"Research Associate - Climate"

Research Associate - Climate

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Job no: 538910
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Post Doctoral Research Associate

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

THIS ROLE IS LOCATED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

This position will be based at UNSW within the Climate Change Research Centre, Sydney, NSW. The Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC) is a multi-disciplinary research centre comprising one of the largest university research facilities of its kind in Australia. CCRC houses research expertise in the key areas of Earth's climate: atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial processes. We apply basic scientific principles to pressing questions on climate dynamics, global climate change, and extremes of weather and climate.

The project is a collaboration with the UNSW Water Research Centre (WRC) which is based in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. WRC undertakes multidisciplinary research in water and environmental engineering. Our researchers develop tools to improve the management and sustainability of communities and aquatic and atmospheric environments.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct research that contributes to the Australian Research Council funded Linkage project “Connecting changing sub-daily precipitation extremes to flash floods”. The project collaborates with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, as well as the State Emergency Services (NSW).

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct research that advances the understanding of sub-daily rainfall extremes and related flooding. Storm systems will be investigated using an object-based method, applied to weather radar data and regional climate projections (NARCliM).

About the role

• Level A - $113k - $121k - plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 2.5 years
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

The Research Associate reports to Professor Jason Evans and has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Contribute independently and as a team member in collaborative research, with other researchers among Linkage project partner organisations, with a focus to enhance the quality of research outcomes in short-duration rainfall extremes and flooding.
• Conduct research (as per the norms of the discipline) and/or enable research teams to create scholarly output that is recognised by peers.
• Contribute to the co-design and co-production of research projects through interaction with stakeholders during the research process.
• Maintain a strong focus on communicating research findings by publishing in highly ranked journals and presenting to peers at local, national and global conferences.
• Undertake specific research project/s under the guidance of the Linkage project Chief Investigators and contribute to the development of research activities.
• Analysing observations (including weather radars)/reanalysis in relation to model simulations.
• Analysing output from bespoke model experiments and large ensembles (e.g. CMIP, CORDEX, NARCliM).
• Take on leadership opportunities that arise to contribute to the collegiate life of CCRC and/or WRC such as contributing to PhD supervision, committee membership, leading workshops, etc.
• Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

About the successful applicant:
(Selection Criteria)

• PhD in Physical Climate Science, Climate Modelling or Atmospheric Science or related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality scientific research independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Demonstrated track record of strong research and publication (relative to opportunity) in an area listed in the position summary.
• Evidence of high level analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Evidence of highly developed verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated programming skills in a Unix/Linux environment (E.g. Python, R).
• Knowledge of regional climate processes and/or land-atmosphere interactions and/or atmosphere dynamics.
• Experience in application of weather radar data and analysis of regional climate projections.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact: Jason Evans
E: jason.evans@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: April 27th, 2026