Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Officer - School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of EAIT

• School of Chemical Engineering, ­Faculty of EAIT

• Join a university ranked in the world’s top 50

• Enhance materials synthesis

• Development of Metal Organic Framework (MOF) glass and glass composites

• Based at our vibrant and picturesque St Lucia Campus

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

About This Opportunity 

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team in the development of Metal Organic Framework (MOF) glass and glass composites. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in the fields of catalysis and membrane separation.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will be responsible for designing and synthesizing MOF-based glass materials and their composites with desirable properties for catalytic and membrane separation applications. Your primary focus will be on exploring novel synthetic approaches and optimizing the structure and composition of MOF glasses to enhance their catalytic activity and selectivity, as well as their separation performance.

Key responsibilities will include: 

Research

• Undertake research in the field of metal-organic framework glass synthesis, with aim of responsive ligands and moiety development.

• Investigate emerging glass materials and develop their applications.

• Produce high-quality research outputs consistent with discipline norms by publishing or exhibiting in top-tier outlets.

• Participate in applications for competitive research funding to support projects and activities.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to develop of joint research projects.

• Apply for competitive research funding support.

Supervision and Researcher Development

• Contribute to the effective supervision of research assistants and Honours and Higher Degree by Research students (as appropriate).

• Demonstrate personal effectiveness in supervision and the management of researcher development.

• Effective lead and develop supervise performance and conduct by providing feedback, coaching, and professional development.

• Develop external links and partnerships in the wider community.

• Manage research support staff effectively throughout the employee lifecycle in accordance with University policy and procedures, as appropriate.

• Working to promptly resolve conflict and grievances when they arise in accordance with University policy and procedures.

Citizenship and Service

• Demonstrate citizenship behaviours that align to the UQ values.

• Shows leadership of self through collaboration and active participation in priority activities for the unit

• Provide support to other academic positions and unit operations as needed during other team members absences.

• Contribute to internal service roles and administrative processes as required, including participation in decision-making and service on relevant committees.

• Collaborate in service activities external to the immediate organisation unit.

• Begin to develop external links and partnerships by cultivating relationships with industry, government departments, professional bodies and the wider community.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance .

This is a full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 2 years at an Academic level A. The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $77,324.85 - $102,945.12, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $90,470.08 - $120,445.79 annually. As these roles are covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases in line with the Enterprise Agreement.

The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad:  from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

About You  

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in chemical science or chemical engineering discipline area.

• An emerging profile in research in the metal-organic framework area.

• Evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.

• Some experience in meaningful internal service roles and contributions towards external activities.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: Visa sponsorship may be available for this appointment.

• Background Checks: All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits. 

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We will support you with the visa sponsorship process and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here .  

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Associate Professor Jingwei Hou . For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply? 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Resume

• Cover letter

• Responses to the ‘About You’ section

Other Information 

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion .  We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity , LGBTQIA+ , cultural and/or linguistic , Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples , or people with a disability . Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to [email protected] .

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.

Applications close on 15 May 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (R-37525).