Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Membrane Technology)
Closing in 18 days
Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation
Join a university ranked in the world's top 50
Collaborate with highly awarded, world-class colleagues
Full time, fixed term position up to 3 years
Based at St Lucia Campus
As part of the UQ community, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.
As part of our commitment to research excellence, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and post-fellowship contracts via our UQ Amplify initiative.
At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. Not only do we have one of the largest PhD enrolments in Australia, but we have also made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.
About This OpportunityThis is an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work with Professor Xiwang Zhang, Dow Chair Professor & Director of the UQ Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation, on an ARC Linkage project with CSL Behring to design and fabricate high-performance chromatography membranes for protein separation and purification.
The Research Fellow will undertake breakthrough and transformative innovations to develop the next generation of membrane technology for production of biologicals. Working in collaboration with internal and external interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders, he/she will take part in technology acceleration and implementation. Extensive interactions with Industries, Vendors, Universities, CRO, CMO/CDMO to ensure alignment of interests and projects are delivered on-time and on-budget. The position will have the opportunity to solve problems and present recommendations to the industry with an effort to drive new innovative solutions to shape the future direction of membrane technology for processing of biologicals.
This project involves a series of interlinked tasks including membrane fabrication, module design and characterisation. This role will be involved in all facets of the project, from early stage prototype development through to scale-up, and undertaking experimental work both in the laboratory and in the field.
Key responsibilities will include:
Research
Actively seeking new opportunities and breakthrough solutions which have the potential to create high performance membranes for protein purification.
Conduct research within the scope of the project, under limited supervision, and ensure projects are delivered on-time.
Execute project plans, in collaboration with CSL Behring team, which include carrying out laboratory experimentation under GLP, analysis and dissemination of data.
Organise and attend internal/external meetings to provide research update.
Contribute to progressing towards transfer of knowledge, technology and practices to research end users through translation, including patent applications and scientific manuscripts.
Work with colleagues in the development of joint research projects and applications for competitive research funding support.
Supervision and Researcher Development
Contribute to the effective supervision and training of research postgraduate (PhD and Master) and undergraduate students.
Demonstrates personal effectiveness in supervision and the management of researcher development.
Service and Engagement
Perform a range of administrative functions in the UQ Dow Centre & School of Chemical Engineering.
Shows leadership of self through collaboration and active participation in priority activities for the unit.
Provide support to other academic positions and unit operations as needed during other team members absences.
This is a research focused academic position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ's Criteria for Academic Performance.
This is a full-time (100% FTE), fixed-term position for up to 3 years. At Academic level A. The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $74,308.68 - $99,426.59, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $86,941.16 - $116,329.11 annually.
The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad: from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.
About YouDoctoral qualification or progress in chemical engineering, materials engineering, or related field.
Expertise in membrane fabrication, polymer synthesis, module design, and testing.
Proficiency in NIPS and TIPS methods for membrane fabrication.
Skilled in advanced materials and membrane characterization using specialized tools.
Experience in protein separation and purification.
Strong problem-solving abilities, discretion, innovation, and diagnostic skills.
Effective planning, organizational skills, and multitasking with deadline adherence.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for reports, publications, and grant proposals.
Demonstrated awareness of confidentiality, privacy, and data management principles.
Proven ability to collaborate collegially, supervise students, and desirable industry experience in membrane manufacturing.
In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:
Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship may be available for this appointment.
Background Checks: All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.
Relocating from interstate or overseas? We'll support you with the visa sponsorship process and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia's Sunshine State here.
Questions?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Prof Xiwang Zhang ([email protected]). For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
Want to Apply?
All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
Resume
Cover letter
Responses to the ‘About You' section
Other Information
At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion. We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to [email protected]
If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.
Applications close Monday, 16th October 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (R-30397).
Job details
Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Membrane Technology)
Employer
University of Queensland
Location
Australia
Published
September 18, 2023
Application deadline
October 16, 2023
Job type
Postdoc
Field
Chemistry,Engineering
About the employer
The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions. UQ strive for excellence through the creation, preservation, transfer and application of knowledge. For more than a century, this university has educated and worked with outstanding people to deliver knowledge leadership for a better world.
Since it was founded in Brisbane in 1909, UQ has provided exceptional study experiences, research excellence and collaborative partnerships, coupled with an unforgettable lifestyle and stunning climate, to deliver knowledge leadership for a better world. With 3 campuses and more than 40 teaching and research sites, UQ is the perfect place to teach, research and study. Take advantage of the extensive UQ features including the largest research library in Queensland, hundreds of quality study spaces, several museums, a theatre, 11 college residences, and magnificent sporting facilities, such as swimming pools, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, sports fields, Olympic-standard running tracks, and gymnasiums.
Our high-quality range of around 390 undergraduate and postgraduate programs is one of the most comprehensive in Australia, providing students with the latest and most advanced disciplinary knowledge and industry placements informed by UQ’s world-leading research. UQ’s 6 faculties, 8 globally recognised research institutes and 100+ research centres attract an interdisciplinary community of more than 2,000 scientists, social scientists and engineers, who continue UQ’s tradition of research leadership.
As you enjoy Queensland’s stunning campuses and climate, you can also make the most of the University’s proximity to many natural wonders – including beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, outback deserts, the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the largest sand island in the world – and visit stunning tourist attractions within an hour’s drive, such as the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Byron Bay, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and the world-famous ‘Australia Zoo’. Within Australia, Brisbane is renowned as a friendly and affordable city, with plenty of dining and entertainment attractions, and was ranked by The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2019 Global Liveability Index as the world’s 18th most liveable city, achieving a perfect score for education and healthcare.