Scientific Officer

• The Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis (CMM)
• Join an organisation with a meaningful purpose and impact
• Train clients on SEM use and sample prep, provide testing services for non-autonomous users.
• Based at our picturesque St Lucia Campus

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting, real-world impact.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
• Access to flexible working arrangements
• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
• On campus childcare options
• Discounted parking (from just $5.75 a day)
• Salary packaging options

About This Opportunity  

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Scientific Officer to apply their subject matter expertise and advanced knowledge of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA), Xray analysis and relevant sample preparation techniques. You will have demonstrable affiliation with teaching and supporting clients as this is a public facing role.

The Scientific Officer will be part of the Materials Characterisation Team within the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis (CMM). This role is to train clients to become proficient in the use of our SEM equipment and teach them how to prepare samples that are suitable to the equipment. In addition, this role will provide testing services for clients who are not trained to use the equipment autonomously.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Facilitating Training and provide instruction for both CMM clients and staff in SEM, Advanced SEM (high resolution FE-SEM with stage bias and in-lens detectors) and microanalysis (EBSD, EPMA) including sample preparation and laboratory safety.
• Providing support for client research projects in SEM, Advanced SEM and microanalysis and relevant sample preparation through the provision of expertise and advice.
• Delivering routine SEM, Advanced SEM and microanalysis including sample preparation services for preliminary/feasibility testing on behalf of new users.
• Conducting sample preparation, measurements, image collection, basic data analysis and reporting for and to clients on a fee for service basis in SEM, Advanced SEM (high) resolution (FE-SEM) and microanalysis (EBSD, EDS, EPMA) and X-ray analysis techniques such as XRD or X-ray spectroscopy.
• Support of Research & Development projects in novel experiments related to SEM, advanced SEM and microanalysis, sample preparation, improved workflows or analysis methods – including supporting approved R&D projects of CMM Staff.
• Teaching of SEM, advanced SEM, microanalysis and sample preparation instruments through lecture series, workshops, technique schools (e.g. Summer Schools), demonstrations for lectures etc. Includes preparation time for events as needed.
• Responsibilities for the coordination of preventative and emergency maintenance of SEM and EBSD infrastructure (including instruments for the full workflow: sample preparation, data collection and post processing).

This is a Part-time (60%), Continuing (Permanent) position, at HEW Level 6. The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $88,099.39 - $94,512.08 plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range $103,076.28 - $110,579.13 per annum.  

About You

• A degree combined with subsequent relevant experience in Material Sciences, Geology, Chemistry, Engineering or similar fields

• Sound knowledge of SEM, advanced SEM (FE-SEM with in-lens detectors), microanalysis (EBSD and EPMA), X-ray characterisation, JEOL EPMA software, and Oxford EBSD software along with their applications in a diverse range of fields (e.g. biology, metallurgy, geology, engineering, etc.).

• Demonstrated ability to effectively disseminate knowledge to diverse audiences, whether through dynamic group sessions or personalised training sessions.
• Knowledge of general maintenance of SEM instruments including software upgrades and filament exchange as well as equipment required for sample preparation and other workflow related activities.
• Thorough familiarity with safety protocols and operational procedures for maintaining a secure laboratory environment at UQ, in alignment with the university’s Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with clients by telephone, email and in person
• Ability to prioritise own workload, work independently and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to upholding the University’s values, and with the outstanding personal qualities of openness, respectfulness and integrity.
• Must hold or obtain licences relevant to QLD Health Radiation Use Licence for the operation of analytical X-ray equipment.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not 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. 

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Roger Wepf at [email protected]

For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject line. 

Want to Apply? 

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

• Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section

• Resume 

Please note that you will be asked to add all documents into the one upload box during the application form.

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 our 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 Sunday 9 June 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (R-36988). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for mid-June 2024.