Postdoctoral Research Fellow - School of Computer Science - Te Kura Mātai Rorohiko - 32 month fixed term (Computational Models)

Location: Auckland City Campus, Auckland, New Zealand. Full-time, 40 hours per week, 32-month fixed-term position. Flexible employment practices include working from home and flexible hours.

Salary: NZ$99,788 per annum.

Company

The hirify.global is New Zealand's leading university, with a highly ranked Faculty of Science and extensive computational, laboratory, and analytical facilities.

What you will do

• Develop computational and mathematical approaches to understanding autonomous agency in living and artificial systems.
• Build and analyse models of operational closure, viability, semantic information, and emergent individuality.
• Use computational methods including agent-based modelling, dynamical systems simulation, network models, evolutionary models, and artificial chemistries.
• Develop rigorous formal frameworks for the emergence and organisation of agency.
• Collaborate with philosophers, systems biologists, physicists, computer scientists, and complex systems researchers.
• Communicate research findings to academic and wider audiences while contributing to an international research project.

Requirements

• PhD completed or nearing completion in computer science, artificial life, applied mathematics, theoretical biology, philosophy of biology, philosophy of mind, complex systems, or a related field.
• Experience with computational modelling or formal approaches to complex systems.
• Ability to work independently and contribute to a collaborative international research team.
• Ability to communicate research findings to academic and wider audiences.
• Interest in fundamental questions concerning life, mind, individuality, adaptation, and complex systems.

Nice to have

• Previous research experience in autonomy or agency.
• Experience working across disciplinary boundaries.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment with international partners.
• Flexible employment practices, including working from home and flexible hours.
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation contribution.
• Five weeks of annual leave and generous parental leave.
• Career development programmes, childcare, discounted car parking, and other service discounts.

Hiring process

• Submit an online application by 13 October 2026.
• Include a cover letter and CV with publications, preprints, teaching and service contributions, academic referees, and availability to start.
• Questions may be directed to Matthew Egbert; applications are not accepted by email.