Job Description
About This Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to lead and grow the Deep Mining Geoscience (DMG) group, expanding its research impact, fostering new industry partnerships, and promoting collaboration across the University.
We’re seeking an Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow with a recognised track record of excellence in research and mining industry experience. You will play a key role in advancing the DMG agenda, securing external funding, and delivering innovative solutions to industry. At this level, a strong contribution to service and engagement is expected.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Research:
- Maintain a record of outstanding contributions in deep mining geoscience through high-impact publications in international journals, refereed conference proceedings, and industry reports.
- Secure major external funding through grants and industry partnerships
- Lead DMG research across six key themes from the DMG White Paper (Geoscience Characterisation (data acquisition, integration, and modelling), Rock Mass Conditioning technologies, Geo-risk Management and hazard modelling, Material Flow in Deep Cave Mines, Mining Method Design Improvements, Education and professional training.)
- Deliver applied solutions, guidelines, and geohazard models to support mining industry practices
- Represent UQ and DMG at academic, professional, and industry forums
- Drive funding initiatives as chief investigator for major research projects, including actively seeking, obtaining and managing research funding.
- Translate research into practice, including commercialisation of UQ intellectual property
- Contribute to discipline service through editorial and leadership roles
- Teaching: Contribute to postgraduate and professional education in mass mining and geotechnical engineering, including the development of Master 's-level courses and online training modules. Deliver high-quality teaching and mentoring that reflects international best practice and industry needs
- Supervision and Researcher Development: Act as Principal Supervisor for HDR students, ensuring timely and successful completions. Mentor early-career researchers and professional staff, building team capability in applied mining geoscience. Successfully build and lead a research team, developing and mentor more junior academics and researchers.
- Citizenship and Service: Contribute to the governance and strategic leadership of the BRC and SMI. Actively engage in external service through professional societies, editorial boards, and technical review boards for major mines. Build enduring partnerships with global mining companies, governments, and research organisations. Provide support to colleagues and uphold university values.
This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance
About You
- Demonstrated practical expertise and experience in either Mining Engineering, Geomechanics, Geoscience, or a closely related discipline.
- International recognition in the area of expertise and an excellent record of publications in reputed refereed journal and presenting at conferences.
- Expertise in deep mining/geoscience -related research/practice and geomechanical modelling.
- Evidence of translating research into practice, including contributions to improved mine design, safety, and reliability in deep and complex mining environments.
- Proven ability to lead and manage large, multi-stakeholder research projects and to secure significant external funding through competitive grants, industry partnerships, and international collaborations, evidenced by a sustained track record of attracting and delivering major competitively awarded funding within geomechanics or a closely related discipline.
- Ability to successfully lead a research team, with an excellent record of successfully seeking, obtaining and managing significant external research funding from institutional and commercial sources.
- Ability to successfully lead a research team, with an excellent record of successfully seeking, obtaining and managing significant external research funding from institutional and commercial sources.
- Experience in developing and delivering postgraduate teaching and/or professional training programs for industry.
- Well-developed communication, interpersonal and consultative skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from a multidisciplinary background.
The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, education check.
Questions?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Andre Van As a.vanas@uq.edu.au
For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
Want to Apply?
We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:
- Resume
- Cover letter responding to the ‘About You’ section
Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au
Other Information
UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.
Applications close Monday 20 July 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-57364).
