Postdoctoral Research Fellow / Research Officer

About This Opportunity

The University of Queensland’s Centre for Hypersonics is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow / Research Officer to contribute to a high-impact experimental and computational hypersonics research program. Working within a collaborative, ambitious and globally connected research environment, this role supports a US Air Force funded project focused on generating unique validation data for a novel air chemistry scheme under extreme hypersonic conditions. You will work with world-class facilities, including UQ’s X2 expansion tube, alongside leading researchers and international collaborators to deepen understanding of high-temperature gas behaviour relevant to hypersonic vehicles.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research: Conduct and supervise experimental campaigns using the X2 expansion tube, including driver and test condition design, advanced diagnostics, data analysis, and targeted facility upgrades. Perform hypersonic chemically reacting Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to support experimental design and interpretation and produce high-quality research outputs in leading outlets.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Contribute to the supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, fostering a positive, safe and high-performing research culture.
• Citizenship and Service: Demonstrate UQ values through collaboration, participation in unit activities, internal service roles and the development of emerging external partnerships with industry, government and research organisations.

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

About You

You will bring curiosity, technical depth and a collaborative mindset, along with:

• Completed or near completion of PhD in the field of experimental hypersonics or a closely related field, with emphasis on high-enthalpy flows.
• Demonstrated experience conducting experiments on medium and/or large-scale hypersonic test facilities and analysing facility diagnostic data.
• Expertise in advanced hypersonic diagnostic techniques, including setup, operation and upgrade.
• Capability in designing driver and test conditions for impulse facilities and applying engineering design principles to facility development.
• Experience performing hypersonic chemically reacting CFD and interpreting results to generate physical insight.
• A developing publication record in high-quality outlets and willingness to contribute to competitive research funding applications.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary, international research team.
• Commitment to a positive safety culture and alignment with UQ’s values.