Overview
Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow in Planetary Robots – University of Sydney. Two positions (Level A or B depending on experience) focused on autonomous navigation and mission operations for lunar rover deployments as part of Australia\'s Moon to Mars Initiative.
Base Salary $113,400 - $132,212 + 17% superannuation
About the opportunity
The Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR) at the University of Sydney is partnering with EPE Oceania and the ELO2 Consortium to advance Australia\'s space capabilities as part of the Moon to Mars Initiative. These roles contribute to development and deployment of autonomous systems for lunar rover operations, integrating navigation, sensing, and decision-making technologies to deliver operational capabilities for the Roo-ver lunar mission.
Responsibilities
Develop and deploy advanced autonomous systems for lunar rover operations, integrating navigation, environmental sensing, and mission-critical decision-making.
Contribute to autonomous path planning algorithms for GPS-denied lunar environments and extreme conditions.
Develop stochastic optimisation frameworks for mission-critical decision-making under uncertainty.
Contribute to one or more research domains: autonomous navigation and path planning for lunar terrain traversal; machine learning for real-time obstacle detection, terrain analysis, and environmental adaptation; multi-constraint optimisation including energy, thermal, and communication considerations; integration of autonomous systems with power, thermal, and payload operations.
Collaborate with EPE Oceania, Lunar Outpost Oceania, and other ELO2 Consortium members to tailor algorithms to lunar conditions and real mission requirements; deliver flight-ready systems meeting NASA/ASA standards.
Translate research into practical, deployable solutions and manage cross-partner technical integration.
Engage with space industry partners and government agencies to meet mission-critical requirements while balancing innovation and reliability.
Qualifications
PhD in Mechatronics, Computer Science or related field with focus on algorithmic software design, development, and deployment.
Proven track record in robotics, autonomous navigation, optimisation, mission operations, or space systems research.
Experience with autonomous systems or mission-critical optimisation software in challenging environments.
Strong collaboration and communication skills for multidisciplinary teams; ability to translate research into deployable solutions.
Early Level B appointments possible for candidates with 1–2 years postdoctoral experience and field/practical experience.
Relevant technical expertise
Path planning algorithms and autonomous navigation
Stochastic optimisation and decision-making under uncertainty
Mission operations software and systems engineering
Space systems and mission-critical software development
What we offer
Opportunities to contribute to Australia\'s premier lunar robotics mission with global significance
Collaboration with space industry partners, government agencies, and international organisations
Access to state-of-the-art robotics platforms and mission infrastructure
Direct contribution to the Moon to Mars Initiative and national space capabilities
Work rights
Unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of employment are required. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.
EEO statement
At the University of Sydney, we value diversity and strive for an inclusive community. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to diversity and inclusion across our staff and students. We are recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer.
How to apply
Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. For university employees, log in to Workday and navigate to USYD Find Jobs to apply. For confidential discussions or if you require reasonable adjustments, contact Recruitment Operations at
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
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