Postdoctoral Research Associate

Organisation/Company: UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

Research Field: Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geosciences

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2), Established Researcher (R3)

Country: Australia

Application Deadline: 3 Apr 2025 - 00:00 (UTC)

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

(Level B) $111,031 - $131,335 or (Level C) $135,388 - $155,696 per annum plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation applies.

Fixed term, full-time position for 3 years.

To unlock the great potential of hydrogen as a future fuel, a critical challenge is the cost of storage at scale, without significant loss. The most economically viable options for large-scale hydrogen storage are underground, within solution-mined or engineered caverns and depleted sedimentary reservoirs. Substantial research advances are required, to provide answers to questions focused around understanding the impact of geological heterogeneities at a range of scales, both sedimentologic and structural, on the subsurface flow and interactions of hydrogen upon injection and subsequent recovery.

This postdoctoral research associate will work in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Adelaide, with expertise in sedimentology, structural geology and geomechanics, and fluid flow in porous media, to undertake research focused on geochemistry and diagenetic alteration on hydrogen injection and recovery. New facilities at the University of Adelaide that will be leveraged by the research associate include batch reactors with attached bench-top hydrogen generator, CO2 and H2-compatible coreflood facilities, and a geomodelling laboratory.

Two key themes have been identified for this research program: 1) improved assessment of risk to hydrogen recovery posed by carbonate-clastic interbeds and inclusions within salt targets for solution-mined cavern storage of hydrogen, 2) improved understanding of the impact of geomechanical deformation on hydrogen gas-water-rock interactions in hard rock (i.e. excavated caverns) settings. Opportunity for the postdoctoral researcher to further refine and develop research priorities is expected, in collaboration with academic supervisors and the industry sponsor.

To be successful you will need:

• Demonstrated initiative and ability to lead and conduct independent research, with a strong and recent track record of research expertise in geochemistry and diagenetic alteration within the subsurface, demonstrated by publications in international peer reviewed journals and a demonstrated ability to secure research funding.
• A PhD with a focus on geochemistry, or on a topic within a related discipline encompassed by geoscience, petroleum geoscience or petroleum engineering.
• Demonstrable strong interpersonal and communication skills to support working independently and within a multi-disciplinary research team, collaborating toward goals, contributing to solving problems, developing scientific ideas, lead collaborative scientific writing, and liaise with industry and government partners, with a commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace and/or professional organisations.
• Experience of conducting research experiments in a laboratory setting, including the design and oversight of experimental research activities.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising postgraduate students and/or research support staff.

The University boasts one of Australia's foremost research and teaching teams in the field of GeoEnergy, with a focus on fundamental and applied science and engineering research. The University and bp have signed a AUS$10 million agreement that will support GeoEnergy research, education and outreach activities into the geological storage of hydrogen and carbon dioxide over five years. Research funding provided under this agreement will support engineering and science-focused projects, whose research will focus on the safe and economic storage of hydrogen underground and the geological sequestration of carbon dioxide, and includes these post-doctoral research fellowships.

The bp sponsorship includes establishing a new Geomodelling Laboratory facility, operational by mid-2025, which will be a centre for world-leading research capability that includes a purpose-built lab, experimental equipment and dedicated spaces for research, education, professional development training, and outreach. Facilities will include a state-of-the-art 3D crustal deformation rig, multiple 2D crustal deformation rigs, H2 and CO2 injection visualisation rigs, 'desktop delta' stratigraphy rigs and a large stream table.

A unique GeoEnergy and Storage Laboratory facility is also launching in 2025. This contains a CCS Coreflooding system with X-ray scanner, and an Integrated Facility for UHS Studies, comprising a hydrogen-compatible coreflood system, NMR core analyser, high-pressure drop shape analyser and hydrogen-compatible batch reactor.

The path to Adelaide University

We are on an exciting path to Adelaide University as we prepare to open our doors in January 2026. Adelaide University will combine the strengths of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, and we are dedicated to creating an accessible and future-focused educational powerhouse that fosters economic and social wellbeing through ground-breaking research and innovative teaching. You can learn more about Adelaide University HERE and more information will be provided throughout the recruitment process.

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

We offer a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaboration - offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.

It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature - not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour - provides a constant source of inspiration.

Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.

We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life.

In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include: salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The Faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance.

If you have the talent, we'll give you the opportunity. Together, let's make history.

Applications close 11:55pm, 3rd of April 2025.

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

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

School of Physics, Chemistry & Earth Sciences

You'll find a full position description and/or selection criteria below.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application.