"Postdoctoral Research Associate in Global Environment Modelling of Soil Organic and Inorganic Carbon"

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Global Environment Modelling of Soil Organic and Inorganic Carbon

[Apply](https://usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/job/Darlington-Campus/Postdoctoral-Research-Associate-in-Global-Environment-Modelling-of-Soil-Organic-and-Inorganic-Carbon_0135865-1/apply)

locations

Darlington Campus

time type

Full time

posted on

Posted 3 Days Ago

job requisition id

0135865

• Full time, fixed term up to 3 years, located in the School of Civil Engineering
• Be part of the Discovery Project “Soil carbonates, the missing link in the soil carbon budget”
• Base Salary $109,263 - $121,054 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

[The School of Civil Engineering at The University of Sydney](https://www.sydney.edu.au/engineering/schools/school-civil-engineering.html) is recruiting for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Global Environment Modelling of Soil Organic and Inorganic Carbon. You will join Professor Federico Maggi’s research team. You will be focusing on modelling the coupled carbon and nitrogen cycling with a particular emphasis on the interaction between the organic and inorganic carbon components.

The project is part of the Discovery Project “Soil carbonates: the missing link in the soil carbon budget” funded by the Australian Research Council. The project is aimed to improve our in-house developed process-based computer model and use it to represent the soil ecohydrological and biogeochemical interactions across various carbon and nitrogen soil pools and, in particular, the carbonates in the quest to unravel the role of mineral carbon in climate change. The model incorporates state-of-the-art features and will be used across scales, including for global assessments. Research outputs are expected to improve the capacity to predict soil organic and inorganic matter dynamics across ecosystems and answer key question about abatement of GHG emissions and global warming. As the Postdoctoral Research Associate in Global Environment Modelling of Soil Organic and Inorganic Carbon, you will collaborate with leading partners in our research team including Budiman Minasny, Alex McBratney and Damien Field.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

design and improve the soil biogeochemical reaction network and test its capability to represent processes at scales, including parameter calibration and validation, sensitivity analysis and others

present project updates, overviews, and formal presentations of research activities and outputs

prepare peer-review papers as a lead or co-author

provide appropriate mentoring to relevant staff and students on the projects

occasionally participate in teaching and learning activities such as seminars, tutoring etc.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Global Environment Modelling of Soil Organic and Inorganic Carbon who has:

• a PhD (or near completion) in environmental science, computer science, engineering or a related discipline, with an emphasis in numerical computation
• intermediate to advanced skills in large data analysis and manipulation, including programming in different languages including Matlab and/or Python and/or C++
• familiarity in the use of supercomputers in the unix environment - preferred but not essential
• a developing research profile evidenced by original, high-quality and independent research in carbon/nutrient cycling in terrestrial system
• experience in using process-based models - preferred but not essential
• excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication and time management skills.

The ideal commencement date for this position is early 2026, contingent upon relocation and visa arrangements for international applicants.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are [trust, accountability and excellence](https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us/vision-and-values.html) and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to [diversity and inclusion](https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us/vision-and-values/diversity.html), evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of [Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People](https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us/careers-at-sydney/indigenous-careers.html), [women](https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us/vision-and-values/diversity/gender-equity.html), [people living with a disability](https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us/careers-at-sydney/careers-for-people-with-disability.html), [people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds](https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us/vision-and-values/diversity/cultural-diversity.html), and those who identify as [LGBTIQ+](https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us/vision-and-values/diversity/lgbtiq-community.html). We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. [Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion](http://sydney.edu.au/about-us/vision-and-values/diversity.html).

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your [Workday](https://sydney.edu.au/workday) account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Cherie Goodwin or Rebecca Astar, Recruitment Operations by email [recruitment.sea@sydney.edu.au](mailto:recruitment.sea@sydney.edu.au)

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the [Position Description](https://unisyd.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/WorkdayIntegration/EXrcZnBTpslNuoYz373yVyABzbw9WcxmyhmoPkJCrJbroQ?download=1) for this role.

Applications Close

Monday 15 September 2025 11:59 PM