Research Associate - Climate

This Job is based in Australia

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

THIS ROLE IS LOCATED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

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. CCRC houses research expertise in the key areas of Earth's climate: atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial processes. We apply basic scientific principles to pressing questions on climate dynamics, global climate change, and extremes of weather and climate.

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.

Using existing observations, reanalysis, global and regional climate model ensembles and atmosphere/coupled model experiments, the Postdoctoral Research Associate will work with investigators within the Climate Systems Hub of the National Environmental Science Program to achieve these outcomes.

The role will contribute to the CSH project ‘High Resolution Rainfall Extremes’, which will do research into short duration rainfall extremes (sub-hourly), how they vary across Australia, what the past trends are, and how they will change in the future given climate change. The outcomes of the project will address identified gaps in the knowledge underpinning the Climate Change considerations in the Australian Rainfall and Runoff guidelines.

About The Role

• 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)

The Research Associate reports to Professor Jason Evans and has no direct reports.

Specific Responsibilities For This Role Include

• Contribute independently and as a team member in collaborative research, with other researchers among CSH partner organisations, with a focus to enhance the quality of research outcomes in high resolution rainfall extremes.
• Conduct research (as per the norms of the discipline) and/or enable research teams to create scholarly output that is recognised by peers.
• Contribute to the co-design and co-production of research projects through interaction with stakeholders during the research process.
• Maintain a strong focus on communicating research findings by publishing in highly ranked journals and presenting to peers at local, national and global conferences.
• Undertake specific research project/s under the guidance of a research leader and contribute to the development of research activities.
• Developing and running atmosphere and/or coupled climate model simulations using WRF or similar models.
• Analysing observations/reanalysis in relation to model simulations.
• Analysing 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 contributing to PhD supervision, 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 all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

About The Successful Applicant

(Selection Criteria)

• PhD in Physical Climate Science, Climate Modelling or 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) in an area listed in the position summary.
• 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 atmosphere 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.
• An 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.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact :

Jason Evans

E: [email protected]

Applications close: November 26th, 2025

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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.