The Opportunity
Join an ARC-funded research project developing numerical methods to simulate the flow of dense viscous liquids through a deformable granular mush. The project aims to improve fluid-dynamical understanding of how magmatic ore deposits form. Such deposits contain critical minerals including nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum-group elements that underpin the global transition to Net Zero.
You will be responsible for developing novel numerical methods to model continuum problems in a two-liquid/granular medium and for interpreting the results physically. These models will capture how a dense fluid migrates, spreads and becomes trapped within a deformable, yield-stress material. Working alongside a co-supervised PhD student and the wider investigator team, you will build and extend simulation tools to explore droplet migration, instability and gravity-driven flows within this setting. There is scope to bring your own perspective to the numerical approach, and your work will feed directly into peer-reviewed publications in leading fluid mechanics journals and presentations at both specialist and general conferences.
The position is part of an interdisciplinary team spanning applied mathematics and economic geology and is based in the School of Mathematics at Monash University. You will work closely with A/Prof Anja Slim at Monash, Dr Edward Hinton at the University of Melbourne and A/Prof Duncan Hewitt at the University of Cambridge. The position includes extended visits to Cambridge's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. You will also have regular opportunities to work with the project's economic geology team, testing your models against real field and experimental data and seeing your results feed directly into questions about how magmatic ore deposits form and where they might be found.
This is a chance to help develop some of the first physical models of how magmatic ore deposits form. Despite their economic importance, these systems remain largely unexplored from a fluid-dynamical perspective, offering substantial scope for fundamental new insights.
About Monash University
At Monash, work feels different. There’s a sense of belonging, from contributing to something ground breaking – a place where great things happen.
We value difference and diversity, and welcome and celebrate everyone's contributions, lived experience and expertise. That’s why we champion an inclusive and respectful workplace culture where everyone is supported to succeed.
Some 20,000 staff work for Monash around the world. We have 95,000 students, four Australian campuses, and campuses in Malaysia and Indonesia. We also have a major presence in India and China, and a significant centre and research foundation in Italy.
In our short history, we have skyrocketed through global university rankings and established ourselves consistently among the world's best tertiary institutions. We rank in the world’s top-50 universities in rankings including the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Together with our commitment to academic freedom, you will have access to quality research facilities, infrastructure, world-class teaching spaces, and international collaboration opportunities.
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Monash supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements. We have a range of policies in place enabling staff to combine work and personal commitments. This includes supporting parents.
To Apply
Applicants should submit the following documents::
- Cover Letter (max 1.5 pages): Detail your suitability for the role and explicitly address Key Selection Criteria 3, 4, and 5. (Note: Candidates lacking direct experience with criterion 5 are still encouraged to apply and may highlight equivalent relevant experience.)
- Research Statement (max 1 page): Summarize your current research achievements and future research objectives.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include your academic degrees, publication record, contact details for three professional referees, and a brief note on your field's publication conventions (e.g., author order).
Applicants nearing PhD completion are welcome to apply; any job offer will be contingent upon fulfilling all requirements for the PhD award.
For instructions on how to submit an application, please refer to 'How to apply for Monash Jobs'.
Diversity is one of our greatest strengths at Monash. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, and people of all genders, sexualities, and age groups.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process at Monash. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please contact us at [email protected] in an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments Request' for a confidential discussion.
Your employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all pre-employment and/or background checks required for the role, as determined by the University.
Enquiries: Associate Professor Anja Slim, School of Mathematics and School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment ([email protected])
Position Description: Research Fellow
Applications Close: Monday 5 October 2026, 11:55 pm AEDT
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