About the opportunity
The Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR) is one of the largest robotics research institutes in the world, with over 100 members including faculty, research fellows, technical staff, and postgraduate students.
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher who will contribute to sustainable development initiatives that support community needs in the Mekong Region. The position blends technical development with strategic coordination of multiple stakeholders, including government bodies, local universities, NGOs, and experts in economics, policy, gender studies, and agricultural systems.
As a Postdoctoral Researcher, your role will be to lead technology design and development, engage with stakeholders, and foster effective communication across disciplines. You will work alongside specialists in economics, policy, gender studies, and agriculture, ensuring that technical solutions align with broader social, environmental, and market considerations.
Your key responsibilities will be:
* To develop, refine, and test electrified and 'smart' enhancements to two-wheel tractors, integrating sensors, software, and control systems that advance local farming practices for precision agriculture.
* To collaborate closely with experts across the University, including the Faculties of Agriculture, Social Sciences, and Economics, who contribute critical agronomic, socioeconomic, and policy insights.
* To engage regularly with local engineers, technicians, farmers, and NGOs, adapting solutions based on their input, facilitating training, and supporting the effective adoption of new technologies.
* To contribute to strategic project planning, manage timelines, and maintain transparent communication channels, bridging technical developments with stakeholder priorities.
* To supervise student projects, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and present findings at conferences, illustrating how people-centred design and technology integration can drive sustainable agricultural transformation.