"Research Position in Multi-Agent Decision Making"

Job Description:

(Level B) $114,917 - $135,932 salary per annum plus an employer contribution of up to 17% superannuation will apply.

Fixed term position until the end of 2026 with the possibility of extension as the project advances.

We are seeking a motivated individual to work on an exciting Trailblazer Project in multi-agent decision making in contested and dynamic environments, involving extensively applied work built on a strong mathematical foundation at the intersection of data science, data fusion, decision making and machine learning, with real-world testing and feedback. The successful applicant will work on decision making for anomaly detection, behaviour analysis and surveillance decisions, under the direction of A/Prof Claudia Szabo in the School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Adelaide. This position will work with our partners Praetorian Aeronautics and their testing team to field test emerging AI agent-based technology and push forward projects of national significance. You will learn first-hand about the current state of drone-based surveillance, tracking and distributed decision making and will have a meaningful impact on the future direction of critically deployed solutions. You will work with other researchers and engineers in A/Prof Szabo’s team who share broad goals in decision making in contested and dynamic environments, data fusion, multi-agent reinforcement learning, and secure and robust machine learning solutions.

The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a team with a hands-on approach to experimentation allied to strong theoretical underpinnings. They must be a strong team player and be able to communicate and work with the investigators and industrial partners. They will ideally have some experience of using open-source software packages and a track record of delivery on project-based work.

To be successful at Level B you will need:

• Demonstrated expertise and experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques used for decision making, in particular behaviour analysis techniques.
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in data science and data fusion.
• Publication record commensurate with experience and opportunity.
• Have or be about to complete a PhD (or equivalent qualification) or have equivalent industrial experience in computer science, data science or (applied) machine learning, decision making, and other closely related area.
• Expertise and experience in computer programming, especially in Python and C++.

The path to Adelaide University

We are on an exciting path to Adelaide University as we prepare to open our doors in January 2026. Adelaide University will combine the strengths of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, and we are dedicated to creating an accessible and future-focused educational powerhouse that fosters economic and social wellbeing through ground-breaking research and innovative teaching. You can learn more about Adelaide University HERE and more information will be provided throughout the recruitment process.

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

We offer a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaboration - offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career. It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature - not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour - provides a constant source of inspiration. Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff. We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life. In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include: salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities. Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/jobs

Your faculty's broader role

The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The Faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance. Learn more at: set.adelaide.edu.au

If you have the talent, we'll give you the opportunity. Together, let's make history.

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to be taken through to the online application form. Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description or selection criteria document. Applications close 11:55pm, Sunday 7 September 2025.

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact: Claudia Szabo, Associate Professor, School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, P: +61 (8) 831 36744, E: claudia.szabo@adelaide.edu.au