Hypersonics, Vehicle Design and Applied High Speed Flows (4 positions available)

• Remuneration range $88,917 to $148,185 pa
• Full-time fixed term - various appointment terms
• Toowoomba campus or Springfield campus

Building on its strengths as Australia’s leading regional University, UniSQ’s vision is to be renowned for innovation and excellence in education, student experience, research and engagement. Guided by our core values of respect, integrity and excellence, the University’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025 outlines our commitment to creating and sharing knowledge, transforming lives and solving the problems that matter to our world.

Together with international partners such as NASA, DLR (German Space Agency) and Boeing, our Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences (IAESS) is leading the way in several space related fields including hypersonics and rocketry, astrophysics and advanced materials.

You will join the Hypersonics and Rocketry Group https://www.unisq.edu.au/research/institutes-centres/iaess/centre-for-hypersonics-and-rocketry , a flagship group within the UniSQ, hosting Australia’s only long-duration hypersonic wind tunnel. In recent years the group has experienced substantial growth and has been very successful in winning competitive grants and forming international collaborations and partnerships. The group is a leading part of the iLAuNCH Trailblazer, which is part of the Australian Governments investment to build Australia’s sovereign space capability by addressing critical gaps and accelerating development of a space technology sector.

What you’ll do

The purpose of these positions is to expand the capability and capacity of the Hypersonic and Rocketry group to conduct both fundamental and applied research in the areas of hypersonics, high-speed fluid dynamics and related fields. You will contribute to fundamental research in high-speed (compressible) flow, including simulation, experimentation, and relevant diagnostics techniques and contribute to industry focused research, including applying high-speed flow simulations, experiments, and diagnostic methods or related techniques to address industry problems.

We are looking at research fellows interested and experienced in working on one or multiple of the following projects.

• Project A: Model-informed Digital Twins for Gas Turbines and Hypersonic Vehicles
• Project B: Enhanced hypersonic aerodynamics and stability models through Hardware in the Loop ground tests in TUSQ
• Project C: Surface preparation for coatings and adhesives for space componentry
• Project D: Development of an AI/ML-enabled space surveillance mission for hypersonic missile defense

Across the projects you will have opportunities to engage in the following research activities:

• Simulation of hypersonic flows, high speed flows, aero-thermodynamics, radiation, multi-physics, and other phenomena.
• Development of simulation codes, models, and optimisations algorithms.
• Design and mission evaluation of hypersonic vehicle concepts.
• Experiments and development of diagnostics methods for hypersonic ground test in the TUSQ wind tunnel.
• Simulation of dynamic systems including gas turbines and high speed vehicles.
• Application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to fluid dynamics and system modelling.

What will help you succeed

Together with your qualification in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a relevant discipline you will have:

• Professional experience, or demonstrated deep knowledge, in the following areas:
  • Testing, analysis, or simulation of high-speed (compressible) flows.
  • Experience with high-speed (compressible) flows.
  • Experience in the advanced use and/or development of multi-physics simulation codes.
  • Experience in conducting experimental test campaigns, including: model design, design of experimental campaign, data acquisition (incl optical), data analysis, and reporting of results.

• Skills, experience, and deep knowledge relevant to one or more of the projects described above.
• High level oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, relating well to people at all levels using diplomacy, tact and sound judgement, with an ability to build constructive and effective relationships.
• Australian Citizenship is mandatory for Projects A and D at the time of application.

Please refer to the Position Descriptions and Project Scoping document for additional information.

Please note that appointments will be made to the position title of Research Fellow (High Speed Flows).

For further information about this role, please contact Associate Professor Ingo Jahn, via +61 7 3470 4385 or [email protected].

The University offers a range of different ways of working and connecting across our physical and virtual spaces to meet the needs of our students, partners and community. We value diversity and strive to foster an inclusive environment that is underpinned by our values and champions, embraces and respects differences.

We support and encourage applications from all diversity groups. With an increasingly diverse workforce, we understand that careers may be placed on hold or limited throughout many life circumstances.

Find out more about UniSQ at www.usq.edu.au .

Reference Number: 0003_01/24

Location: Toowoomba or Springfield campus

Term: Full-time fixed-term appointment (37.5 hrs/week)

Project A – 1 year

Project B – 3 years

Project C – 2.5 years

Project D – 2 years

Part-time working arrangements may be considered.

Salary: Appointments will be made at Level A or Level B, dependent on qualifications and experience.

Level A: Total remuneration range $88,917 to $119,286 pa (includes salary range of $75,130 to $100,791 pa, employer superannuation contributions of 17% of salary and annual leave loading)

Level B: Total remuneration range $125,372 to $148,185 pa (includes salary range of $105,933 to $125,209 pa, employer superannuation contributions of 17% of salary and annual leave loading)

Closes: Sunday, 31 March 2024

At UniSQ, we are united by our core values of Respect, Integrity and Excellence, which guide our daily actions and decision making.

If you know that this role is right for you, please submit your current resume together with a two-page (maximum) statement, outlining your skills and experience relative to ‘Who we’re looking for’ in the position description.

For more information on how to apply please refer to our website - Your recruitment journey

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