"Postdoctoral Research Fellow - NAGISA Project"

Job Description:

PRIMARY DETAIL

• Salary package: $109,272 to $117,108 (ACA Level A.6 - A.8) plus 17% employer's superannuation contribution and annual leave loading.
• Appointment Type: Full-time, 3-year fixed term role
• Location: Based at Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

The Role

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the NAGISA Project, a cutting-edge initiative focused on real-time atmospheric correction using ground-layer adaptive optics (GLAO) for astronomy, with extensions to smart infrastructure and environmental monitoring. This DVCR and National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ, under JSPS-KAKENHI International Leading Research (ILR) program; 22K21349) co-funded position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of astronomy, optics, and environmental sensing.

The incumbent will contribute to the development and deployment of real-time correction algorithms and hardware systems, leveraging GLAO technologies in collaboration with ULTIMATE-Subaru project team at NAOJ. The role involves both theoretical modeling and experimental validation, with applications extending beyond astronomy into smart cities and environmental monitoring.

The successful candidate will have an innovative mindset and interest in cross-disciplinary applications. You will have a strong work ethic and the ability to manage multiple research objectives.

Some of your key responsibilities include:

• Develop real-time atmospheric correction algorithms using GLAO principles.
• Design and implement hardware/software systems for astronomy and environmental monitoring applications.
• Collaborate with national and international partners, in particular with colleagues at NAOJ, on instrumentation and data integration.
• Conduct simulations and field tests to validate system performance.
• Contribute to publications, reports, and presentations for academic and industry audiences.
• Co-supervise postgraduate students and contribute to training activities.
• Support the translation of astronomical technologies into smart infrastructure solutions.

About Us

The Faculty of Science and Engineering is a young and dynamic faculty driven by the spirit of discovery. Here we nurture the next generation of science and technology innovators. From a handful of students on the University’s first day, the Faculty now serves nearly 6000 students across all our programs.

The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences is an inclusive community in scientific collaboration. Mathematics and statistics drive breakthroughs in technology and data science, while physics and astronomy seek to understand matter and the Universe – everything from quarks to galaxy clusters. We collaborate closely with local, national, and international organisations and companies across the diverse mathematical and physical sciences fields. Further information about our school is available here.

The successful candidate will be based in Macquarie University’s new Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) precinct, which hosts advanced engineering laboratories for instrumentation development. Our new AAO precinct hosts advanced engineering laboratories dedicated to the design and development of cutting-edge technologies for astronomy and beyond. Working within the AAO labs, the successful candidate will benefit from a collaborative environment that bridges astronomy and engineering, engaging with teams across AAO and the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences under the Macquarie’s Astrophysics and Space Technologies Research Centre. Further information about the AAO is available here. The successful candidate is expected to undertake long-term business trips to Canberra, Japan, and Hawaii during the period of employment.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, please apply online by submitting your CV and a separate (2-page maximum) cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the following selection criteria:

Essential:

• PhD in physics, astronomy, optics, atmospheric science, or a closely related field.
• Experience with adaptive optics systems or environmental sensing technologies.
• Strong programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or similar for real-time data processing.
• Demonstrated ability to work in collaborative, multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and scientific writing skills.

Highly Desirable:

• Experience with AO systems or atmospheric turbulence modeling.
• Familiarity with sensor integration and hardware prototyping.
• Knowledge of astronomy, smart infrastructure or environmental monitoring frameworks.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields.
• Experience mentoring students or leading small research teams.

Role-specific Enquiries: Tayyaba Zafar - Senior Lecturer • Mathematical and Physical Sciences - tayyaba.zafar@mq.edu.au.

Applications Close: Sunday 4th of January 2026 at 11:59pm (AEST)

*** Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date. We also reserve the right to close the advertisement early if a sufficient number of qualified applicants is received.*