Postdoctoral Fellow

About the role

The successful applicant will contribute independently or as part of a team to enhance the quality of research outcomes in the discipline area. They will conduct research, enable research teams to produce scholarly outputs recognized by peers, and participate in disseminating research outcomes through appropriate channels.

Responsibilities

• Contribute independently or as a team member in collaborative research with a focus on improving research outcomes in the discipline area.
• Undertake specific research projects under the guidance of a research leader and contribute to the development of research activities.
• Support the dissemination of research outcomes through appropriate channels and outlets.
• Undertake discipline-appropriate research activities such as surveys, literature reviews, data gathering, and result recording using appropriate research methods.
• Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
• Assist with 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 analyze the performance metrics.

Requirements

• A PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related discipline, with expertise in carbon nanomaterials.
• 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.
• Demonstrated knowledge and research experience in mass transport through graphene and graphene-based materials, including their applications in membrane separation, nanofluidics, or related technologies.
• Experience in mentoring HDR and honours students in materials research.
• Strong publication record relative to opportunity, with articles in high-impact journals.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines, and build effective relationships with both academic and industry partners.
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with a diverse range of stakeholders and students.

Qualifications

• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives, and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to mentor and supervise research students.
• Ability to conduct independent research with limited supervision.
• Ability to conduct advanced in-situ and operando characterisation of graphene-based materials.
• Ability to implement electrochemical testing protocols and analyze performance metrics.

Benefits

• $113K - $121K plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading.
• Fixed term – 2 years.
• Full-time (35 hours per week).

Pay

• $113K - $121K.

Schedule

• Full-time (35 hours per week).