Apply for the Research Associate – Climate role at UNSW.
At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.
About the Role
This position will be based at the UNSW node of CSH, within the Climate Change Research Centre, Sydney, NSW. The Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC) is a multi-disciplinary research centre comprising one of the largest university research facilities of its kind in Australia. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct research that advances the understanding of Australia’s climate, its extremes and associated drivers, and to improve future projections. This research will directly inform climate adaptation solutions for Australia. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will develop their research expertise through the pursuit of defined projects relevant to their particular field of research.
The role will contribute to the CSH project ‘High Resolution Rainfall Extremes’, which will research short‑duration rainfall extremes (sub‑hourly), how they vary across Australia, past trends, and future changes given climate change. The outcomes will address identified gaps in the knowledge underpinning the Climate Change considerations in the Australian Rainfall and Runoff guidelines.
* Level A – $113k – $121k – plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
* Fixed Term – 11 months (or to December 31 2026)
* Full‑time – 35 hours per week
Responsibilities
* Contribute independently and as a team member in collaborative research, with other researchers among CSH partner organisations, enhancing research outputs in high‑resolution rainfall extremes.
* Conduct research and/or enable research teams to produce scholarly output recognised by peers.
* Co‑design and co‑produce research projects through stakeholder interaction during the process.
* Maintain a strong focus on communicating research findings by publishing in highly ranked journals and presenting at local, national and global conferences.
* Undertake specific research projects under the guidance of a research leader and contribute to the development of research activities.
* Develop and run atmosphere and/or coupled climate model simulations using WRF or similar models.
* Analyse observations/reanalysis relative to model simulations.
* Analyse output from bespoke model experiments and large ensembles (e.g., CMIP, CORDEX, NARCliM).
* Take on leadership opportunities that arise to contribute to the collegiate life of CSH/CCRC such as supervising PhD students, committee membership, leading workshops, etc.
* Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
* Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
* Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take reasonable care to ensure that actions or omissions do not impact health and safety of others.
Selection Criteria
* PhD in Physical Climate Science, Climate Modelling, Atmosphere/Ocean Dynamics or related discipline.
* Demonstrated ability to undertake high‑quality scientific research independently and as part of a collaborative team.
* Demonstrated track record of strong research and publication relative to opportunity.
* Evidence of high‑level analytical and problem‑solving skills.
* Evidence of highly developed verbal and written communication skills.
* Demonstrated programming skills in a Unix/Linux environment (e.g., Python, Fortran, Matlab, R).
* Knowledge of regional climate processes and/or land‑atmosphere interactions and/or atmospheric dynamics.
* Experience in developing experiments and running regional climate simulations with a model like the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF), including developing and applying bias correction to boundary conditions.
* Understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
* Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.
Contact
Jason Evans
E: k.meissner@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: November 26th, 2025
Statement
UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
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