"Research Fellow"

Job Description:

• School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering – Faculty of EAIT
• Full-time, fixed-term position for 2 years
• Base salary will range from $114,824 - $136,048 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level B)
• Based at our St Lucia campus

About This Opportunity

The Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM) research group within the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering is seeking a Research Fellow to grow their expertise in multifunctional composite laminates, contributing to the development of high-performance antennas integrated into composite platforms. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your research profile, explore new collaborations, and contribute to cutting-edge solutions with real-world impact.

The successful candidate will lead research in multifunctional composite manufacturing for a National Intelligence Discovery Grant (NIDG) project, in collaboration with researchers in the School of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering who are focusing on antenna design. It is expected that you will start from fundamental investigations and shift towards practical designs and manufacturing requiring strong skills in fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composite processing and characterisation techniques. We are looking for a candidate with strong foundations in composite materials and a strong interest in electromagnetics and other multifunctional properties of materials to drive this work and explore new research and collaboration opportunities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research & Innovation – Develop and characterise advanced polymer matrix composites with tailored electromagnetic properties, exploring novel processing techniques, multifunctional laminate designs, and practical integration challenges.
• Collaboration & Funding – Drive multidisciplinary partnerships with academia, government, and industry while identifying and securing new research funding opportunities.
• Publication & Dissemination – Deliver high-quality research outputs through reports, journal publications, and active participation in project meetings and knowledge exchange.
• Supervision & Service – Supervise and mentor students, contribute to research training, and engage in leadership, committee, and service activities within the School and University.

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

About You

• PhD in the field of mechanical engineering, materials engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, materials science (or closely related field), with a specialisation in composite materials.
• An emerging profile in research in the discipline area.
• Demonstrated expert knowledge in composite material processing and manufacturing.
• Good understanding of mechanical and thermal characterisation of composite materials.
• Proficiency in experimental techniques for manufacturing and testing composite materials.
• Knowledge in antenna technologies and experience in investigating multifunctional properties in composite materials, especially electromagnetic properties is a bonus.
• Evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and effective presentation at conferences.
• Evidence of contributing towards obtaining external research funding is an advantage.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively and establish a rapport and good working relationships with students, staff and industry partners.
• A proven ability to work independently, manage time and prioritise demands.
• High attention to detail and a methodical but expeditious approach to research work.

Please note, due to NIDG project requirements, it is a requirement of this position that applicants are Australian citizens or permanent residents. You therefore must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. The successful candidate will also be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including right to work in Australia and an education check.