Research Associate - Materials Science and Engineering

About the Institution

This opportunity is based in Sydney, Australia, at one of the nation's premier research and teaching universities. The School of Materials Science and Engineering ranks among the top in the Asia-Pacific region and offers undergraduate and combined degree programs spanning materials science, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, and commerce. The campus fosters an inclusive community and vibrant environment, promoting impactful collaborative work.

Role Overview

The appointed Research Associate will contribute to a project focused on developing biopolymer-based energy harvesters capable of converting low-frequency mechanical motion into electrical energy. Bridging materials science and electrical/mechatronic engineering, the role involves owning measurement, treatment, and optimization of functional materials and devices related to energy harvesting.

Key Responsibilities

• Work independently and collaboratively to enhance research quality within the discipline.
• Conduct research activities aligned with disciplinary norms, generating outputs recognized by peers.
• Participate in and contribute to specific research projects under leadership guidance.
• Engage in disseminating research findings through suitable channels and forums.
• Perform literature reviews, data collection, and manage research results using established methods.
• Present findings at relevant conferences and workshops as necessary.
• Assist with supervision of research students in related domains.
• Develop and validate protocols for testing energy harvesting performance under real-world operating conditions, including tasks like impedance matching and measuring maximum power output.
• Implement and improve electrical treatment techniques such as DC poling and corona charging on biopolymer materials, systematically characterizing their electro-mechanical coupling and charge properties.
• Design, construct, and automate experimental setups incorporating instrument control and data acquisition for device characterization and testing.
• Adhere strictly to the institution's Code of Conduct and values, while complying with all health and safety policies to ensure a secure environment for oneself and others.

Candidate Requirements

• A PhD awarded or near completion in materials science, electrical engineering, mechatronics, applied physics, or a closely allied field.
• Proven experience in electrical characterization techniques such as impedance spectroscopy, dielectric measurements, and measurement of charge/current using advanced instruments including source-measure units or electrometers.
• Thorough understanding of electromechanical coupling phenomena like piezoelectricity and electrets.
• Competence in data analysis and interpretation of low-level electrical measurements.
• Publication record and conference presentations relative to experience.
• Ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams and foster collaborative relationships.
• Expertise or knowledge in building and automating experimental test systems with instrument control and data acquisition software (e.g., Python, LabVIEW).
• Experience with high-voltage material treatments such as corona charging and DC poling.
• Familiarity with surface potential and charge decay measurement techniques like Kelvin probe methods.
• Exposure to energy harvesting device characterization including impedance matching, power measurement, and power management integrated circuits.
• Experience with dynamic mechanical and coupled electro-mechanical testing under cyclic loads.
• Skills in circuit design, PCB prototyping, and embedded or low-power electronics.
• Knowledge of polymers and soft materials and how their processing influences electrical and mechanical properties.
• Signal processing skills for handling low-level or noisy electrical data.
• Commitment to institutional objectives, policies, and health & safety responsibilities.

Additional Information

• This is a fixed-term, full-time role over 3 years, working 35 hours per week.
• Salary range is AUD $113,000 to $121,000 plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading.
• The university is committed to equal opportunity employment and fosters diversity and inclusion in all recruitment stages.
• Support is provided for diverse workforce needs including flexible work and leave arrangements, and assistance for carers.