Senior Research Associate

This Job is based in Australia

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

The School of Materials Science and Engineering is one of the top ranked Materials programs in the Asia-

Pacific regions and strongly positioned in every facet of materials science and engineering. It offers undergraduate programs in Materials Science and Engineering (Honours), as well as a number of combined degree programs with Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Commerce.

The Senior Research Associate (Level B) is expected to carry out independent and/or team research within the Physical Metallurgy Laboratories in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at UNSW Sydney and to carry out activities to develop their research expertise relevant to the field of high entropy brasses and bronzes.

About The Role

• $127K - $150K plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 12 months
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

The role reports to Associate Professor Kevin Laws and has no direct reports.

Specific Responsibilities For This Role Include

• Contribute independently or as a team member in collaborative industry-based research with a focus on the design, development and commercial application of advanced high entropy brasses and bronzes, particularly for plumbing or dual-use free-machining applications.
• Carry out independent and joint fundamental and applied metallurgical research on the commercial development and processing of high entropy brasses and bronzes.
• Create scholarly impact in the discipline which is recognised by peers in the advancement of disciplinary knowledge.
• Conduct research/scholarly activities under limited supervision, either independently or as a member of a team (as per the norms of the discipline).
• Establish a personal research portfolio and start developing independent research proposals.
• Contribute to the development of applications for competitive funding under the guidance of senior colleagues.
• Participate as co-investigator or chief investigator in competitive grant applications, or show evidence of active participation in research collaborations funded by competitive grants.
• Design related research activities on commercialisation outcomes for high entropy brasses and bronzes for the plumbing sector and/or ancillary/alternative dual-use technologies for free-machining applications.
• Mentor and guide students and colleagues and develop the next generation of academics through involvement in supervision of HDRs (as per the norms of the discipline).
• Assist with program/project management, the operation and maintenance of the relevant laboratories.
• Engage appropriately, independently or as a team member with industry/commercial project partners in establishing their research requirements and project/process trouble-shooting.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

About The Successful Applicant

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A PhD in physical metallurgy or a related discipline, and relevant postdoctoral work experience in the areas of alloy design, development and processing, preferably in the field of high entropy alloys.
• Experience in lab-based metal processing technologies including alloy charge preparation, induction melting/alloying, arc-furnace melting, casting, and thermo-mechanical processing.
• Experience in lab-based metals sample preparation and characterisation methods such as general optical/electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, harness/tensile/mechanical testing.
• Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and developments.
• Demonstrated track record in research with outcomes of high quality and high impact with clear evidence of the desire and ability to continually achieve research excellence as well as the capacity for research leadership.
• A track record of significant involvement with the profession and/or industry.
• High level communication skills and ability to network effectively and interact with a diverse range of students and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal and organisational skills.
• 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.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact :

Kevin Laws

E: [email protected]

Applications close: January 22nd, 2025

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Pre-Employment Checks

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:-

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

Find Out More About Working At UNSW At

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.