Staff at Flinders University increasingly concerned as department restructure looms

Six internationally recognised marine scientists who are researching South Australia's toxic algal bloom are set to lose their jobs at Flinders University, the ABC understands.

Some of the team have been analysing dead marine creatures that have washed up on the state's beaches to investigate the bloom's impact on fish and marine mammals.

They are among dozens of positions that would be targeted in a proposed restructure at the university.

Associate Professor Jochen Kaempf said he was "absolutely gobsmacked" when he was told his position would be axed, along with other high-ranking professors, including experts in coastal erosion and whale and dolphin research.

"The skills that you lose is understanding algae blooms, mass strandings of whales and marine heatwave impacts," said Professo