Postdoc/Research Fellow - Nitrogen Cycling and Losses

at  The University of Queensland

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz0lmtJ3YQg
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School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability

• Join a university ranked in the

world’s top 50

• An exciting opportunity to assess the potential of new fertiliser technology and develop nitrous oxide emissions targets for crop residues
• Full-time position at Academic level A or B until end of 2027
• Join our

Gatton Campus community
– take a
virtual tour
!
About UQ’s Gatton Campus
Established over 125 years ago, UQ’s Gatton Campus has a long history – from starting out as a dedicated agricultural institution, to being a field hospital during WWII, and to joining the UQ community in 1990. With this history in mind, we’re proud to have made the
Queensland Commitment
, to break down personal, financial, and geographical barriers facing students to make education opportunities available for all Queenslanders.
These days, our Gatton Campus houses innovative research and teaching facilities in agriculture, animal science, veterinary science and the environment. We’ve partnered with government, industry and donors to invest in major research infrastructure, facilities and technologies, including: the largest
solar research facility
in the Southern Hemisphere, the state of the art
Queensland Animal Sciences Precinct
, and over 1000 hectares of
farms
.

Additional benefits of joining UQ, as well the Gatton campus specifically, include:

• Genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process
• Access to greater research funding opportunities, including grant writing support and post-fellowship contracts via our

UQ Amplify initiative

• Recognition of prior service with other Australian universities
• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
• 17% superannuation contributions
• 25% discount on eligible

UQ Vets

services

• Access to our $4.1 million

UQ Sports facility
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On campus childcare
, medical clinic, post office, and
community garden
-
Free parking
and
intercampus bus
About This Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Fellow to play a lead role in the study of ways to improve the retention and use of nitrogen (N) in summer and winter grain cropping systems in northeastern Australia. These projects are focussing on evaluating the performance of controlled release and stabilised N fertilisers and on quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from crop residues.
Key responsibilities will include:
Research

Level A

• Supervise and conduct field/glasshouse experiments that study nitrogen cycling in grain crops.
• Produce quality research outputs consistent with discipline norms by publishing or exhibiting in high quality outlets
• Contribute to preparation of reports to funding agencies and management of project budgets.
• Contribute to progressing towards transfer of knowledge, technology and practices to research end users through translation, including commercialisation of UQ intellectual property; and to industry through attendance and presentation at industry events and conferences.
• Review and draw upon best practice research methodologies.

Additional for level B

• Develop an independent and/or team research program to achieve national recognition and impact in the research area.
• Participate in or contribute as chief investigator role (often in conjunction with more experienced researchers) in applications for competitive research funding to support projects and activities, which includes actively seeking, obtaining and managing research funding.
• Work with colleagues in the development of joint research projects and applications for competitive research funding support.

Supervision and Researcher Development

Level A

• Contribute to the effective supervision of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students (as appropriate).
• Demonstrate personal effectiveness in supervision and the management of researcher development.
• Effectively lead and develop supervisee performance and conduct by providing feedback, coaching, and professional development.
• As appropriate, manage research support staff effectively throughout the employee lifecycle in accordance with University policy and procedures.
• Working to promptly resolve conflict and grievances when they arise in accordance with University policy and procedures.

Additional for Level B

• Demonstrate a track record of the effective supervision of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students.
• Facilitate engagement opportunities for Higher Degree by Research supervisees
• Manage staff effectively throughout the employee lifecycle in accordance with University policy and procedures.

Citizenship and Service

• Demonstrate citizenship behaviours that align to the UQ values.
• Shows leadership of self through collaboration and active participation in priority activities for the unit
• Provide support to other academic positions and unit operations as needed during other team members absences.
• Contribute to internal service roles and administrative processes as required, including participation in decision-making and service on relevant committees.
• Collaborate in service activities external to the immediate organisation unit.
• Begin to develop external links and partnerships by cultivating relationships with industry, government departments, professional bodies and the wider community.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s
Criteria for Academic Performance
.
This is a full-time (100%), fixed-term position through to end of 2027.
At Academic level A, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $78,871.35 - $105,004.02, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package range from $92,279.48 - $122,854.70 annually.
At Academic level B, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $110,365.29 - $130,765.78, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will range from $129,127.39 - $152,995.96 annually.
As these roles are covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases in line with the Enterprise Agreement.
About You

Level A

• A PhD with a focus on soil science, plant nutrition, agronomy, or related area
• Knowledge and hands-on experience in experimentation in agricultural/environmental chemistry, soil fertility and plant nutrition and supporting analytical techniques
• Experience in the use and analysis of stable radioactive isotopes in soil-plant contexts
• Track record of publication of research findings in high-quality peer reviewed journals and conferences
• Ability to work to deadlines both independently and in a team environment, and an ability to liaise with supporting staff.
• Evidence of industry engagement and ability to effectively communicate to relevant stakeholders.
• High level of personal integrity, transparency, and capability.

Additional for Level B

• A growing profile in research in the field of soil science, plant nutrition, agronomy, or related area.
• A developing reputation and track record of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences, and the development of partnerships with research end users or external collaborators.
• Evidence of successfully seeking, obtaining and managing external research funding.
• A growing record of supervision of Honours and Research Higher Degree students to successful completion.
• Experience in meaningful internal service roles in conjunction with active contributions to external activities.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Questions?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Prof Michael Bell at
m.bell4@uq.edu.au
. For application queries, please contact
talent@uq.edu.au
stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
Want to Apply?

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Responses to the ‘About You’ section

Other Information
At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on
equity, diversity and inclusion
. We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in our broader community, whether that be
gender identity
,

Please refer the Job description for details