"Research Fellow in Computational Multiphysics"

School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering - Faculty of EAIT

Full-time, fixed-term position for up to 2 years

Base salary will be in the range $82,057.75 - $109,246.18 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A)

Visa sponsorship may be available for this position

Based at our St Lucia Campus - Brisbane

About This Opportunity

If you are passionate about computational modelling, thrive on solving complex multiphysics problems, and want to drive meaningful change through research - this might be the role for you!

This is your opportunity to work on high-impact projects—from modelling fluid flow in subsurface reservoirs to exploring next-generation fluid-solid interaction challenges in biomedicine and microfluidics. Your work will directly contribute to global energy transition efforts, supported by strong partnerships with industry leaders and research centres, including the UQ Gas and Energy Transition Research Centre (GETRC) and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide (GETCO₂).

At our Computational Multiphysics Laboratory (CML), we value innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. You will benefit from access to large-scale high performance computing infrastructure, a highly interdisciplinary research culture, and mentorship from experienced leaders like Associate Professor Christopher Leonardi and Dr Travis Mitchell. Our decade-long collaborations with industry giants such as Santos, BHP, Shell, and Rio Tinto reflect our commitment to delivering research that matters.

Key responsibilities will include:

Research

• Conduct advanced research in computational fluid-solid mechanics with a focus on coupled poromechanical modelling for coal seam gas (CSG) production, fluid injection, and geomechanical responses such as subsurface compaction and subsidence.
• Apply and upscale models to industry-relevant scenarios, deploying simulations on high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure and integrating outcomes into commercial workflows.
• Collaborate and disseminate research through partnerships with academia and industry, contributing to funding proposals, mentoring, and publishing in leading journals and conferences.

Teaching

• Assist in the delivery of lectures, tutorials and practical classes, where appropriate, as well as the marking of assessment.

Supervision and Researcher Development

• Provide effective supervision and mentorship to Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, supporting their academic and professional development.
• Foster a positive research environment, demonstrating leadership in researcher development and resolving conflicts in line with university policies.

Citizenship and Service

• Demonstrate UQ-aligned citizenship behaviours and self-leadership through collaboration, active participation, and support for unit operations during team absences.
• Contribute to internal service and administration, including decision-making and committee involvement.
• Begin developing external partnerships by building relationships with industry, government, professional bodies, and the broader community.

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

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will 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.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

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

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in Engineering (mechanical, aerospace, civil, petroleum) or Science (applied physics, applied mathematics) with a strong background in CFD and the finite element method (FEM).
• Expertise in computational mechanics using FEM/FVM, with experience in commercial or open-source modelling of fluid-solid systems.
• Understanding of unconventional gas production and coal geomechanics, or ability to quickly acquire relevant domain knowledge.
• Proficiency in high-performance computing (HPC) for large-scale parallel simulations.
• Experience with advanced constitutive models and their FEM implementation, or capacity to rapidly develop this expertise.
• Proven ability to publish high-quality research and communicate findings effectively to varied audiences.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and time management skills, with the ability to work both independently and in multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to develop a research program, contribute to funding applications, and supervise Honours and HDR students.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check.

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.