About This Opportunity
Are you a talented researcher ready to make a real impact on understanding hail hazards in Western Europe? We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to play a leading role in an AXA Research Fund supported project, focusing on France, Switzerland, and Northern Italy. You will contribute directly to two key objectives: creating the first complete radar-based hail climatology for the region, mapping hail swaths for individual events over a decade of observations, and designing, developing, and training geostationary satellite-based hail retrievals. Your work will provide critical insights into hail hazards and support improvements in forecasting and risk assessment.
Throughout your appointment, opportunities will become available to gain some teaching experience and to supervise and mentor research degree students. You will collaborate closely with international researchers at AXA, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, MeteoSwiss, and regional weather services in Northern Italy, expanding your research network and building a strong professional profile while contributing to a high-impact, globally relevant project.
Key responsibilities will include:
Research
Conduct high-quality research by collecting and processing weather radar data for Western Europe and estimate hail footprints at high spatial and temporal resolutions.
Develop a comprehensive radar-based hail climatology for France, Switzerland and Northern Italy, including hail swaths per event across more than a decade.
Design, develop and train geostationary satellite-based hail algorithms using the radar-based hail climatology. Produce quality research outputs consistent with discipline norms by publishing in high-quality peer-reviewed journals, and contribute to project reporting requirements as needed.
Participate in the development of joint research projects and applications for competitive research funding, in collaboration with colleagues and external partners.
Contribute to the translation of research outcomes to end users, including potential commercialisation of UQ intellectual property.
Review and apply best-practice research methodologies in geospatial data science and climatology.
To actively engage with all research partners and to organise and lead regular meetings with AXA scientists and researchers.
This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.
About UQ
As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.
At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.
As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.
The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad: from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.
About You
PhD in Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, Physical Geography, Physics, Mathematics or related discipline.
An emerging research profile in radar meteorology and satellite data analysis.
Demonstrated high-level experience in processing of weather radar and satellite data.
Demonstrated high-level experience in machine and/or deep learning applied to geospatial data.
Demonstrated experience in the use of HPC and handling of very large datasets.
Experience in software development and contribution to packages in the area of geospatial data science.
Evidence of innovation in research with high-level skills in numerical data analysis and presentation of data.
A track record of publishing in reputable, peer reviewed scientific journals.
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.
Experience in liaising and collaborating with external agencies to develop co-operative research initiatives.
A good team player with an ability to establish effective professional relationships and to represent and promote academic discipline at a university and wider community level, including industry, government and professional bodies.
The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, education check.
You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.
Questions?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Hamish McGowan via h.mcgowan@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:
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 13 October 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-56172). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for late October.
