Geoscience Modelling Engineer

• Part-time (0.5 FTE), 3 years fixed term, located on the Camperdown Campus at the School of Geosciences

• Work on one of the world's most ambitious Earth system modelling initiatives

• Base Salary, HEO10 $162,528 (pro rata) p.a + 17% superannuation 

About the opportunity

An exciting opportunity exists for a Geoscience Modelling Engineer to join the QuESt (Quantitative Earth Systems) Lab within the School of Geosciences at the University of Sydney as a Geoscience Modelling Engineer. Working within the groundbreaking EarthLab program, delivered in partnership with BHP, you will contribute to the development of the world's most comprehensive whole-Earth modelling framework designed to improve understanding of how Earth systems control the formation and preservation of copper deposits.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of computational geoscience, collaborating with leading researchers and industry partners to develop advanced modelling tools that integrate plate tectonics, mantle convection, landscape evolution, climate systems and biosphere processes into a unified computational framework.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• develop and maintain advanced geoscience modelling software and code frameworks

• contribute to the delivery of the EarthLab whole-Earth system modelling environment

• collaborate with EarthLab researchers and BHP Exploration teams on modelling initiatives

• support the integration of geodynamic, climate and landscape evolution models

• enhance and maintain community research tools used by the geoscience community

• contribute to research outputs and innovation in quantitative Earth systems science

• assist HDR students, researchers and postdoctoral staff with modelling workflows and code development.

This position provides a rare opportunity to:

• work on a globally significant research initiative with direct application to mineral exploration

• partner with leading academic researchers and industry experts

• contribute to high-impact scientific discoveries and publications

• develop cutting-edge computational tools that will be used by the international geoscience community

• be part of a vibrant and collaborative research environment at Australia's leading university.

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 Geoscience Modelling Engineer who has:

• a PhD (or near completion) in computational geodynamics, tectonics, landscape evolution, palaeoclimate science or a closely related discipline, or equivalent industry experience

• demonstrated experience developing and maintaining geoscience modelling software

• expertise in one or more numerical geoscience areas including plate tectonic reconstructions, thermomechanical modelling, palaeoclimate modelling and/or landscape evolution modelling

• strong scientific programming capability in Python, C/C++ or similar programming languages

• a proven record of publishing and developing geoscience modelling codes

• experience working with complex computational modelling frameworks and large geoscience datasets

• a demonstrated ability to support collaborative research programs and multidisciplinary teams.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations 

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University.  Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. 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 LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. 

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum 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 Simon Drew, Recruitment Operations, Human Resources at recruitment.sea@sydney.edu.au

© The University of Sydney

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

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Wednesday 30 September 2026 11:59 PM