Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Soil Science

• School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability

• Collaborate with highly awarded, world-class colleagues

• Lead role in the study of fertiliser interactions with soils.

• Academic Level A for 3 years

• Based at St Lucia Campus

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 .

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. Not only do we have one of the largest PhD enrolments in Australia, but we have also made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

About This Opportunity 

This is an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to play a lead role in the study of fertiliser interactions with soils. This position will focus on understanding the fate of fertiliser in soils in order to improve production and environmental outcomes. Plant responses to fertilisers can be highly variable, and without knowledge of the underlying drivers, this variability in crop responses creates uncertainty for commercial operations. This project will provide a broad conceptual framework for examining multi-nutrient fertiliser reactions in soil as required to improve overall plant growth and environmental sustainability. The project will use a diverse range of laboratory and glasshouse approaches for understanding the transformation and potential availability of fertiliser nutrients within differing soils, and examine the dynamics of fertiliser release within the soil profile. The position offers an excellent opportunity to develop diverse research and analytical expertise, as well as to pursue broader personal and professional development through publications, student supervision, and service roles across the University.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Supervise and conduct laboratory and glasshouse experiments that study fertiliser availability and transformations in diverse soil types

• Produce quality research outputs consistent with discipline norms by publishing or exhibiting in high quality outlets

• Contribute to preparation of reports to funding agencies and management of project budgets.

• Contribute to progressing towards transfer of knowledge, technology and practices to research end users through translation, including commercialisation of UQ intellectual property; to industry through attendance and presentation at industry events and conferences.

• Review and draw upon best practice research methodologies.

• Contribute to the effective supervision of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students.

• Shows leadership of self through collaboration and active participation in priority activities for the unit

• Contribute to internal service roles and administrative processes as required, including participation in decision-making and service on relevant committees. 

• Collaborate in service activities external to the immediate organisation unit. 

• Begin to develop external links and partnerships by cultivating relationships with industry, government departments, professional bodies, and the wider community.

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

This is a full-time (100%), fixed-term position for 3 years.

At Academic level A. The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $75,808.68 - $100,926.59, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $88,696.16 - $118,084.11 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  

• A PhD with a focus on soil science

• Knowledge and hands-on experience in experimentation in agricultural/environmental chemistry, soil fertility and plant nutrition, and supporting analytical techniques.

• Track record of publication of research findings in high-quality peer reviewed journals and conferences

• Ability to work to deadlines both independently and in a team environment, and an ability to liaise with supporting staff.

• Evidence of industry engagement and ability to effectively communicate to relevant stakeholders.

• High level of personal integrity, transparency, and capability.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: Visa Sponsorship may be available for this position.

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Peter Kopittke [email protected] . For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 
 

Want to Apply? 

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

• Resume

• Cover letter

• Responses to the ‘About You’ section

Please note that you will be asked to add all documents into the one upload box labelled ‘resume’, which is step one of the application form.
 

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 our 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 [email protected]  

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 February 13th 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (R-34417).