Postdoctoral Fellow

About the role

The role is based at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, NSW, Australia. It is a full-time, fixed-term position for 2 years.

Responsibilities

• Contribute independently or as a team member in collaborative research with a focus to enhance the quality of research outcomes in the discipline area.
• Conduct research (as per the norms of the discipline) and/or enable research teams to create scholarly output that is recognised by peers.
• Undertake specific research project/s under the guidance of a research leader and contribute to development of research activities.
• Support the dissemination of research outcomes through appropriate channels and outlets.
• Undertake discipline-appropriate research activities, e.g. surveys, literature reviews, data gathering and/or recording of results using appropriate research methods.
• Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
• Aid in the supervision of research students in the research area where required.
• Lead the synthesis, functionalization, and intercalation of graphene and graphene-oxide materials including optimizing morphology, defect chemistry, and interlayer spacing to target enhanced mass transport and energy-storage performance.
• Conduct advanced in-situ and operando characterisation, including EC-TEM, synchrotron XANES/EXAFS, Raman, FTIR and XPS, to investigate the physical and chemical structure of the graphene-based materials.
• Implement electrochemical testing protocols (cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge, impedance spectroscopy) on graphene-based materials and analyse the performance metrics.

Requirements

To be successful in this role, you will have a PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics or a related discipline, with expertise in carbon nanomaterials. You must also have proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with developments in graphene-based materials, including recent advances in GO/rGO synthesis and functionalisation. Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality academic research and conduct independent research with limited supervision, including the independent conduct of experimental work, particularly in the field of 2D materials is also required. Knowledge of mass transport through graphene and graphene-based materials, including their applications in membrane separation, nanofluidics or related technologies is essential. Experience in electrochemical performance evaluation: CV, GCD, EIS for energy storage applications is necessary. Strong publication record relative to opportunity, with articles in high-impact journals is expected. Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships with both academic and industry partners is crucial. Highly developed interpersonal skills are also required. Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills is needed. An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines is necessary. Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training is required.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics or a related discipline, with expertise in carbon nanomaterials. They must have proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with developments in graphene-based materials, including recent advances in GO/rGO synthesis and functionalisation. Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality academic research and conduct independent research with limited supervision, including the independent conduct of experimental work, particularly in the field of 2D materials is also required. Knowledge of mass transport through graphene and graphene-based materials, including their applications in membrane separation, nanofluidics or related technologies is essential. Experience in electrochemical performance evaluation: CV, GCD, EIS for energy storage applications is necessary. Strong publication record relative to opportunity, with articles in high-impact journals is expected. Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships with both academic and industry partners is crucial. Highly developed interpersonal skills are also required. Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills is needed. An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines is necessary. Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training is required.