Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Ecological Engineering in Mining

• Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology / Sustainable Minerals Institute

• Full-time fixed-term position for up to 3 years

• Base salary will be in the range $85,372.89 - $113,659.72 + 17% super (Academic Level A)

• Based at our St Lucia Campus with occasional travel to mine sites

Join The University of Queensland as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and contribute to the new ARC Linkage Project, Addressing Soil Shortage Through Sustainable Technosol Formation. This innovative project aims to develop new knowledge and methodologies to establish sustainable soil nitrogen biogeochemical processes and ecological resilience that support the development of self-sustaining plant communities in newly constructed soil systems and engineered landforms within bauxite residue landscapes.

Based within the Ecological Engineering of Mine Research Group at the Sustainable Minerals Institute, you will work within a collaborative, inclusive and multidisciplinary research environment, partnering with leading researchers and industry stakeholders to deliver impactful outcomes that support environmentally sustainable mining and mine-site rehabilitation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Undertake high-quality, innovative research investigating biological nitrogen fixation, nitrogen acquisition and utilisation in saline- and alkaline-tolerant plant species, applying molecular, physiological, biochemical and ecological approaches across laboratory, glasshouse and field settings.

• Design, establish and deliver field and laboratory experiments, applying advanced analytical approaches including stable isotope techniques, omics-based methodologies and quantitative modelling to understand nitrogen cycling within soil-plant systems under rehabilitation and development.

• Publish research findings in high-quality peer-reviewed journals, present outcomes at national and international conferences, contribute to competitive grant applications, and support the supervision and mentoring of postgraduate students and research assistants.

• Contribute to the effective operation of the research group, engage with industry partners and collaborators, support project management and reporting activities, and foster a positive, collaborative and inclusive research culture.

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

• Completion of a PhD in plant sciences or a closely related discipline, with expertise in the physiology and ecology of biological nitrogen fixation being highly regarded.

• Demonstrated knowledge of plant physiology, soil-plant-microbe interactions, and nitrogen cycling processes in terrestrial ecosystems.

• Proven expertise in plant physiology and plant-microbe interactions, including experience with molecular, genomic, transcriptomic and/or other omics-based approaches.

• Strong experimental and analytical skills, with experience undertaking field-based and/or laboratory-based research and applying appropriate statistical and quantitative analytical methods.

• Demonstrated ability to publish high-quality research in leading peer-reviewed journals and effectively communicate research outcomes to a range of audiences.

• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams and with industry partners.

• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and contribute to research project management activities including planning, documentation, reporting and milestone delivery.

• Experience with stable isotope techniques, biogeochemical modelling, disturbed land rehabilitation research, industry collaboration, student supervision, or ecosystem nutrient cycling studies will be highly regarded.

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

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Longbin Huang at *******@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at ******@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume, cover letter, and responses to the ‘About You’ section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia and qualification checks. 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.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ, and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing ******@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close Sunday 23 August 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-67401). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the first 2 weeks of September.