Senior Advisor, DNA-powered Fisheries

Reporting to the Director, OceanOmics and Ecosystem Intelligence you will actively contribute to a team driving impact and outcomes for Natural Ecosystems by working productively and efficiently, collaborating closely with new and existing partners as well as internally within Minderoo’s matrix structure. You will be a champion of our One Minderoo Culture, focusing where applicable on partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries to develop and execute a content strategy aligned with Minderoo’s strategic goals.



Ecosystem Intelligence & OceanOmics aims to revolutionise how we measure, understand and conserve life in our oceans by realising the power of marine genomics and environmental DNA (eDNA). By interweaving new approaches and knowledge with existing methods, we strive to drive better decision-making and outcomes for our ocean ecosystems.



As a Senior Advisor in DNA-powered Fisheries, you will be responsible for identifying partners and navigating the fisheries landscape to accelerate the uptake of DNA-based tools and support outcomes across fisheries management, public awareness, marine protected areas, ecosystem- based management, and the interaction of fisheries with threatened biodiversity and habitats.



Working closely with other team members in Natural Ecosystems, you will provide domain expertise and strategic direction in interweaving DNA tools with other fisheries data (e.g. video, acoustic, catch and satellite data). The goal is to ensure the most appropriate tool is applied at the right time to support sustainable fisheries management.



This role, requiring 8+ years’ post-graduate experience (PhD or equivalent on-job training), requires a Senior Advisor who is motivated to navigate, empower and collaborate with a diverse range of partners across sectors, rather than conduct research themselves. The position is ideally suited to someone with a proven track-record of collaborating with the fishing industry, fishers’ communities, policymakers and scientists to accelerate change within the sector and drive outcomes.

• Use expertise and strategy to identify world-leading partners that the Foundation can support to new approaches to fisheries science and ecosystem-based management. Identify and assess non-traditional and emerging data and technology partners that may deliver step-change advances in ecosystem intelligence.
• Support partners in drafting funding agreements, setting milestones, framing budgets. Where appropriate, represent Minderoo on scientific or technical advisory boards to monitor progress, guide delivery and inform strategic decisions. Work in close collaboration with Minderoo’s Legal, Finance and Impact & Insights teams.
• Complement existing expertise in fisheries science with a new suite of rapidly emerging DNA-tools in areas such as fish life history, relative abundance, genetic diversity and DNA-based metrics that infer ecological integrity. Understand and help address barriers to the adoption of DNA tools and develop strategies to facilitate their uptake.
• Leverage data and technology, including models, metrics, AI tools and visualisation of fisheries and biodiversity data that can inform decision-making. Awareness that no information is useful if people can’t use it. This position will have a focus on the ‘eDNA plus’ and ‘eDNA data impact & policy’ projects within the Ecosystem Intelligence body of work.
• Effectively communicate the purpose of DNA-informed fisheries by working closely with your Natural Ecosystems colleagues, the Advocacy & Engagement team and our partners to produce media content, outreach materials, scientific reports/publications, and presentations for national and international events.
• Working across national boundaries will require meetings outside normal working hours and likely involve international travel.

Additional Information



Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements that support your wellbeing
  
• Attractive parental leave
  

Applications close:

1 April 2026

Please attach your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this opportunity.



Please note we reserve the right to extend closing date and/or close applications early should a suitable candidate be identified.



Minderoo Foundation embraces Equal Opportunity and promotes diversity. We actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.



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