OPTIMA Postdoctoral Research Fellow, AI in Optimisation Full-time

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, AI in Optimisation

Role type: Full Time, Fixed Term (15 Months)
Faculty: Faculty of Science
School: School of Mathematics and Statistics
Salary: Level A: $87,266 – $118,416 p.a. plus 17% super

Cutting edge AI optimisation research within ARC Training Centre OPTIMA / Strong industry collaboration and real world impact / Collegial, multidisciplinary team at Melbourne Connect

Join OPTIMA to shape next-generation AI optimisation tools, publish at the highest level, and build industry partnerships.

Investing in you – 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity You will drive exploratory research at the intersection of AI and optimisation within ARC Training Centre OPTIMA.

You will integrate AI tools into optimisation software, collaborate with industry, and co-supervise talented Masters and PhD students.

You will gain mentoring, publishing and networking opportunities in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary team at Melbourne Connect.

What you will deliver:

• Advance cutting edge research on AI methods for model-based and black-box optimisation aligned with OPTIMA priorities.
• Develop, test and maintain open-source optimisation tools, integrating AI methods, instance space analysis and MiniZinc where appropriate.
• Publish high quality journal and conference papers, and present research at seminars, conferences and industry engagements.
• Co-supervise and mentor honours, Masters and PhD students, supporting timely thesis completion and impactful research outputs.
• Build collaborations with industry partners and OPTIMA colleagues, contributing to funding proposals, workshops and centre governance activities.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold or approach completion of a PhD in applied mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering or related discipline.
• Possess strong knowledge of AI tools, including machine learning methods and generative AI platforms, applied to optimisation.
• Demonstrate research excellence in optimisation or related fields, evidenced by quality publications relative to opportunity.
• Offer expertise in one or more areas such as operations research, constraint programming, evolutionary computation or machine learning.
• Show experience supervising or mentoring research students and collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams or industry projects.
• Exhibit potential to contribute to competitive grant applications and to engage productively with external partners and stakeholders.

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your new team – School of Mathematics and Statistics You will join OPTIMA, an ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre uniting researchers and industry to tackle complex optimisation challenges. Based in the School of Mathematics and Statistics within the Faculty of Science, you will collaborate with leading experts across mathematics, computer science, engineering and industry. Working from Melbourne Connect, the University's innovation precinct, you will benefit from outstanding facilities, strong mentoring, and a vibrant cohort of postdoctoral fellows and students committed to impactful, collaborative and inclusive research.

Be Yourself The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at oied-hr@unimelb.edu.au.

Application essentials:

• Visit “apply with us” to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
• Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.
• Please upload your responses to the Selection Criteria, found in the Position Description.

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position or for questions related to our recruitment process email Lachlan Bryce at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au
• For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').

Apply today, and join a community that's shaping the future.

Applications close: Sunday 28 June 2026 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.