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About the Role

The Research Associate will contribute to a research project focused on developing biopolymer-based energy harvesters. This role involves materials science and electrical/mechatronics engineering, with a focus on measuring, treating, and optimizing materials as functional devices. Responsibilities include developing rigorous test and measurement strategies, applying electrical treatments, and characterizing electro-mechanical coupling to maximize power output.

Responsibilities

Contribute independently or as a team member in collaborative research to enhance research outcomes.
Conduct research and enable research teams to create scholarly output recognized by peers.
Undertake specific research projects under the guidance of a research leader and contribute to research activities.
Support the dissemination of research outcomes through appropriate channels.
Undertake discipline-appropriate research activities, such as surveys, literature reviews, and data gathering.
Participate in and/or present at relevant conferences and workshops.
Assist with the supervision of research students in the research area.
Develop and validate test and measurement protocols for characterising energy harvesting performance under realistic operating conditions.
Apply and refine electrical treatments to biopolymer materials and systematically characterise electro-mechanical coupling and charge behaviour.
Design, build, and automate experimental test setups, including instrument control and data acquisition.
Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university.

Requirements

A PhD (awarded or nearing completion) in materials science, electrical engineering, mechatronics, applied physics, or a closely related discipline.
Experience in the electrical characterisation of materials or devices.
A sound understanding of electro-mechanical coupling mechanisms.
Good data analysis skills, including handling and interpretation of low-level electrical measurements.
Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations relative to opportunity.
Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
Demonstrated experience in or knowledge of one or more of the following areas: building or automating experimental test setups, high-voltage electrical treatments of materials, surface potential and charge decay measurement techniques, characterising energy harvesting devices, dynamic mechanical testing or coupled electro-mechanical measurements, circuit design, PCB prototyping, or embedded/low-power electronics, working knowledge of polymers or soft materials, signal processing experience for low-level or noisy measurements.
An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values.
Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Skills

Materials science
Electrical engineering
Mechatronics
Applied physics
Electrical characterisation of materials or devices
Impedance spectroscopy
Dielectric measurements
Charge/current measurements
Source-measure units
Electrometers
Electro-mechanical coupling mechanisms
Piezoelectricity
Electrets
Data analysis
Publications
Conference presentations
Teamwork
Collaboration
Building relationships
Experimental test setup automation
Instrument control
Data acquisition
Python
LabVIEW
High-voltage electrical treatments
Corona charging
Contact/DC poling
Surface potential measurement
Charge decay measurement
Kelvin probe
Energy harvesting device characterisation
Impedance matching
Maximum power measurement
Energy harvesting circuits
Power management ICs
Dynamic mechanical testing
Coupled electro-mechanical measurements
Circuit design
PCB prototyping
Embedded/low-power electronics
Polymers
Soft materials
Signal processing
Low-level measurements
Noisy measurements

Location

Sydney, Australia

Work Type

Full-time
Fixed Term

Experience Level

PhD (awarded or nearing completion)

Education Level

Salary/Compensations

$113K - $121K plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading

Benefits

17% superannuation
Annual leave loading

About the Company

One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities.
Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion.
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.
UNSW aspires to be the exemplar Australian university and employer of choice for people from diverse backgrounds.
UNSW partners with Australia’s leading diversity organisations, networks, and campaigns.

Equal Opportunity

UNSW aims to ensure equality in recruitment, development, retention and promotion of staff and that no-one is disadvantaged on the basis of their gender, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or identity or Indigenous heritage.
We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria to apply.
Please refer to UNSW’s diversity offerings for further information on our flexible work and leave options, and support for carers (childcare, parent rooms, parental leave).