Postdoctoral Research Associate

• Based in College of Engineering, Information and Technology at the Adelaide CBD Campus 
• Part-time (0.8FTE), 24-month fixed term contract 
• Salary Range: $103,962 - $111,384 per annum (pro-rata) (plus 17% superannuation) 

At Adelaide University, we create the opportunities you need to achieve your ambitions – because when you thrive, we thrive.  

We are transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it’s a place of excellence and equity, where our vibrant community of staff are united by our purpose to inspire Australia’s future change-makers and create a better tomorrow. 

Work that matters  

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative, interdisciplinary research focused on generating trustworthy evidence and high-quality recommendations that inform policy, practice, and decision-making. 

Our team is undertaking research at the forefront of renewable energy transitions, exploring how emerging technologies, urban environments and climate challenges intersect to shape the future of sustainable energy systems. Through innovative modelling, data analysis and interdisciplinary approaches, our work investigates pathways to improve the resilience, efficiency and long-term sustainability of solar energy deployment. 

In this role, you will contribute to research examining the economic, environmental and technical performance of solar photovoltaic and other renewable-energy technologies across diverse urban contexts. You will apply advanced modelling approaches, including integrated assessment modelling, material-flow analysis and life-cycle assessment, while developing robust and reproducible workflows using large and complex datasets. 

This opportunity is ideal for an emerging researcher with strong quantitative skills, a passion for addressing climate and energy challenges, and an interest in applying interdisciplinary methods to deliver meaningful insights that support resilient and sustainable energy futures. 

The team  

This role will report to Associate Professor Dr Ruidong Chang and sit within the School of Civil Engineering and Construction, in the College of Engineering and Information Technology. This role will have several stakeholder relationships, including the wider research team, internal and external stakeholders both nationally and internationally, as well as academic and professional staff across the University. 

Visit the AU website to learn more about the College of Engineering and Information Technology  

Our people   

Our people are guided by purpose, curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. We embrace authenticity, innovation and collaboration, and harness diverse thinking in our pursuit of excellence.

We are a dynamic and collaborative team working on nationally and internationally significant projects that address complex and impactful health questions. 

Learn more about our people, what we stand for and what we offer at Careers at AU. 

Experience  

To join our community and thrive in this role, you will have the following skills and experience:  

• A PhD in environmental economics, energy economics, resource economics, human geography, industrial ecology, or other related fields. 
• The ability to evaluate the economic performance of solar photovoltaic and other renewable-energy technologies across alternative urban deployment pathways. 
• Experience analysing urban solar PV deployment in relation to critical-material demand, technology choice and end-of-life management.  
• Experience in integrated assessment modelling, material-flow analysis, life-cycle assessment or related methods. 
• Experience investigating the relationships between climate and weather hazards, the vulnerability of solar-energy infrastructure and wider energy-system reliability.
• The ability to assess how extreme events and longer-term climatic changes affect solar electricity generation, infrastructure reliability, power disruptions and energy demand. 
• Advanced quantitative programming and data-analysis skills, preferably in Python, together with the ability to develop transparent, robust and reproducible modelling workflows. 
• Experience working with large and heterogeneous datasets, which may include climate projections, electricity-infrastructure records, solar-resource data, energy-demand data, urban geospatial data, economic input–output tables, and technology or material databases. 

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity  

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and valued. Adelaide University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.   

Launch your future with Adelaide University now  

Applying is simple. Simply click on the Apply Now button and upload:  

• your current CV  
• a cover letter that tells us why you’re excited about the role  

The online application form will list the specific selection criteria that you need to address.  

Submit your application by 11:30pm Sunday 16 August 2026. 

Please note that the role description is not attached to this advertisement as it is currently being finalised. 

The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.  

For further information about this opportunity, please contact (quoting reference number 493219):  

Amra Delibasic 
Talent Acquisition Adviser – Talent Acquisition 
People and Culture 
+61 • •••• •700 | careers.adelaideuniversity@adelaide.edu.au