Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

Ko te whare Pūtaiao | The Faculty of Science at the University of Auckland is the largest and most highly ranked science faculty in New Zealand. The Faculty of Science is ranked among the top 90 science faculties worldwide by the QS World University Rankings. The 10 departments and schools that form the Faculty of Science represent the breadth and diversity of science in our modern world.

Our staff and students can connect with our flagship groups including Tuākana, Rainbow, Women of Colour, Māori, Pacific, Muslim, and Disabled Staff network and our Waipapa Marae.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to help develop new computational and mathematical approaches to understanding autonomous agency — how living and artificial systems maintain themselves, regulate their own viability, adapt, and develop forms of intrinsic and emergent agency.

You’ll work closely with Dr Matthew Egbert and an international network of collaborators from the University of Rochester, Santa Fe Institute, University of British Columbia, Dartmouth College, and the Basque Foundation for Science.

You’ll join an exciting, interdisciplinary research project bringing together philosophers, systems biologists, physicists, computer scientists and complex systems researchers. Your work will focus on developing and analysing models of operational closure, viability, semantic information and emergent individuality, with the goal of developing rigorous formal frameworks for understanding how agency can arise and be organised in living and artificial systems.

We’re looking for someone who is comfortable building and analysing computational models, using approaches such as agent-based modelling, dynamical systems simulation, network models, evolutionary models, artificial chemistries or related methods. Experience studying autonomy or agency before is preferred but not required. What’s important is a strong interest in using computational or formal approaches to explore fundamental questions about life, mind, individuality, adaptation and the organisation of complex systems.

This is an opportunity to contribute to ambitious, interdisciplinary research, collaborate with leading researchers internationally, and develop your research profile in a highly collaborative environment.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week), 32-month fixed-term position.

The remuneration is $99,788 (RF1) per annum

For more detailed information on the role, accountabilities, and requirements, please review the Position Description 

He kōrero mōu | About you

You’ll have a PhD completed or nearing completion in a relevant field such as computer science, artificial life, applied mathematics, theoretical biology, philosophy of biology, philosophy of mind, complex systems or a related discipline.

You might bring experience in areas such as:

• agent-based modelling
• dynamical systems simulation
• network or evolutionary models
• artificial chemistries
• information-theoretic approaches
• or other computational approaches to complex systems.

You’ll be comfortable working independently while also contributing to a collaborative international research team, communicating your findings to both academic and wider audiences, and ideally have experience working across disciplinary boundaries.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. 

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave

In addition, we also offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare, and a number of other discounts on internal and external services. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date, 13th October 2026, to be considered.

The application must include:

• Cover Letter and CV, including a list of publications and preprints, a summary of teaching and service contributions, and the names of people who can provide academic references, plus an indication of availability to start if successful.

Please reach out to Matthew Egbert (Senior Lecturer in Computer Science) via [email protected] for a confidential conversation. Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications by email.

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Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz