Casual Research Officer (Food Process Modelling and Consequential LCA)

• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation 

• Casual position with an hourly rate in the range of $64.28 to $68.96, plus superannuation of 12% (HEW Level 6).
• Based at our St Lucia location

Join a collaborative research environment where you will help assess the environmental impacts of emerging food pathways. As the Research Officer, you will develop food process models and undertake consequential life cycle assessment (LCA), with a focus on sorghum foods such as flour, porridge and baked products.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Develop and adapt process models in SuperPro Designer, including mass and energy balances, resource requirements, product recovery, losses and co-products.
• Develop consequential LCA scenarios in SimaPro, considering system boundaries, supply, substitution and co-product effects.
• Assess literature, supplier and project data, validate model outputs, and document key assumptions and uncertainties.
• Analyse and communicate findings through sensitivity analysis, technical summaries and research outputs, and provide process inputs to the techno-economic assessment team.

You will bring strong quantitative and analytical skills, with experience in process modelling, environmental assessment and technical data. You will ideally have:

• A relevant degree in agriculture, chemical, biochemical, food process or environmental engineering, or a related quantitative discipline, with relevant experience.
• Experience using process modelling software such as SuperPro Designer, including mass and energy balances and unit operations.
• Experience using LCA software such as SimaPro to develop life cycle inventories and conduct LCA, including consequential modelling or substitution analysis.
• Ability to assess system boundaries, marginal suppliers, co-product treatment, scale, yield and uncertainty assumptions.
• Strong data management and analytical skills, including reproducible calculations and consistent management of units, datasets and model files.
• Ability to evaluate technical evidence, solve modelling challenges and communicate findings clearly to researchers and industry collaborators.
• Experience in cereal or food processing, Australian agricultural supply chains, industrial process data or model validation would be highly regarded.
• Familiarity with technical reporting or publications, and R, Python or MATLAB would be advantageous.

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds from around the world in an environment where interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged. Working at UQ means joining an inclusive and connected community committed to creating positive change through research, education and community impact.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Associate Professor Sudhir Yadav, sudhir.yadav@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.

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume and cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

As a casual employee, and in line with Fair Work, please note that there is no commitment to ongoing work in this position.

Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia, criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

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.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ, and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing talent@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close Monday 7 December at 11.00pm AEST (R-70644). Please note applications will be reviewed as received. Candidates may be interviewed prior to the job closing date. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. The University of Queensland reserves the right to close this application process early.