UQ

Postdoctoral Research Fellow / Research Officer in Structural Engineering

St Lucia Campus Full time

About This Opportunity 

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow / Research Officer in Structural Engineering to join our dynamic team. You will require to have a strong background in structural analysis and design, with expertise in the assessment, repair, rehabilitation, and monitoring of civil infrastructure, particularly bridges constructed using advanced materials and techniques.

This exciting opportunity will involve contributing to a cutting-edge research program focused on experimental and numerical investigations, with a strong emphasis on net zero emissions and sustainability in civil infrastructure. The position is embedded within the research group led by Professor Rebecca Gravina, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Chair in Structural Engineering, offering a unique opportunity to work at the interface of academia and industry.

Key responsibilities will include: 

  • Research: Conduct structural analysis, design, and monitoring of civil infrastructure with advanced materials, emphasising sustainability and net-zero emissions. Apply experimental and computational methods, produce high-quality research outputs, pursue funding, collaborate on projects, and support knowledge translation and commercialisation while developing a coherent research program.

  • Supervision and Researcher Development: Supervise and support Honours and HDR students, provide coaching and feedback, manage research staff as needed, and address conflicts in line with University policies.

  • Teaching: Support teaching delivery and contribute to the supervision and mentoring of Honours and postgraduate coursework students.

  • Citizenship and Service: Develop partnerships, demonstrate leadership through mentoring, engage in internal service roles and committees, perform administrative functions, provide support to colleagues, and uphold university values.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will 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.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

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, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

About You

  • Completion or near completion of a PhD in the discipline area.

  • An emerging profile in research in the discipline area.

  • Evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.

  • Evidence of contributions towards successfully obtaining external research funding.

  • Some experience in meaningful internal service roles and contributions towards external activities.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check, mandatory immunisations, etc. 

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Rebecca Gravina via r.gravina@uq.edu.au.

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
 

Want to Apply? 

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

  • Resume

  • Cover letter

  • Responses to the ‘About You’ section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We are committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information 

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who do not meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close on Friday, 30 January 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-58964). Interviews will likely occur around mid-February 2026.