Senior Research Associate - Materials Science and Engineering

University of New South Wales; Sydney; On-site; AUD 133,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of New South Wales invites applications for a Senior Research Associate in Materials Science and Engineering. The role focuses on independent or team research in advanced materials and manufacturing, with emphasis on physical properties and high‑throughput fabrications for electronic, energy harvesting, and catalytic applications.

The successful candidate will lead and mentor HDR students, manage laboratory infrastructure, ensure safety, and contribute to grants and collaborations

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science and Engineering or related discipline, and/or relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated experience supervising HDR students at Master and PhD levels.
• Proven track record in functional materials research with high-quality outputs.

Responsibilities

• Engage in independent and/or collaborative research in advanced materials and manufacturing.
• Develop high-throughput fabrications of multifunctional materials for various applications.
• Mentor HDR students and manage laboratory infrastructure and safety.
• Contribute to competitive funding applications and lead research proposals.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Team collaboration

Research leadership

Laboratory management

Education

PhD in Materials Science and Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Senior Research Associate - Materials Science and Engineering

University of New South Wales - Sydney NSW

• 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 is expected to carry out independent and/or team research under the broad scope of advanced materials and manufacturing, with a specific focus in, but not limited to, physical properties characterisations of functional materials, advanced material fabrications with solid state reaction, vacumm-depsotions, and printing technologies. The position will focus on developing next-generation advanced high-throughput fabrications of multifunctional materials for electronic, energy harvesting, catalytic and many other applications.

About the role

• $133K - $156K plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term - 4 years
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Engage in individual and/or collaborative research in a manner consistent with disciplinary practice.
• 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 research projects.
• 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).
• Manage UNSW key laboratory, user training and create an effective system-based schedule to ensure efficient usage for the day-to-day activities of printing equipment. The activities in laboratory management include to create and update safety work procedures, Risk Management Forms and managing relevant safety protocols in the laboratories.
• Conduct all required monitoring, maintenance, and calibration to ensure functioning of equipment and facilities.
• Establish partnerships with the leading manufacturing companies.
• Strengthen collaborations with other research organisations.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the School and 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
(selection criteria)

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A PhD in Materials Science and Engineering or related discipline, and/or relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and operating key laboratory infrastructures for material research, such as physical and magnetic property measurement systems, thin-film fabrications, solid-state and/or wet-chemical material synthesis facilities, and printing equipment.
• Demonstrated experience supervising higher-degree-research students at both Master and PhD levels.
• Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and developments.
• Demonstrated track record in research in the area of functional materials (e.g., thin solid films, electronic materials, energy materials, and catalysts) 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.
• 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.

Applications close: October 22nd, 2026

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 www.unsw.edu.au

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.

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