Senior Research Engineer (SKA)

• Contribute to the construction of the Square Kilometre Array, the world’s largest and most powerful radio telescope, and help uncover the mysteries of the universe.
• Level 7, full-time appointment on a 1-year fixed term basis.
• Base salary range: $95,737 – $106,223 p.a. (pro-rata) plus 17% superannuation.

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

About the team
ICRAR is a WA State funded high profile equal joint venture established in 2009 between Curtin University and The University of Western Australia (UWA). The Centre’s headquarters are located at UWA, with research nodes at both UWA and Curtin. ICRAR is one of the lead Australian organisations participating in the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Project. ICRAR has been further funded from 2019 to 2024 with $60 Million by the WA State Government and equal contribution from the Joint Venture Universities. ICRAR is one of the largest astronomy organisations in Australia.

The Astrophotonics Group at ICRAR is focused on designing, building, and testing advanced
photonic systems with applications in radio astronomy, optical astronomy, and space science. The group combines research expertise from people with a broad range of backgrounds including astronomy, physics and engineering. The group’s core technological capability is the long-distance transfer of stabilised optical-frequency signals, and microwave-frequency signals, and timing signals, transmitted across optical fibre networks and free-space laser links.

About the opportunity
As the appointee you will, under general direction, provide support in the design, build, and test an optical fibre-based frequency distribution system tailored to meet the scientific needs and logistical challenges of the SKA; as well as develop this technology for application to other high precision use-cases across space science and astronomy research fields. You will work in the Astrophotonics group at ICRAR and collaborate with the SKA Office and other partner organisations. This hardware development and production role includes office-based design tasks as well as laboratory-based prototyping and testing. The resultant hardware will be mass manufactured and deployed on the SKA-Mid telescope.

About you
To be considered for this opportunity, you will demonstrate:

• Relevant tertiary qualification or demonstrated equivalent competency.
• Extensive experience in electronic engineering including low noise analogue electronic design, RF & microwave electronics design and Microprocessor / FPGA / digital system design and programming.
• Substantial experience with EDA software, ideally Altium Designer.
• Substantial experience with PCB technology, including materials, manufacture, assembly, testing, and quality assurance processes.
• Substantial experience with prototyping and hand soldering including SMT components.
• Experience with PLL design and optimisation.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and perform electronics testing in a laboratory environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and demonstrated ability to set priorities and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, show initiative and work productively as part of a team.
• Experience with optical fibre technology is desirable.

About your application
Full details of the position's responsibilities and the selection criteria are outlined in the position description:   POSITION DESCRIPTION Senior Research Engineer - Position Number 319978 - Level 7 (5).pdf .

You are required to address the selection criteria in your submission in a separate document. For information to assist you with compiling statements to answer the selection criteria, please visit Addressing the selection criteria .

You may also submit an additional statement (1 page max) outlining any personal circumstances which should be considered when assessing your application. Applicants who have experienced periods of academic/professional interruption or other relevant events can include a description of achievements relative to opportunity in this statement.

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Thursday, 7 March 2024.

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Sascha Schediwy on (08) 6488 3430 or at [email protected] .

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

Application Details: Please apply online via the Apply Now button.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity
UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We celebrate difference and believe diversity is fundamental to achieving our goals as a globally recognised Top 100 educational and research institution. We are committed to creating a safe work environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community and people living with disability.

• We have a globally competitive, gender neutral parental leave policy with 26 weeks paid leave after 12 months service and 36 weeks after 5 years.
• We have on-campus childcare facilities for children aged 6 weeks to kindy.
• We facilitate flexible working, with part-time and job-sharing arrangements considered.
• We have an ongoing partnership with Pride in Diversity and were recently awarded a Bronze Employer status for LGBTIQA+ inclusion.
• We have Athena SWAN Bronze accreditation and actively work to improve gender equity.

Should you have any queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. Alternatively, contact the Talent team at [email protected]  with details of your query. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number and a member of the team will respond to your enquiry.

Advertised:22 Feb 2024 W. Australia Standard Time
Applications close:07 Mar 2024 11:55 PM W. Australia Standard Time