VISION
Queensland Museum Network — discovering Queensland, inspiring generations.
A museum for all Queenslanders that actively partners with diverse communities to enrich
understanding of self and place.
THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
The Queensland Museum is a dynamic, statewide organisation that actively partners with, and
connects communities, through compelling experiences, original research, amazing collections and a
creative culture. As custodian of the State’s natural and cultural treasures, the Queensland Museum
makes lasting connections, inspiring generations of Queenslanders to discover, celebrate and value
our unique environment and cultural identity. Our team of more than 300 people achieves great
things, in a supportive culture that encourages innovation and collaboration, and includes scientists,
historians, customer service staff, event managers, producers, designers, conservators and
photographers.
BIODIVERSITY & GEOSCIENCES PROGRAM
The Biodiversity & Geosciences Program is responsible for the collections of the fauna (living and
fossil), geology and mineralogy of Queensland and adjacent regions. The core role of the Program is
to understand the fundamental units of biodiversity – the variety of species (taxa), the ecosystems
they form and the genes they carry – the success of which depends on being able to firstly discover,
accurately recognise and then define them. The Program operates within the overall strategic
framework and direction set by the Board of Queensland Museum.
THE MUSEUM OF TROPICAL QUEENSLAND
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The award winning Museum of Tropical Queensland reveals life at the tropical edge, turning
significant research into compelling experiences that showcase the unique cultural and natural
heritage of North Queensland. The modern exhibition space features iconic North Queensland
stories including HMS Pandora, corals and rainforest, dynamic activities and an active temporary
exhibition program. The Museum also houses internationally recognised coral collections with a
research focus on corals, marine invertebrates, maritime heritage and Indigenous cultures. A
community leader, MTQ brings people together to share their stories and interpret their world in a
quest to better understand North Queensland’s distinctive cultural identity.
REPORTING, REPORTS & FINANCIAL

This position reports administratively through the Head of Marine Biodiversity to the Head of
Biodiversity & Geosciences Program, Queensland Museum Network.

The position is predominately based at the Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville,
centred around the internationally acclaimed ‘Worldwide Acropora Collection’. It is envisaged
that the position will be also be cross-appointed with James Cook University at a 20% full time
equivalent and based at JCU during that secondment, to maintain effective networks and
collaborations with researchers at JCU. It is anticipated that research projects, students and
collaborators would have mobility across both work places.

The Research Officer & Collection Manager (Cnidaria) reports to and is managed by this
position.

Financial delegation approvals to amounts not exceeding $5,000.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Intra-state travel may be required from time to time, including fieldwork to acquire new
collections.

Probationary periods apply to successful candidates external to the Queensland public sector.

Occasional work outside normal working hours, including weekends, may be required from time
to time

A non-smoking policy is effective in Queensland Government buildings, offices and motor
vehicles.

Your application for this role will remain current for 12 months and may be considered for
recurring vacancies which may be at an alternative location or alternative employment basis
(full-time or part-time).

The position will be required to complete field work and an open class C driver’s license is also
required.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS
Appointment is subject to the following pre-employment checks and disclosures 
Employment screening: criminal history, a Working with Children (Blue Card), and previous
discipline history check will be undertaken. The cost for Working with Children checks will be at
the recommended applicant’s expense.

Employment eligibility: to be eligible for permanent appointment to the Queensland Public
Service you must provide proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency. To be eligible
for temporary appointment you must provide proof that you can legally work in Australia.

Employment as a lobbyist: newly appointed employees to the Queensland public sector must
disclose within one month of starting duty any previous employment as a lobbyist within the last
two years.
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HOW TO APPLY
To be considered for this role, please provide the following information to the selection panel for
assessment of your suitability:

Your current résumé, including 2 recent referees with a thorough knowledge of your work
performance and conduct within the previous two years.

A 2 page statement outlining your suitability for this role by addressing the ‘Key
Responsibilities’ framed against the ‘Assessment criteria’. Shortlisting and selection will be
based on these selection criteria.
Apply on-line through Smart Jobs and Careers website (www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au). You will receive a
system-generated acknowledgement.
If you are unable to apply online please contact CAA Recruitment Services on (07) 3003 2341 or (07)
3003 2336 to enquire about alternative arrangements.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES
You may wish to access further information regarding the Queensland Museum on our website,
which is located at www.qm.qld.gov.au.
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APPENDIX 1. LIST OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY BioGeo RESEARCH THEMES
A. Sustainable Queensland
AA. Queensland Biodiversity
A1. Uniquely Queensland: Biodiversity – Unique & Threatened Faunas
A1.1. Great Barrier Reef
A1.2. Queensland Coasts, Estuaries, the Continental Deep Sea and Seamounts
A1.3. Rainforests
A1.4. Woodlands, Brigalow and Arid Zones
A1.5. Rare & Threatened Species Distributions, their Status and Ecology
A1.6. Queensland Biodiversity in Relation to the World (in Space and Time)
A1.7. Structure and Function of Organisms
A4. Queensland in Time and Space: Evolutionary & Systematic Biology
A4.1. Species Boundaries.
A4.2. Systematics.
A4.3. Evolutionary Biology, Phylogeny and Cladistics.
A4.4. Biogeography, Phylogeography and Calibrating the Molecular Clock.
AB. People and the Environment
A2. Healthy Queensland: Ecosystem Health & Faunas of Commercial or Medical Significance
A2.0. The Molecular Identities Laboratory
A2.1. Biodiscovery.
A2.2. Fisheries & Tourism.
A2.3. Agriculture.
A2.4. Human and Veterinary Toxicity.
A2.5. Biological Control.
A2.6. Diseases and Disease Diagnostics.
A2.7. Parasitology and hyperdiversity.
A2.8. Microbial Symbioses, Diversity and Ecology.
A2.9. Invasive Species.
A3. Conserving Queensland: Ecology & Conservation Biology
A3.1. Biodiversity ‘Hotspots’
A3.2. Surrogates for Biodiversity Assessment.
A3.3. Ecological Monitoring and Baseline Studies.
A3.4. Ecology of Key Faunas.
A3.5. Habitat Assessment.
A3.6. Climate Change Response.
B. Dynamic Australia (Ancient Ecosystems)
B1. Ancient Earth.
B1.1. Fossil reefs and their inhabitants, their role in reconstructions
B1.2. Exceptional faunas, arthropods, Brachiopods and bivalves
B1.3. Geodiversity
B2. Gondwanan Inheritance.
B2.1. Australian Cretaceous Non-marine Faunas
B2.2. Australian Cretaceous Floras
B2.3. Australian Cretaceous Marine Faunas
B2.4. Other Australian Mesozoic Faunas & Floras
B3. Australia: as an Island.
B3.1. An island fauna
B3.2. Rainforest Cradle
B3.3. The great drying
B3.4. The rise and fall of the megafauna
B4. Quaternary Climate Change.
B4.1. Responses of Australian Fauna and Flora to Quaternary Climate Change.
B4.2. Responses of Tropical Ecologies to Quaternary Climate Change
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