Research Fellow in Chemical Engineering

Research Fellow in Chemical Engineering

• UQ Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation 

• Join a university ranked in the world’s top 50

• GETCO2 Project

• Full-time (100%), Fixed term for up to 3 years

• Based at our vibrant and picturesque St Lucia Campus

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will 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.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

About This Opportunity 

The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide (GETCO2) gathers a critical mass of expertise to tackle the world’s biggest challenge – carbon dioxide. Led by Professor Xiwang Zhang, GETCO2 is a $45M, 7-year collaboration funded by the ARC, university, industry, and government partners. Our national university partners are The University of Queensland, Griffith University, University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, RMIT, Monash University and University of Adelaide. GETCO2 is the world’s largest research endeavour focusing on conversion of CO2 into useful products such as fuels and chemicals. Acting as a focal point for research, training, technology translation and advice, GETCO2 is positioned as a global leader in carbon dioxide transformation. The Centre aims to generate long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits by building capacity and capability to address national and international net-zero obligations.

This position, based at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, is for 3 years and is responsible for designing and fabricating high-performance ion exchange membranes for CO2 electrolyser. You will lead and participate in various aspects of the project, including polymer synthesis, membrane fabrication, characterization, module design, and testing. Your responsibilities will encompass research, student supervision, collaboration with stakeholders, publishing, grant applications, and administrative contributions. GETCO2 provides a collaborative working environment across a national network and supports flexible, family friendly work practices. 

Key responsibilities will include: 

Research

• Conduct research under limited supervision either as a member of a team or, where appropriate, independently to develop innovative high performance ion-exchange membranes for CO2 electrolysers.

• Design experiments, collect and analyse experimental data.

• Collaborate effectively with team members, industry partners and collaborators.

• Communicate research findings through comprehensive reports and oral presentations.

• Contribute to impactful publications and patents.

• Lead or participate in grant applications to secure internal and external funding.

Supervision and Researcher Development

• Assist in supervising PhD, Master students and undergraduate students.

• Demonstrate a track record of the effective supervision of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students.

• Demonstrates personal effectiveness in supervision and management and development of researcher capability and skill.

• Facilitate engagement opportunities for Higher Degree by Research supervisees.

• Effective lead and develop supervisee performance and conduct by providing feedback, coaching, and professional development.

• Working to promptly resolve conflict and grievances when they arise in accordance with University policy and procedures.

Citizenship and Service

• Contribute to administrative functions in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide.

• Demonstrate behaviours that align to the UQ values.

• Shows leadership of self and others through mentoring, 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.

• Effectively and efficiently manage internal service roles and administrative processes as required, including participation in decision-making and service on relevant committees.

• Collaborate in service activities external to the immediate organisation unit.

• Actively pursue and develop external links and partnerships by cultivating relationships with industry, government departments, professional bodies and the wider community.

This is a research focused 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 Academic level B. The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $108,201.26 - $128,201.75, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $126,595.47 - $149,996.05 annually. As these roles are covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases in line with the Enterprise Agreement.

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  

• PhD in 

• , materials engineering, chemistry, or related fields.

• Track record of successful ion exchange membrane (AEM, PEM or bipolar membranes) design and fabrication.

• Demonstrated expertise in electrochemical CO2 conversion.

• Strong track record of high impact publications in top journals.

• Expertise in advanced materials and membrane characterisation techniques.

• Strong problem-solving skills, innovation, and diagnostic expertise.

• Excellent planning, organization, and multitasking abilities.

• Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills with proven ability to produce clear, succinct reports, publications and grant proposals.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for reports, publications, and grants.

• Demonstrated awareness of confidentiality, privacy, and data management principles.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively and supervise students.

Desirable:

• Industry experience in membrane manufacturing.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. 

• Background Checks: All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a educational and/or 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 will 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 via xiwang.zhang@uq.edu.au. For application queries, please contact talent@uq.edu.au 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, people with a disability, or age. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to talent@uq.edu.au.

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 Sunday, 30 June 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (R-38945).

In your application, please refer to Polytechnicpositions.com