Postdoctoral Research Fellow (B) (with PhD) – School of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Job no: 512259
Work type: Fixed term – Full-time
Campus: Adelaide
Categories: Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
(Level A/B) $91,402-$102,952 per annum plus an employer contribution of up to 17% superannuation applies.
Fixed term, full-time position until July 2026.
A unique postdoctoral research position working at the forefront of water security research for South Australia
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher in a discipline of hydrology, civil / environmental / chemical engineering, agricultural / environmental science or a related discipline to join a dynamic multidisciplinary team that is working towards evaluating water security within Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin and the potential for utilising alternative water sources such as brackish groundwater. This opportunity will lead to new pathways for the agriculture industry, by enabling diversification of irrigated water sources. The project will involve the assessment of any potential negative consequences and associated mitigating measures.
This role is part of a project in cooperation between One Basin CRC Limited, the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, SARDI and Osmoflo. The initial project aim is to evaluate opportunities and risks associated with identifying, sourcing and treating brackish groundwater. The project will implement an online tool for evaluating the utilisation of brackish water and a pilot demonstration of sustainable reverse osmosis for low-recovery cases. Additional reporting will summarise case studies, brine disposal options and a future outlook for investment. The successful candidate will assist in all of the deliverables. Together these outputs will assist in supporting investment decisions associated with the utilisation of brackish groundwater resources.
The successful candidate will bring together, and build upon, insights from desalination and farming practices across South Australia. As such, the candidate is expected to work closely with government representatives, irrigators, growers, technology providers and scientists within the research team, and liaise with partner organisations as part of the project. The primary geographic focus of this project will be on South Australia, but opportunities to scale across other parts of the Murray Darling Basin (and beyond) will be considered.
There will be opportunities to undertake original research and work with growers and agronomists in the agriculture industry to co-create innovative tools and solutions that will drive real-world impact through improved farm profitability and sustainability. Further to the focus on brackish groundwater, there is the potential for the applicant to contribute to other collaborative projects within the One Basin CRC related to the topics of water security, climate impacts, and agricultural water utilisation.
To be successful you will need:
Essential:
- Hold a PhD in a discipline of hydrology, civil/environmental/chemical engineering, agricultural/ environmental science or a related discipline
- Excellent organisational skills with demonstrated ability for project management, managing deadlines and prioritising tasks
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills for liaising and managing collaborations across a diverse set of stakeholders
- Demonstrated experience in numerical modelling or data analysis
- A publication record in scholarly journals relative to opportunity;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to produce high quality scientific publications and presentations
Desirable:
- Knowledge of chemical processes, geographical information system modelling, groundwater hydrology, or modelling complex economic-environmental-social system interactions
- Experience in working as part of large, dynamic multi-disciplinary teams;
- Experience in application of numerical methods such as mathematical optimisation and uncertainty quantification;
- A strong record of research performance, including capacity to identify productive research directions relative to opportunity
Enjoy an outstanding career environment
The University of Adelaide is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs – including significant industry, government and community collaborations – offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.
It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work’s cutting-edge nature – not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour – provides a constant source of inspiration.
Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.
We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life.
In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include: salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.
Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/jobs
Your faculty’s broader role
The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The Faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance.
Learn more at: set.adelaide.edu.au
If you have the talent, we’ll give you the opportunity. Together, let’s make history.
Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to be taken through to the online application form. Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description or selection criteria document.
Application close 11:55pm, 10 July 2023.
For further information
For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:
Dr Michael Leonard
Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering
E: michael.leonard@adelaide.edu.au
The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified
The University of Adelaide is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.
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Advertised: 26 Jun 2023 12:00 AM
Applications close:10 Jul 2023 11:55 PM
