(Level A) $98,574.53 to $105,611 per annum plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation applies.

Fixed-term position available for 24 months

Be part of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space and contribute to world-leading research projects.

 

The successful applicant for this role will contribute to the development of appropriate legal and ethical frameworks to support P4S activities, including the identification and articulation of clear guidelines on the ethical and legal frameworks which may be applied to regulate plant growth and use both on and off-Earth. The role will explore existing legal, ethical, economic, and regulatory frameworks that govern P4S research to ensure that they remain safe and compliant within the evolving domestic and international regulatory context. Based on an extended analysis of the applicable international law, and scientific, technical and legal guidelines, the successful applicant will be part of a team that will identify key issues regarding optimum location, placement, and environment to inform design decisions for P4S projects. The role will involve analysing and applying existing law, as well as making recommendations for law reform.

Project work will include:

• The identification and articulation of the applicable domestic and international frameworks for legal compliance of P4S innovations, including licensing and other regulations affecting the growth and use of plants in space and on the surface of the Moon and other celestial bodies, including space law and laws relating to Genetic Modification.
• articulating and influencing legal and technical frameworks to provide guidance for the design and deployment of off-Earth plant and food production systems, ultimately leading to a co-operative approach to a sustainable and peaceful presence in outer Space, and deployment of new sustainable production systems on Earth.
• Participation in the provision of advice to the relevant authorities to refine and expand the influence of these frameworks into policy to ensure the safe and ethical use of new technologies.
• Work with P4S investigators and partners to contribute practical insights directly into the ongoing improvement of these global guidelines, including international bodies such as the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS)
• provide a sound legal analysis to underpin a leading role for P4S and Australia in the development of new laws, rules, and norms for plant use.
• Engaging with ethical issue and participating in developing an understanding of First Nations involvement and attitudes towards use of space.

The tasks of the Postdoctoral Researcher will include:

• Engage in collaborative research;
• Develop and publish high quality research outputs, including journal articles, books and conference papers
• Developing and delivering public engagement and education
• Assist with identifying and obtaining additional research income
• Support the CI team in developing research projects, outlines and plans, as well as compliance tools such as reporting obligations and ethics approvals.

This exciting role will contribute to ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space’s goal to re-imagine plant design and bio-resource production to support long-term habitation in Space and solve sustainability challenges on Earth.

 

To be successful you will need:

1.   A completed or nearly completed PhD in Law, with a focus on domestic and international space law being highly desirable.

2.   Evidence of publication of high-quality research outputs

4.   Fluency in written and spoken English, with an ability to communicate scientific and legal concepts to an expert audience

5.   Strong work ethic, and the ability to work well independently, and as a member of a broader team, including with industrial partners

6.   commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.

 

Desirable characteristics:

1. Academic publications in law and/ or space.
2. Evidence of ability to attract research income.
3. Some knowledge of genetic modification principles such as a biology degree.

 

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space is a >$90 million initiative led by the University of Adelaide with more than 35 partners across Australia and around the world. P4S aims to create on-demand, zero-waste, high efficiency plants and plant products to address grand challenges in sustainability for Space and on Earth. The multi-disciplinary team in plant, food, and sensory science; process and systems engineering; law and policy; and psychology will deliver transformative solution for Space habitation – and create enhanced plant-derived food and bioresources to capitalise upon emergent and rapidly expanding domestic and global markets. Anticipated outcomes include industry uptake of innovative plant forms, foods, technologies, and commodities; and an ambitious education and international co-ordination agenda to position Australia as a global leader in plant-based research supporting Space habitation. Find out more at www.plants4space.com

The University of Adelaide is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaborations - offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.

It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature - not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour - provides a constant source of inspiration.

Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.

We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life. Flexible working arrangements are on offer for all roles at the University.

In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include: salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/jobs

Your faculty’s broader role

The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The Faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance.

Your faculty's broader role

As a member of Australia’s G08, the University of Adelaide is recognised as one of the nation’s most respected research-intensive universities, challenging and inspiring graduates to make a real difference. The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) holds an outstanding reputation for teaching, research, and quality graduates. Comprised of eight schools, 21 centres and five institutes, the Faculty of SET is responsible for teaching over 8,500 students across our three campuses, North Terrace, Waite and Roseworthy, and has an annual budget of $300 million. The faculty is a significant contributor to the University’s research reputation, earning annual research revenue above $120 million. Many of our research areas have achieved a world-class research rating of 5 in the 2018 ERA rankings. The faculty is responsible for teaching and research across wide range of disciplines including Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Architecture, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, Agriculture, Food and Wine and Animal and Veterinary Science. The Faculty of SET is an innovative and agile working environment that champions excellence, diversity and inclusion in our teaching, research, and global engagement leadership.

Learn more at: set.adelaide.edu.au

How To Apply

Click on the link below to view the position description and to apply for this position:

careers.adelaide.edu.au/cw/en/job/514315/arc-grantfunded-researcher-aplants-for-space-law-and-ethics

Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description.

 

***Applications close 11:55pm (South Australia time), Sunday 11th August 2024***

 

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

Professor Melissa de Zwart, Professor Space Law and Governance, Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources,

E: melissa.dezwart@adelaide.edu.au
 

The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

The University of Adelaide is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.