Sustainable Minerals Institute / Centre for Environmental Responsibility in Mining (CERM)
Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 2 years
Base salary will be in the range $83,698.91 - $111,431.10 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A)
Based at our St Lucia Campus
This is an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Officer to contribute to pioneering, purpose‑driven research at the intersection of ecology, remote sensing and mine rehabilitation. Working within the Sustainable Minerals Institute’s Centre for Environmental Responsibility in Mining (CERM), you will play a key role on the CRC TiME 3.18 Project, developing hyperspectral and structural data libraries and advanced workflows to improve mine closure outcomes across northern Australia. You will collaborate with a diverse, interdisciplinary research community and engage directly with industry and stakeholders, helping translate research into real‑world environmental impact.
Key responsibilities will include:
Research: Deliver high‑quality research outputs through publications and collaborative projects, contributing to competitive grant applications and knowledge translation, including industry‑facing outcomes.
Field and Technical Research: Apply best‑practice methodologies in hyperspectral, LiDAR and earth observation research, including fieldwork in remote locations and data‑driven species classification.
Supervision and Researcher Development: Contribute to the supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, supporting a positive and inclusive research culture.
Citizenship and Service: Demonstrate UQ values through collaboration, service roles and engagement with industry, government, Traditional Owners and the broader community.
This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.
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.
You will bring curiosity, technical capability and a collaborative mindset to this role, along with:
Completion or near completion of a PhD in hyperspectral data, LiDAR analysis, earth observation or a closely related discipline, or an equivalent combination of experience and education/training.
Demonstrated coding capability in R and/or Python.
A strong understanding of vegetation communities in northern Australia.
Willingness and ability to plan and undertake extended fieldwork in remote environments.
An emerging research profile, evidenced by publications in quality refereed journals and conference presentations.
Experience or interest in industry‑engaged research, particularly within mining, rehabilitation or environmental monitoring contexts.
The ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and across diverse cultural and professional settings.
In support of our Indigenous employment strategy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. We value lived experience, community connection and diverse career pathways.
Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualifications. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.
You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Phill McKenna | Research Fellow at phillmckenna@cmlr.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.
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 responding to the ‘About You’ criteria above
Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.
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 don’t 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 Thursday 7 May at 11.00pm AEST (R-62942). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for late May.