Research Fellow (A) - Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilisers

About the role

Adelaide University's School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at the Waite Campus is seeking a Research Fellow (A) to join a collaborative team developing next-generation fertiliser technologies for improved phosphorus and potassium crop nutrition. The role is based in the Fertiliser Technology Research Centre (FTRC), reporting to its director, and involves laboratory and glasshouse experiments to support scalable, commercial solutions for farmers in Australia and internationally.

The fellowship is a full-time fixed-term contract until February 2031, within a multi-party funded project with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), The Mosaic Company (USA) and Omnia Specialties Australia. It focuses on formulating phosphorus and potassium fertilisers, investigating and optimising their release kinetics in different soils and crop uptake, and examining their behaviour under varying storage and handling conditions.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory and glasshouse experiments to improve crop performance
• Develop fertiliser formulations and optimise release kinetics and crop uptake
• Analyse and interpret data using advanced technical methods
• Present research findings to industry partners and the wider agricultural sector
• Collaborate with researchers, students and industry partners in a multidisciplinary environment

Required profile

• PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, material science or soil chemistry, or equivalent qualifications
• Evidence of research contribution to the chemical behaviour of phosphorus or potassium fertilisers and/or soil-related compounds
• Experience designing laboratory and glasshouse experiments, including statistical analysis and interpretation of data
• Experience operating advanced laboratory and technical equipment
• Experience collaborating with researchers, external industry partners and colleagues
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to present research to industry partners
• Ability to supervise support staff and research students
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and understanding of wellbeing and safety principles, especially for laboratory chemicals

Required skills

• Desired: experience in nanotechnologies and/or mechanochemical synthesis methods
• Desired: experience in fertiliser chemistry and fertiliser behaviour in soils

What we offer

• Salary range Level A: $103,962 - $111,384 per annum plus 17% superannuation
• Fixed-term position until February 2031

Applications close on 12 November 2026; candidates submit a CV and cover letter through the university's online application form.