Research Fellow in Geoscience
Position Summary
- School: School of the Environment
- Employment Type: Full-time, Fixed-Term
- Duration: 2 Years
- Academic Level: Level A
- Salary: $104,209.38 - $111,431 + 17% Super
- Location: St Lucia Campus
About This Opportunity
Join The University of Queensland as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at tracking magmatic processes associated with mineralisation in porphyry copper deposits.
In this role, you will develop and apply machine-learning models to predict mineralisation using accessory minerals such as zircon and apatite, with a particular focus on integrating insights from plutonic, volcanic and sedimentary (detrital) records.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to build your expertise within a high-impact and globally relevant field of geoscience research.
You will join the vibrant magmatic petrology research team led by Associate Professor Teresa Ubide, contributing to the ARC Discovery Project “Finding critical copper beneath volcanoes,” in collaboration with leading researchers across UQ and The Australian National University.
Based within the School of the Environment, you will have access to state-of-the-art analytical facilities at the Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry and ANU-RSES, a strong national and international collaborative network, opportunities to support PhD student training and supervision, and opportunities to contribute to service and engagement activities within a dynamic and supportive research environment.
Key Responsibilities
Research
- Develop an emerging research profile through the delivery of high-quality research outputs.
- Publish in leading outlets.
- Apply best-practice research methodologies to advance a coherent research program.
- Contribute to collaborative research initiatives and competitive funding applications.
- Support joint project development and the translation of research outcomes into end-user impact, including commercialisation opportunities where relevant.
Supervision and Researcher Development
- Contribute to the supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students.
- Support researcher capability and professional growth.
- Provide effective supervision and leadership to supervisees and research staff.
- Deliver coaching, feedback, performance development and management in line with University policies and procedures.
- Resolve issues as they arise.
Citizenship and Service
- Demonstrate collaborative leadership and strong citizenship aligned with UQ values.
- Contribute actively to unit priorities, service and committee activities.
- Provide operational support.
- Develop internal and external partnerships across industry, government and the broader community.
This is a research focused position.
About You
Essential Requirements
- Completed or near-completion of a PhD in Earth Sciences, with specialisation in geochemistry, petrology or economic geology.
- Emerging research profile demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and active engagement in disciplinary research.
- Strong interest and/or experience in elemental and isotopic microanalysis, particularly of accessory minerals, including in-situ geochemical techniques and data interpretation.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively within research teams, with effective time management and delivery against deadlines.
- Experience engaging with academic, industry and/or government collaborators to support research impact and knowledge exchange.
- Practical experience with key analytical instruments (e.g. EPMA/SEM, LA-Q-ICP-MS, LA-MC-ICP-MS, SHRIMP) and associated geochemical workflows.
Desired Experience
- Exposure to advanced analytical or modelling approaches, including machine-learning applications, thermodynamic modelling, and/or assessment of magmatic copper fertility.
- Capability in field-based geology including detrital sampling.
- Contributions to grant applications, service activities and broader research engagement.
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