Postdoctoral Research Associate AI-Driven Sensing and Control for Megaproject Systems

• Full time, Two (2) Year fixed term opportunity. Located at the Forest Lodge Building on the Camperdown Campus

• Advance AI-driven decision-making in future megaprojects.

• Base Salary Level A, Step 6 $113,400 p.a + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The School of Project Management at the University of Sydney is a leading hub for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of engineering, systems thinking, and organisational studies. We are seeking a

Postdoctoral Research Associate AI-Driven Sensing and Control for Megaproject Systems (Level A) to join a new research stream focused on intelligent sensing and control frameworks for megaprojects.

Working under the supervision of Dr. Wanchun Liu, an Australian Research Council's Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) Fellow and expert in cyber-physical systems and AI-driven sensing and control for large-scale systems, the successful candidate will contribute to the development of adaptive decision-making architectures for large-scale, complex project environments. This project is part of an ambitious research program to integrate real-time sensing, AI-based control, and governance analytics into the future of infrastructure and technology megaprojects.

The appointee will conduct original research, publish in top-tier journals, collaborate with academic and industry partners, and contribute to competitive grant applications.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• conduct high-quality research in intelligent sensing and control for complex project environments

• develop and implement AI-based algorithms (e.g., GNNs, deep reinforcement learning)

• design and simulate dynamic models of megaproject systems

• prepare and submit journal articles to high-impact publications

• contribute to competitive grant proposals and research impact activities

• collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers across engineering, management, and AI

• supervise or mentor research students, where appropriate.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate AI-Driven Sensing and Control for Megaproject Systems who has:

• a PhD or near-completed PhD in one of the following fields (or closely related):

  • project Management or Project Studies (with strong computational/AI expertise)

  • systems Engineering or Control Systems (with applications to large-scale projects)

  • artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (with interest in applications to megaprojects or governance)

• Demonstrated research expertise in one or more of the following:

  • AI/ML algorithm development (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn)

  • dynamic modelling and simulation of complex systems

  • reinforcement learning or graph neural networks

• proficiency in Python and related computational toolchains

• a strong interest in interdisciplinary research bridging project governance, systems thinking, and intelligent control

• excellent written and verbal communication skills

• a demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team

Desirable

• solid experience with advanced AI algorithms

• prior experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods

• familiarity with megaproject delivery models or complex infrastructure systems.

Work Rights

Visa sponsorship is available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement 

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. 

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. 

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.  

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard.  Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Chris Masaoka, Recruitment Operations by email to

The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

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