Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time, Fixed-term for 12 months
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
Department/School: Biomedical Engineering
Salary: UOM A.6 - A.8 – $97,558 - $104,717 plus 17% super

Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne is Australia’s #1 university and is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT) is strongly committed to supporting diversity and flexibility in the workplace. Improving the representation of women is necessary in our goal to innovate and to strengthen FEIT’s reputation as a best-in-class centre of research.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) is a vibrant and rapidly growing department within FEIT. We are working on some of the most meaningful problems at the interface of engineering with life and medical sciences. The crux of this work being the application of interdisciplinary expertise and thought in order to make new discoveries and innovative solutions towards improved healthcare and social wellbeing.

About the role:

We are seeking a highly motivated researcher with a PhD in chemical, biomedical or materials engineering or a related discipline to play a key role in an exciting new collaborative research project between the University of Melbourne and the Robotic Surgery Evolution group (RSE). The research will focus on developing new materials engineering knowledge, enabling the development of novel synthetic organ models to be used in the training of robotic surgeons.

This multidisciplinary role will involve polymer characterisation, mechanical testing of various tissues and the creation of accurate 3D computer generated anatomical moulds. Additionally, you will use your strong chemistry and engineering background to explore novel 3D printing techniques. You will liaise with engineers and surgeons to develop, test, and refine simulation platforms for robotic surgery. You will be based across two locations, the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Melbourne, and at RSE’s premises, which includes the facility developed by the Australian Medical Robotics Academy, working with a friendly, collaborative research and development team to improve surgical training methods and provide a more sustainable approach to surgical education.

Responsibilities include:

• Work with project stakeholders in both academia and industry to develop and implement research plans.
• Participate in the preparation of patent disclosures and patent filings as required.
• Initiate and foster industry engagement, including the development of collaborative research opportunities.
• Contribute to the training, scientific mentoring, and supervision of students as required 

About You:

You are passionate researcher with a commitment to high-quality outputs as evidenced by scholarly publications commensurate with opportunity. You have the interpersonal skills necessary to build effective relationships with a broad range of collaborators and stakeholders. You have excellent communication skills with the ability to present research outcomes to technical and non-technical audiences. You are self-motivated and can work both independently and as part of a team to achieve project milestones.

You will further have:

• PhD in chemical, biomedical, or materials engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience in functionalisation, processing, and characterisation of polymers plus hydrogel fabrication and characterisation (desirable).
• Experience with 3D fabrication methods including 3D printing (desirable).

For specific responsibilities of this role please refer to the attached Position Description.

You will be supported to pursue achievement in all pillars of an academic career:

• Research & Research Training
• Contribution to Teaching and Learning
• Engagement
• Service and Leadership

Benefits of Working with Us

In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements and generous personal, parental and cultural leave
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club
• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families

To find out more, please visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers.

Be Yourself

At UoM, we value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community, and we encourage and celebrate diversity. Indigenous Australians, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages with disabilities and culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for our roles. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please submit your application including a brief cover letter, your resume and your responses against the selection criteria* (found in the Position Description) for the role.

*For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

Should you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at hr-talent@unimelb.edu.au.

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, we are currently prioritising applications with current valid working rights in Australia and candidates who are not affected by travel restrictions. Please see the latest updates to Australia's immigration and border arrangements: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/

The University of Melbourne is required to comply with applicable health guidance and directions issued from the Victoria Health Minister. The University of Melbourne requires all University of Melbourne employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless an exemption order applies. All applicants therefore must meet this requirement when submitting an application.

While we review your application, get to know us by visiting http://www.eng.unimelb.edu.au/about/join-feit

Applications close: TUESDAY 05 JULY 2022 11:55 PM AUS Eastern Daylight Time