"Postdoctoral Fellow"

The Opportunity

The School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications in the Faculty of Engineering at UNSW’s has an opportunity for a Postdoctoral fellow. In this role you will contribute to the research and development of a deployable electrodynamic tether for spacecraft applications.

This position offers the opportunity to advance your scholarly research and professional activities on both national and international levels. You will contribute to the writing of scientific papers and reports for international journals, participate in conferences and workshops, supervise HDR students, and actively collaborate with industry partners.

This role will report to Professor Andrew Dempster and has no direct reports.

• Salary, Level A Step 6 – AUD $117,877 per annum + 17% superannuation
• Full time
• Fixed-term contract – 6 months
• Location: Kensington – Sydney, Australia

About UNSW

UNSW is a world‑leading institution recognised for its scale, prestige, and impact. With strong industry engagement and partnerships across sectors, UNSW provides a unique environment where academic expertise translates into real‑world outcomes. The university is home to cutting‑edge research that drives innovation and societal progress, while its excellence in teaching ensures students are prepared to lead in their fields. For academics, UNSW offers an outstanding platform to flourish — combining world‑class facilities, collaborative networks, and a culture of innovation that supports both career growth and meaningful contributions to the wider community.

The UNSW School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications is one of the largest and most prestigious schools of its kind in Australia. In the last 70 years, our school has grown from a purely teaching institution to one that has made important contributions to the development of electrical engineering in Australia and globally. The School is prominent within the Faculty of Engineering, currently with over 1500 students and 43 academic staff, with an operating budget of around $18 million. For further information about our School, please visit - https://www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/our-schools/electrical-engineering-telecommunications

Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated track record of research in space weather and electrodynamic tether design.
• A PhD in a related discipline, and/or relevant work experience.
• Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and developments.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality academic research and conduct independent research with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations relative to opportunity.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with a diverse range of stakeholders and students.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Additional details about the specific responsibilities for this position can be found in the position description. This is available via JOBS@UNSW.

To Apply:

Please click the apply now button and submit your CV, Cover Letter and Responses to the Skills and Experience. You should systematically address the Skills and Experience listed within the position description in your application.

Please note applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed below.

Contact:

Professor Andrew Dempster – Director of the Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research

E: a.dempster@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: 11:55 pm (Sydney time) on Friday 16 January 2026

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.