Job Description

• The School of the Environment
• Join a university ranked in the world’s top 50
• Work as part of the joint University of Queensland and Queensland Government (Climate Projections and Services, Department of Environment and Science) science program.
• Contribute to the development of marine and coastal hazards projections or contribute to the convection permitting climate modelling and assessment of the impact of convective extremes.
• 2 x Full time, fixed-term positions available for up to 3 years at an Academic Level A.
• Based at the Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Brisbane, Australia

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.

As part of our commitment to research excellence, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and post-fellowship contracts via our UQ Amplify initiative.

The School of the Environment brings together expertise in environmental science, ecology, conservation, marine biology, earth sciences, climate science, geography, zoology, wildlife, biodiversity, genetics, evolution and human society. We work to address complex global challenges relating to climate change, environmental resilience, natural resources, and geological history and processes.

About This Opportunity 

We invite applications for two Postdoctoral Research Fellows to work as part of the joint University of Queensland and Queensland Government (Climate Projections and Services, Department of Environment and Science) science program. The Queensland Future Climate Science Program undertakes research involving climate modelling, climate data processing and analysis, and translation of technical climate knowledge into relevant climate services for Queensland. The team delivers climate change projections information through the Queensland Future Climate website and resources such as the dashboard and the translation and communication of this information for climate risk assessment and adaptation in Queensland.

The ongoing agenda is focusing on the delivery of high-resolution climate projections (10km) dynamically downscaled from CMIP6 global models at over Australia for three emissions scenarios including updating our climate services applications and delivery of the largest set of regional model projections to CMIP6 CORDEX Australasian archive.

The team’s activities support the recommendations from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, the implementation of the Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy 2017-30, and more broadly the Queensland Government’s Climate Action Plan 2020-2030. The team collaborate with other Government departments, interjurisdictional and Commonwealth agencies, universities and science organisations responsible for climate change science and projections, policy and programs. This includes the National Partnership for Climate Projections, the Cross Jurisdictional Community of Practice (Climate Science), NESP 2 Climate Systems Hub, Australian Climate Service, BoM and CSIRO. In-house high-performance computing infrastructure and access to JOB IS FROM: postdocjobs.oneVIEWNational Computational Infrastructure supports the team’s work.

These are exciting opportunities for two Postdoctoral Research Fellows to develop their expertise in:

1. Marine and coastal hazards projections and associated risk to coral reefs Australian-wide with focus on the Great Barrier Reef, and

2. Convection-permitting climate modelling and assessment of climate hazards associated with compounded and convective extremes.

Key responsibilities include:  

Research

• Evaluate ocean-coupled simulations, including marine and coastal hazards (e.g., extreme heat, marine heatwaves, aragonite saturation, ocean circulation) using CMIP6 downscaled simulations (postdoc 1).
• Calculate reef stress metrics (e.g., degree heating weeks of coral bleaching, bleaching severity, probability of extreme bleaching) (postdoc 1).
• Lead development of marine and reef climate change dashboard (postdoc 1).
• Contribute to the dynamical downscaling of CMIP6 regional climate downscaled simulations (10km) to a convection-permitting scale (~2.5 km) over Queensland (postdoc 1).
• Evaluate CPM simulations, including tropical cyclones, convective extremes, atmospheric rivers, and rain bursts (postdoc 1).
• Develop data sets and information on climate hazards associated with convective extremes (postdoc 1).

• Contribute to the development of scientific papers, technical reports, factsheets and other interactive communication pieces.
• Work with colleagues in the development of joint research projects and applications for competitive research funding support.
• Contribute to progressing towards transfer of knowledge, technology and practices to research end users.
• Develop a research agenda coherent with the overarching science program and an emerging research profile.

Supervision and Researcher Development

• Demonstrates personal effectiveness in supervision and the management of researcher development.
• Effective lead and develop supervisee performance and conduct by providing feedback, coaching, and professional development.
• As appropriate, manage research support staff effectively throughout the employee lifecycle in accordance with University policy and procedures.
• Working to promptly resolve conflict and grievances when they arise in accordance with University policy and procedures.

This are research focused academic positions. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.

This is a full-time (100% FTE), fixed-term position for up to 3 years at an Academic Level A (2 positions available). The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range of $89,616.53 - $99,426.59, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $104,851.34 - $116,329.11 annually. 

The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad:  from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

About You  

• Candidates must have a university degree (undergraduate and/or postgraduate) from a recognised tertiary institution in one of the following disciplines: climate science, geospatial science, hydrology, mathematics,  physics or similar.
• Demonstrated knowledge and contemporary technical expertise in climate modelling or/and climate science or marine hazards and risk to coral reefs
• Demonstrated experience with programming, data analysis and visualisation in languages such as python, R, R shiny, Java, JavaScript and Fortran.
• Demonstrated experience with Linux environment and high performance computations.
• Track record of publication in high-quality peer reviewed journals and conferences in the targeted fields of expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, to engage with multiple stakeholders and build collaborative networks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and deliver projects.
• An emerging profile in research in the discipline area.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship may be available for exceptional candidates.

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professorial Research Fellow Jozef Syktus via j.syktus@uq.edu.au or Adjunct Associate Professor / Science Leader Ralph Trancoso via ralph.trancoso@des.qld.gov.au.

For application queries, please contact recruitment@uq.edu.au stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 

Want to Apply? 

All applicants must upload the following documents for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter addressing the selection criteria.
• Resume.

The selection panel will assess your ability to perform the work required of the position based on your application and other selection processes which may include an interview and/or work test. Pre-employment checks, including referee checks will be conducted.

Other Information 

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion.  We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to recruitment@uq.edu.au 

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.

Applications close Friday 24th November 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (R-28799). Interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week of 4th December 2023.