School of Civil Engineering – Faculty of EAIT Full-time (100%), permanent/fixed-term position for up to 12 months Base salary will be in the range $83,698.91 - $111,431.10 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A) Visa sponsorship is not available for this position Based at our St Lucia Campus - Brisbane About This Opportunity We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow / Research Officer in Geotechnical Engineering to join our research team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in geotechnical analysis and design, with expertise relevant to experimental and numerical investigations of geomaterials, including digital image correlation (DIC), acoustic emission techniques, and the monitoring of fracture processes in rock and coal. This position will contribute to an advanced research program focused on geotechnical design, material characterisation, and fracture mechanics, with applications to mining and sustainable resource development. Some travel to mine sites will be required. The role forms part of a collaborative research environment and offers the opportunity to work across experimental testing, computational modelling, and field or laboratory monitoring. Key responsibilities will include: Research: Conduct experimental and numerical investigations related to fracture behaviour, monitoring techniques, and geotechnical design in geomaterials and coal. Apply DIC, acoustic emission monitoring, and computational modelling to generate high‑quality research outputs. Pursue funding opportunities, collaborate with project partners, and contribute to research translation and industry impact. Supervision and Researcher Development: Supervise and support Honours and HDR students, foster researcher development, provide constructive feedback, and assist in managing research activities in accordance with university policies. Teaching: Contribute to teaching support, including mentoring and supervision of Honours and postgraduate coursework students as required. Citizenship and Service: Build collaborative partnerships, support team members, engage in internal service roles, participate in committees, complete administrative tasks, and uphold the values of the University. 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, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process. About You Completion or near completion of a PhD in the discipline area. An emerging profile in research in the discipline area. Evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences. Evidence of contributions towards successfully obtaining external research funding. Some experience in meaningful internal service roles and contributions towards external activities. In support of our Indigenous employment strategy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. We value lived experience, community connection and diverse career pathways. Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualifications checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements. Work Rights? You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment. Questions? For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Mehdi Serati via m.serati@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. Want to Apply? We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload: Resume Cover letter Responses to the ‘About You’ section Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We are committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au. Other Information UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who do not meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role. Applications close on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-61147). LI-DNI