"Research Associate"

Research Associate

• Faculty of Science & Engineering
• Perth, Western Australia
• Contract Full Time

Date posted: 9/3/2026

• One-year fixed term, full-time position with possibility of extension
• Ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide (ARWU 2025)
• Work directly with world‑class researchers & national supercomputing facilities

Job Reference: 1483609

About the Role:

You will be joining an exciting industry-funded research project with Draslovka Mining Process Solutions, supported through the Australian Government’s Trailblazer Universities Program and the Department of Education. The project focuses on developing cutting-edge computational methods to advance Draslovka’s proprietary Glycine Leaching Technology (GLT) process.

As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will play a pivotal role in developing a computational framework to predict the solution-phase structure and stability constants of metal-ligand complexes formed during metal extraction in glycine leaching processes. This work will advance both the fundamental chemical understanding of GLT and the application of molecular modelling to hydrometallurgy and mining challenges. The overarching objective of this project is to develop computational models that can predict how effectively glycine-based solutions extract precious metals from ore, enabling the identification of optimal leaching conditions and expand the range of metals that can be processed using GLT.

The work will involve integrating and evaluating machine learning techniques, with a focus on efficiency and accuracy, and leveraging high-performance computing resources. You will collaborate closely with industry partners and leading international experimental and computational research groups. This position offers the unique opportunity to contribute to the development of a new metal extraction technology that provides a safer, more sustainable, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional processes.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting high-quality research on the suitability of available methods to model metal-ligand complexes in water, with a focus on machine learning techniques.
• Applying such methods on model systems to predict their structure and equilibrium constants
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams of computational and experimental chemists
• Communicating research progress and findings to industry partner through reports and presentations, and to the research community through conference presentations.
• Writing and co-authoring peer-reviewed journal publications.
• Contributing to grant applications for competitive funding opportunities.
• Providing effective supervision and guidance to undergraduate and/or postgraduate students conducting research.
• Mentoring junior Research staff.
• Engaging in collaborative activities with team members, industry partners, affiliated associations, and the wider research community to advance project goals and foster professional relationships.

Who we are looking for – Selection Criteria:

Essential:

1. A PhD in chemistry or relevant field (e.g., physics, chemical engineering, materials science)
2. Demonstrated experience in developing computational methods and workflows for chemical problems and experience using simulation software
3. Demonstrated experience with various computational chemistry techniques: DFT-, force-field- and/or molecular-dynamics-based methods
4. Demonstrated subject/discipline knowledge of intermolecular interactions, fundamental theoretical chemistry concepts
5. Demonstrated experience in programming/automation of computational workflows
6. Track record of peer-reviewed publications and scientific communication, with demonstrated writing skills
7. Demonstrated high-level organisational and communication skills as part of a team environment

Desirable:

1. Experience with machine learning techniques
2. Experience in a field (or field adjacent to) geochemical sciences, hydrometallurgy, physical chemistry, electrochemistry, and/or analytical chemistry (vibrational spectroscopy)
3. Experience on industry-funded projects

Role Requirements:

• As this is a fixed-term contract, you will require current work rights in Australia that match the tenure of this role. We will also consider international candidates who are eligible for a relevant visa.
• Successful applicants are subject to a National Police Clearance, and background, integrity, and reference checks to Curtin’s satisfaction.

Your new Team – School of Molecular and Life Sciences (MLS):

Curtin University is a globally recognised leader in computational materials science and crystal growth modeling, providing an ideal environment for this research. You’ll work directly with A/Prof Raffaella Demichelis and Prof Paolo Raiteri as part of the Trailblazer-funded project “Improving Glycine Leaching Technology (GLT) processes through understanding its solution chemistry”, but more broadly within the supportive team at the School of Molecular and Life Sciences, with opportunities for collaboration with the research expertise in computational chemistry and molecular modelling of Prof. Julian Gale, Dr. Peter Spackman and the rest of the school. Curtin University is a partner of the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, and this project will involve direct use of the world class-resources offered as part of Australia’s National Computational Infrastructure.

