"Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Fellow"

Job Description:

• School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 2 years
• Base salary will be in the range $82,057.75 - $109,246.18 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A)
• Base salary will be in the range $114,824.05 - $136,048.72 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level B)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Fellow to advance their expertise and build a strong, emerging research profile within Electrical Engineering. The role also provides an exciting opportunity to engage with the solar farm industry to develop and validate methods to enhance reliability of large solar farms. The role will focus specifically on research and development for solar farm operation and maintenance—an area with significant potential for innovation and impact.

The successful candidate will be supported and mentored by senior research staff, with the expectation of growing autonomy over time. In addition to research responsibilities, the role also includes meaningful contributions to service and engagement activities, fostering collaboration across the university and industry.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research: Development and validation of predictive maintenance algorithms for solar farms. Interface with industry partners for knowledge sharing and feedback. Play a key role in reporting to the funding organisation Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA). Develop an independent and/or team research program to achieve national recognition and impact in the research area. Establish a research program, collaborate on research projects, seek and manage research funding, publish in reputable journals, utilize best practice research methodologies, and participate in project discussions.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Supervise students, recruit and manage employees, provide performance feedback and training, resolve conflicts, and ensure correct remuneration and benefits.
• Citizenship and Service: Develop partnerships, demonstrate leadership through mentoring, engage in internal service roles and committees, perform administrative functions, provide support to colleagues, and uphold university values.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.

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.

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

• Completion of a PhD in Electrical Engineering with a focus on renewable energy systems, or an equivalent combination of tertiary qualifications, minimum 3 years of industry experience, and demonstrated technical expertise in electrical engineering and renewable energy systems. Demonstrated skills in programming in Python, R and sound abilities in AI and data analytics
• A developing reputation and track record of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.
• Evidence of successfully seeking, obtaining and managing external research funding or technical projects.
• A growing record of supervision of Honours and Research Higher Degree students to successful completion.
• Experience in meaningful internal service roles in conjunction with active contributions to external activities

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, education check.

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.