Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Functional Biomaterials for Sustainable Agriculture

Times Higher Education; Australia; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Job summary

Charles Sturt University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to transform agricultural waste into high-value substrates and soil amendments. You will lead nanomaterial design and perform multidisciplinary experiments with industry partners.

You will contribute to publications, reports and project milestones while supporting scale-up, commercialisation and practical application of research outcomes. A fixed-term role supports an ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellowship project.

Qualifications

• PhD in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, nanotechnology, agricultural science, agronomy, soil science or related discipline.
• Experience designing rigorous experiments and maintaining reproducible records.
• Strong record of research outputs and scientific writing.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver experimental research spanning nanomaterials synthesis and characterisation, lab studies, plant and soil experiments, data analysis and research translation.
• Publish reports and milestones; support scale-up and commercialisation of outcomes.
• Collaborate with industry partners and multidisciplinary teams to advance the project.

Skills

PhD in relevant field

Research experience

Rigorous experimental design

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in materials science or related field

Tools

Microscopy

Spectroscopy

Nutrient-release assays

Job description

Organisation/Company CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY Research Field Agricultural sciences Chemistry Engineering Chemistry Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 10 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country Australia Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

• Drive research that turns agricultural waste into sustainable solutions
• Work with industry on innovative biomaterials and agricultural products
• Make an impact across research, sustainability and commercialisation

The role

• Full Time, Fixed Term (up to 12 months)
• Level A - $80,046 to $108,204 pa (plus 17% superannuation)

As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will support an ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellowship project focused on transforming agricultural waste into low-cost, high-quality substrates and soil amendment products. You will develop controlled-release biomaterials designed to improve nutrient release and water retention for mushroom cultivation and crop growth.

Working with industry partners and a multidisciplinary research team, you will plan and deliver experimental research spanning nanomaterials synthesis and characterisation, laboratory studies, plant and soil experiments, data analysis and research translation. You will contribute to publications, reports and project milestones while supporting the scale-up, commercialisation and practical application of research outcomes.

About you

• A PhD in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, nanotechnology, agricultural science, agronomy, soil science or a related discipline.
• Research experience in areas such as agricultural-waste valorisation, mushroom cultivation, substrate development, nutrient-release studies or plant and soil experiments.
• Demonstrated ability to design rigorous experiments, analyse quantitative data and maintain reproducible research records.
• A strong record of research outputs, with high-level scientific writing, presentation and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage competing priorities and build productive relationships with researchers and industry partners.

You will bring curiosity, innovation and a collaborative approach to applied research, with the ability to translate scientific ideas into practical outcomes. Experience in nanomaterials, scale-up, industry validation, commercialisation or analytical techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy or nutrient-release assays will be highly regarded.

About us

We are a university of the land and people of our regions. True to the character of regional Australia we have gumption, we have soul and we collaborate with others. We develop holistic, far-sighted people who help their communities grow and flourish.

The Wiradjuri phraseyindyamarra winhanganhameans the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in. This phrase represents who we are at Charles Sturt University – our ethos. It comes from traditional Indigenous Australian knowledge, but it also speaks to the mission of universities – to develop and spread wisdom to make the world a better place.

Harnessing technology, we thrive as a distributed yet connected community, welcoming and engaging with people across Australia and the world.

Learn more about the Gulbali Institute here .

This position is open to Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents; or applicants who hold a current valid work visa commensurate with this position.

Disclosure Requirement

Applicants may be required to disclose information relating to gender-based violence allegations or findings as part of the University's recruitment and screening processes.

Job specific enquiries: Li Li | Principal Research Fellow of Advanced Biomineral Nanomaterials | [e-mail]