We also work closely alongside our colleagues within the discipline and within the school, which comprises the disciplines of chemistry, agriculture and food, and ecology. We are an ambitious, multi-disciplinary and industry-focussed team that seek to equip our students and graduates with the skills they need to make tomorrow better. Academics from different disciplines work together to perform high quality teaching and support each other in achieving at the highest possible levels in all aspects of academic life.

For more information, please visit the following websites:

https://www.curtin.edu.au/about/learning-teaching/science-engineering/school-of-molecular-life-sciences/

https://nci.org.au/our-services

https://pawsey.org.au/

Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace:

At Curtin University, we are passionate about fostering an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment in which all people feel respected, valued and safe. Curtin is dedicated to promoting gender equity and inclusivity in all areas. We are proud of our achievements to date and recognise that there is that there is more to do to improve employment outcomes for women and people of diverse gender identities, particularly in STEMM disciplines.

As an Athena SWAN accredited institution, we celebrate diversity and actively work to advance the representation of women and gender-diverse people in STEMM areas and empower individuals so they can thrive in their careers through a range of supportive initiatives, including leadership training, mentorship for early career progression and promotion, networking opportunities, and other professional development resources.

As reflected in the Athena Swan Charter, gender equality is a broader issue that extends beyond barriers affecting women alone, and we are committed to addressing these challenges holistically.

Additionally, we offer staff a competitive remuneration and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• 17% superannuation, plus a variety of salary packaging options.
• Paid Parental leave (26 weeks for the primary caregiver and 3 weeks for non-primary) subject to eligibility criteria outlined in the Enterprise Agreement; personal leave (14 days) and annual leave (20 days)
• Enjoy 12 Public Holidays each year (including Easter Tuesday!), and 2 extra University Days over the Christmas/New Year Period (see EBA 51.1 and 51.9).
• Breastfeeding facilities and campus-based childcare (where priority of placement is given to Curtin staff and students)
• Flexible work arrangements including return to work provisions
• On-campus medical centre
• Academic Carer Support Scheme and other diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives detailed via the below link.

We believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation and drive excellence, and we encourage women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of diverse gender, sex and sexuality, people with disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of STEMM together and making tomorrow better.

To find out more about our comprehensive diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives, please visit https://www.curtin.edu.au/about/values-vision-strategy/diversity-equity/gender-equity-and-inclusion/

About Curtin University

Curtin University proudly stands among the top one percent of global universities according to the ARWU 2025 rankings. We are an energetic, dedicated team of academics and professionals working together to provide global solutions through quality graduates and innovative research. Curtin is a welcoming space where integrity, respect for one another, courage, excellence, and impact are essential to everyday life. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information, please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page - https://staff.curtin.edu.au/discover-curtin/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-curtin/

What We Offer You:

This fixed term ALA level role attracts a remuneration of $104,917 - $112,487 + 17% superannuation.

Situated on Whadjuk Nyungar Country, our vibrant Bentley campus includes an art gallery, gym, childcare and medical centre, bus station, accessible parking and endless food options including a supermarket. Aside from the vibrant campus life, we offer more than just a job. Curtin offers a wide range of generous benefits, including additional leave, salary packaging, health and wellbeing services and an array of discounts for retail, travel and much more.

For more reasons to work at Curtin, please visit https://staff.curtin.edu.au/discover-curtin/

Join us!

If this sounds like your next role, please click APPLY NOW ensuring to attach the following documents:

• Up -o-date Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience - no more than 2 pages
• A document addressing the selection criteria for the role (noted above)

If you have any queries in relation to this opportunity or the application process, please contact our careers team on CurtinCareers@curtin.edu.au or 08 9266 9000 (option 3,1), quoting the reference number. Applications will not be accepted via this email address, and late applications will not be accepted.

Applications close: 8.30pm (AWST), Monday, 30 March, 2026.

Please note we are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies at this time.

_Curtin reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw from the recruitment process, remove the advert, not to make an appointment, or to appoint by invitation, at any time._