Jobs and Careers

Research Fellow in Economic Geology / Mineral Exploration / Geodata Analytics 

• Opportunity to provide research support in a meaningful project.
• Based in Hobart – relocation assistance considered.
• Full time, fixed-term position (3 years).

The University of Tasmania is undertaking a three-year research project entitled “Exploring, characterising, and optimising complex orebodies – Integrated deposit knowledge to add value across the Mining Value Chain”. The successful applicant will join a team of UTAS researchers working on this project. The project involves collaboration with AMIRA Global, 15 industry partners, Lakehead University, Universidad Austral de Chile, and Monash University.

The Opportunity

The appointee will work as part of the research team that is focussed on developing new tools for recognising proximity to high grade ore, and new tools, methods, and workflows for translating, integrating and upscaling mineralogical, geochemical, and hyperspectral data into quantitative mineralogy for complex orebodies of copper, gold, critical and other metals. The appointee will contribute to optimising orebody knowledge, mineralogical domaining and resource definition at the mine scale. Research activities involve field sampling and laboratory analyses to characterise trace element geochemistry of alteration minerals in a variety of mineral deposit types (Economic Geology / Mineral Exploration), and/or innovative applications of data analytics and machine learning to geochemical and hyperspectral datasets to aid exploration and improve orebody knowledge (Geodata Analytics). Research will be focussed on industry partners’ mine sites and/or advanced exploration projects, as prioritised by the research project management team. Expected activities include project planning and budgeting; extensive interaction with project and industry partners, fieldwork, and sample collection; laboratory analyses to characterise trace element metal distributions and deportment; analytical workflow development, and development of new exploration tools and / or characterisation workflows.

Key Accountabilities:

• Undertake project planning and budgeting; on-site fieldwork and sample collection; laboratory analyses to characterise mineral chemistry and generate and interpret hyperspectral data; analytical workflow development, development of new exploration tools for copper, gold and critical metal deposits, extensive interaction with project and industry partners; 6-monthly reporting to industry research sponsors; and supervision of HDR students.
• Make an effective and sustained contribution to the University in achieving its strategic objectives and fulfilling its operational responsibilities.
• Undertake high-quality research of national and increasingly of international standing, provide reports to the research project partners, publish research findings, contribute to the successful supervision of research higher degree students, and contribute to the securing of external competitive and other funding, to meet and regularly exceed the University’s research performance expectations for Level B.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of productive and effective links inside the University, locally, nationally, and internationally with the discipline, relevant interdisciplinary domains, profession, industry and/or wider community.
• Contribute to social media output and other community outreach strategies as required.

­Your Application

To be successful in the role, your application will need to demonstrate:

• A PhD or equivalent in a relevant field, with expertise in one or more of the following: Economic geology, mineral exploration, geodata analytics, data science, mineralogy, geochemistry, mineral chemistry, spectral geology
• A good record of, and continuing commitment to, research that has made worthwhile contributions to the field of Earth Sciences, demonstrated by a record of quality research outputs, presentations at conferences and preferably success in securing external competitive and other funding.
• Experience in conducting field and/or laboratory-based research.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver project outcomes, on-time, and in-budget.
• Demonstrated high-level English language oral and written communication skills.

Remuneration

Appointment to this role will be at Academic Level B and will have a total remuneration package of up to $142,799 comprising base salary within the range of $105,131 to $122,050 plus 17% superannuation.

COVID-19 Update:

The University of Tasmania recognises that this is critical for the workforce at the University to protect the safety of our workforce and vulnerable Tasmanians.

Applicants for this role must be prepared to provide evidence of Covid-19 vaccination as a condition of employment.

How to Apply

• Please refer to the attached Position Description below for full details.
• To apply online, please provide the following supporting documentation:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role
  • Your responses to the success criteria.
• For further information about this position, please contact David Cooke, Director - CODES, d.cooke@utas.edu.au or 03 6226 7605 Please visit https://www.utas.edu.au/jobs/applying for our guide to applying and details on the recruitment process.
• Please visit https://www.utas.edu.au/jobs/applying for our guide to applying and details on the recruitment process.

 PD-Economic Geology_Mineral Exploration_Data analytics-498749.pdf

Applications close Friday, 16 June 2023, 11.55pm