Research Assistant (Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure)

Overview

• Full-time, Fixed Term position for 3 years
• Salary Academic Level A + 17% Superannuation
• Based at the Melbourne CBD campus, but may be required to work and/or be based at other campuses of the University

About the Centre

The ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Cycle Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure (“the Centre”) will bring together expertise from 21 academic and industry partners from including universities, government authorities, professional associations, and consulting companies.

This Centre aims to transform the capability of civil infrastructure stakeholders to design, construct, operate and dispose of infrastructure in a carbon neutral way. By training industry-embedded PhDs and postdocs in the methodology and technology required to design out excess carbon of infrastructure in its whole life, this Centre expects to lead the world in sustainable infrastructure design, enabling a new generation of infrastructure design in Australia and internationally. Achieving carbon neutral infrastructure in its whole life will bring significant far-reaching benefits, including equipping industry with tools required to meet Australia’s emission reduction targets as well as economic, commercial, environmental, and social gains.

About You

The Research Assistant will be a key member of the Centre’s interdisciplinary team, collaborating with research teams and experts across the various university nodes and industry partners. In this position you will carry out independent and/or team research in the following areas: carbon assessment and management of infrastructures, structural engineering, structural design, structural reliability methods and circular economy of built environment, and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) for data mining, processing, and modelling.

Applicants must have a PhD in civil/mechanical engineering/applied mathematics, with expertise in reliability theory, stochastic processes, or related methods. The successful Postdoctoral Research Fellow will contribute to a research project focused on designing for carbon neutrality across the full life cycle of infrastructure assets. Key activities will include producing technical manuals to support design and operational decision-making, informed by validated prototypes, and supporting industry uptake through deployment within partner networks and national-level dissemination.

Travel to other nodes of the Centre and partner organisations within Australia, and potentially international travels (as needed) will be required for collaborative work.

For further information on our research programs, please visit the Centre’s website on https://dfco2.org.au/research/

To be successful in this position, you will have:

• PhD in civil/mechanical/engineering or applied mathematics with research area related to theory or methods of reliability or stochastic processes.
• Emerging track record and recognition for quality research outputs which will contribute to the research priorities of the Centre and the School of Engineering evidenced by publications, development of new research initiatives, competitive research funding, and industry links.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise higher degree by research candidates.
• Ability to build effective networks with colleagues and generate alternative funding projects through effective liaison with industry and government.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills appropriate for interacting with higher degree by research candidates, staff, and industry, together with a strong commitment to teamwork and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and effectively manage varying workloads and respond to changing priorities as required.
• Excellent communication skills with proven ability to produce clear, succinct reports and documents.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.

About the College

The STEM College holds a leading position and expertise in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health (STEM) fields. We are uniquely positioned to influence and partner with industry, as never before.

STEM College is a community of exceptional STEM researchers, teachers, inventors, designers and game-changers, supported by talented professional staff. We offer higher education programs across all STEM disciplines at the Bachelor, Master and PhD levels, and ensure our students experience an education that is work-aligned and life-changing.

The College is renowned for its exemplary research in many STEM areas including advanced manufacturing and design; computing technologies; health innovation and translational medicine; nano materials and devices; and sustainable systems. Our brilliant researchers attract funding from government and industry sources.

Industry is at the heart of what we do. It ensures our research has real world impact, and our students are truly work-ready. Under the leadership of DVC STEM College & Vice President, Digital Innovation, we have established new hubs of industry-connected digital innovation and endeavour and are engaging with global STEM organisations at scale.

Our diversity and shared values empower our work, and we are proud of the College’s inclusive, caring culture. We offer a safe, dynamic work environment, and support every member of our community to achieve their potential. The College appointed Victoria’s first ever Dean of STEM, Diversity & Inclusion in 2020, and this role drives gender equity, diversity and inclusion strategies across the College.

STEM College employs 1,000 staff who deliver onshore and offshore programs to approximately 20,000 students.

We are here to positively impact the world and create the next generation of STEM leaders.

www.rmit.edu.au/seh

To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing your suitability for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page.

Candidates who have applied previously will not be considered and not need to reapply.

For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Siew-Queen Chin via email siew.queen.chin@rmit.edu.au

Position Description - Research Assistant

Applications Close: 24 June 2026 11.59 pm