Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Officer - Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation
Closing soon
Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation
Join a university ranked in the world's top 50
Collaborate with world-class colleagues and do work that will have a meaningful impact
Experience in advanced materials and membrane characterisation
Full-time, Fixed term for up to 3 years
Visa sponsorship is available for this position
Based at our vibrant and picturesque St Lucia Campus
About UQ
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 Opportunity
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will work with Professor Xiwang Zhang, Chair and Director of the UQ Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation, on research projects, to design and fabricate high-performance ion selective membranes using advanced materials as building blocks, and to explore potential applications electrochemical systems for green chemical synthesis (hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide), energy storage and conversion (ion- exchange membranes).
This project involves a series of interlinked tasks. These tasks include developing experimental procedures and research plans associated with advanced materials synthesis (2D materials, porous materials and polymers), membrane fabrication using either conventional methods (phase inversion and interfacial polymerisation) and emerging methods (self-assembling), module design (electrolysers and redox flow cells) and testing. This position will be involved in all facets of the projects and take a pivotal role in undertaking experimental work both in the laboratory and in the field, assembling and managing datasets, coordinating work with collaborators, and assisting with data analysis and writing.
Key responsibilities will include:
Research
Conduct research under limited supervision either as a member of a team or, where appropriate, independently to develop innovative membranes with enhanced performance and great potential for industry applications.
Design and operate advanced laboratory and technical equipment, carry out advanced research procedures.
Organise and attend meetings associated with research or the work of the organisational unit to which the research is connected.
Lead or participate in applications for competitive research funding to support projects and activities.
Student Supervision
Service and Engagement
Perform a range of administrative functions in the UQ Dow Centre and School of Chemical Engineering.
Contribute to the processes that enable the academic team to manage the work of the Centre and the School, including participate in Centre and School decision-making and serve on School committees.
Foster the Centre's and the School's relations with industry, government departments, professional bodies and the wider community.
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%, fixed-term position for up to 3 years at an 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. As this role is covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases – at least once a year.
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 You
A doctoral qualification or progress towards a doctorate in chemical engineering, materials engineering or a closely related field.
Rich experience in advanced materials synthesis (2D materials and polymer), membrane fabrication (ion-selective membranes), module design (electrolysers and redox flow battery) and testing.
Rich experience in advanced materials and membrane characterisation using advanced tools, such as SEM, TEM, XPS, etc.
Demonstrated analytical and manuscript preparation skills, including a track record of refereed research publications in high impact journals.
Ability to solve complex problems by using discretion, innovation and the exercise diagnostic skills and/or expertise.
Well-developed planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks and set and meet deadlines.
Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills with proven ability to produce clear, succinct reports, publications and grant proposals.
A demonstrated awareness of the principles of confidentiality, privacy and data management.
A demonstrated capacity to work in a collegiate manner with other staffs in the workplace.
Demonstrated experience in student supervision.
Industry experience in membrane manufacturing industry is desirable.
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 Professor Xiwang Zhang. 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 on Monday, 11 December 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (R-32442).
Job details
Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Officer - Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation
Employer
University of Queensland
Location
Australia
Published
November 15, 2023
Application deadline
December 11, 2023
Job type
Postdoc
Field
Chemistry,Engineering,Physics
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.