Research Associate - Materials Science & Engineering

About the Role

The Research Associate will contribute to a research project developing biopolymer-based energy harvesters that convert low-frequency mechanical motion into usable electrical power. This role is based in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at UNSW, Sydney, Australia, and sits at the interface of materials science and electrical/mechatronics engineering. The position is full-time (35 hours per week) for a fixed term of 3 years, offering a salary range of $113K - $121K plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading.

Responsibilities

• Contribute independently or as a team member in collaborative research to enhance the quality of research outcomes in the discipline area.
• Conduct research and/or enable research teams to create scholarly output recognized by peers.
• 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 recording of results using appropriate methods.
• Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project.
• Assist with the supervision of research students in the research area where required.
• Develop and validate test and measurement protocols for characterizing energy harvesting performance under realistic operating conditions, including impedance matching and maximum power measurement.
• Apply and refine electrical treatments such as DC poling and corona charging to biopolymer materials and systematically characterize the resulting electro-mechanical coupling and charge behavior.
• Design, build, and automate experimental test setups, including instrument control and data acquisition, to support device characterization and testing.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university.

Qualifications

• A PhD (awarded or nearing completion) in materials science, electrical engineering, mechatronics, applied physics, or a closely related discipline.

Skills

• Experience in the electrical characterization of materials or devices, such as impedance spectroscopy, dielectric measurements, or charge/current measurements using source-measure units or electrometers.
• Sound understanding of electro-mechanical coupling mechanisms (e.g., piezoelectricity, electrets, or related transduction phenomena).
• Good data analysis skills, including handling and interpretation of low-level electrical measurements.
• Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations relative to opportunity.
• Ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines, and build effective relationships.

Preferred Experience

• Experience building or automating experimental test setups, including instrument control and data acquisition (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, or similar).
• Experience with high-voltage electrical treatments of materials, such as corona charging or contact/DC poling.
• Familiarity with surface potential and charge decay measurement techniques (e.g., Kelvin probe).
• Experience characterizing energy harvesting devices, including impedance matching, maximum power measurement, or energy harvesting circuits and power management ICs.
• Experience with dynamic mechanical testing or coupled electro-mechanical measurements under cyclic loading.
• Circuit design, PCB prototyping, or embedded/low-power electronics experience.
• Working knowledge of polymers or soft materials and how processing affects their electrical and mechanical properties.
• Signal processing experience for low-level or noisy measurements.

Additional Requirements

• 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.

Contact: John Daniels, j.daniels@unsw.edu.au
Application Deadline: August 27th, 2026