Research Associate - Geoscience Data Platforms

University of Western Australia; Crawley; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Research Associate in Geoscience Data Platforms to contribute to impactful research in Australia’s critical minerals sector. This role involves developing scalable data platforms, integrating diverse datasets, and applying cloud computing to geoscience challenges. Collaborating with academic and industry partners, you will work in a world-class research environment, enhancing the capabilities of geoscience research. If you have a PhD and a passion for data science, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in the field.

Benefits

26 weeks paid parental leave

4 weeks annual leave

17% superannuation

Salary packaging options

Discounted health insurance

On-campus childcare options

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in full-stack development and cloud computing.
• Experience designing metadata management tools and integrating datasets.

Responsibilities

• Develop scalable data platforms for geoscience research.
• Integrate multidisciplinary datasets and ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

Full-stack development

Cloud computing

Data engineering

Advanced data wrangling

MLOps

Version control systems

Education

PhD in Software Engineering

PhD in Computer Science

PhD in Data Science

Tools

Data lakehouses

Snowflake

Azure

Job description

• 26 weeks paid parental leave after one year and 36 weeks after five years continuous service, regardless of gender.
• 4 weeks annual leave with the option to purchase more.
• 13 weeks long service leave after seven/ten years.
• Salary packaging options.
• 17% superannuation, with the option to reduce to the minimum super guarantee.
• 25% off UWA full fee courses, discounted health insurance, and convenient on-campus childcare options.
• Incremental progression based on 12 months continuous service.

Research Associate - Geoscience Data Platforms

Job no: 519898
Work type: Full Time
Location: Crawley
Categories: Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

• Contribute to high-impact, cross-disciplinary research by developing scalable data platforms for geoscience, supporting Australia’s critical minerals sector.
• Work in a world-class research environment at UWA, collaborating with academic, industry, and government partners on real-world data science applications.
• Full-time appointment on a fixed term basis for 12 months.
• Base salary range: Level A, $80,520 - $108,362 p.a. plus 17% superannuation.

About the area

The ARC-funded Centre for Critical Resources for the Future (CCRF) is located within the School of Earth and Oceans at the University of Western Australia (UWA). The Centre collaborates across academia, industry, and government to address research challenges related to critical minerals. The Data to Knowledge Program plays a transformative role by generating insights for evidence-based geosciences, while providing training for the geoscientists of tomorrow. This cross-disciplinary research associate position will be hosted by the School of Physics, Mathematics, and Computing (PMC) at UWA. The PMC School has a strong tradition of world-leading research in computer vision, mathematical physics, data science and quantum measurement.

About the opportunity

• Support the development of scalable, customisable data platforms to enhance collaborative geoscience research.
• Integrate multidisciplinary datasets and ensure compliance with metadata standards at national and international levels.
• Apply cloud computing and data science to geoscience challenges in collaboration with researchers and industry partners.

About you

• Holds a PhD in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science or a related field, with demonstrated expertise in full-stack development, cloud computing, and data engineering for geoscience applications.
• Proven research track record with experience designing metadata management tools, integrating cross-disciplinary datasets, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Skilled in advanced data wrangling, MLOps, version control systems, and designing scalable research platforms for data-intensive research environments.
• Experienced in collaborating with academic and industry partners, contributing to knowledge transfer, training, and data science upskilling across research teams.
• Familiar with modern data warehousing (e.g. data lakehouses, Snowflake), cloud platforms (e.g. Azure), and designing extensible data platforms that meet security and privacy requirements.

Please apply online via the Apply Now button and address the selection criteria in your submission in a separate document. For information to assist you with compiling statements to answer the selection criteria, please visit Addressing the selection criteria .

You may submit a statement describing any personal circumstances relevant to your application. This can include academic/professional interruptions or achievements relative to opportunity.

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Sunday, 11 May 2025.

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

About the University

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a safe environment for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with disability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. Alternatively, you can contact us for assistance during the recruitment process.

If you have queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. Alternatively, please contact the Talent team at [e-mail] with details of your query. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number.

Advertised: 05 May 2025 W. Australia Standard Time
Applications close: 11 May 2025 W. Australia Standard Time