Senior Research Fellow, Timber Durability

• Timber Durability and Design Life | Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast
• Level C, $125,988 - $145,184 p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation
• Full-time, Fixed-term appointment for 3 years

The Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity available for a high-achieving, innovative, and resourceful Senior Research Fellow to join the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life based on the Sunshine Coast.

The National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life was established with support from the Federal Government, Forest and Wood Products Australia, UniSC, University of Queensland and Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries as collaborative partners. While the Centre partners are all Queensland-based, the Centre is national in scope.

The Centre's vision is to be a global leader in timber durability and design life research and has two over-arching goals:

• Create coordinated research in timber durability
• Educate a new cadre of research scientists to carry on the work across Australia

For more information about the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, please click on the following link https://www.usc.edu.au/research/forest-research-institute/national-centre-for-timber-durability-and-design-life

You will

• play a major role in research by leading research projects and supervising candidates for higher degrees by research;
• communicate research outcomes to both expert and lay audiences through publishing and subjecting outcomes to peer appraisal;
• develop and maintain strategic and productive partnerships, connections and relationships with people, groups and organisations at local, national and international levels;
• create opportunities for discussion of intellectual, social, economic and cultural issues of importance to the well-being of the community; and
• contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive academic environment that is conducive to high levels of engagement and standards of performance in research.

About University of the Sunshine Coast - UniSC

We're a young, vibrant, and rapidly growing university with a focus on sustainability, impact and community. As one of Australia's fastest growing universities, UniSC is ripe with opportunities for passionate, skilled and determined leaders who want to make an impact in higher education.

Our award-winning facilities span five campuses across Southeast Queensland, in regions renowned for their natural beauty, enviable lifestyles, diverse communities and rich cultural heritage. UniSC is the world's only university operating within three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We are one of the most respected universities in Australia for our teaching quality, as acknowledged by our five-star rating in the Good Universities Guide - a title we have held for 17 consecutive years.

UniSC is recognised as a global leader in sustainability principles. Our strong commitment to achieving sustainability is embedded in our teaching, research and how we operate, as evidenced by the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings in which we are the top ranked Queensland university for 'Overall Impact.' UniSC is also ranked in the top three percent globally for 'Climate Action' impact, and third in Australia for our global impact to 'Life on Land'. We're in the top four percent globally for 'Life Below Water'. These rankings are a welcome recognition of our research, teaching and stewardship work in these specialty areas.

We're focused on becoming Australia's most relevant university. This means our research explores the timeliest topics of our era, those with the most significance for the future. We have 26 research fields ranked at - or well above - world standard according to the most recent Excellence in Research for Australia Rankings.

UniSC's national and international research impact continues to grow exponentially. Since 2013, we have more than tripled our annual research income, and this is just the start of our story. We are young, ambitious, and determined to become Australia's premier regional university.

We warmly encourage you to join us on this journey.

About you

You possess a positive and engaging demeanour, enabling excellence for research outcomes, colleagues and project partners. Your well-developed interpersonal skills and exceptional written and verbal communication allow you to successfully communicate research findings. You collaborate cohesively and share your expertise to contribute to the ongoing success of research outcomes.

You will possess:

• a doctoral qualification in a relevant field of mycology, plant pathology, materials science or wood science & engineering with a well-developed knowledge of the biodeterioration of cellulosic materials and its prevention;
• sound and established track record of research activity including for example: refereed publications in leading, high-impact, peer-reviewed journals related to the fields of wood science, biodeterioration or mycology, participation in diverse and interdisciplinary research teams and a research track record in disciplines related to timber deterioration and its prevention;
• experience in supervising research students;
• the ability to integrate the broad filed of timber durability to develop cohesive, collaborative proposals that meet important industrial needs;
• experience in organising and conducting field durability trials;

Desirable:

• experience with preservative treatments of wood including wood modification systems;
• experience working with advanced fungal isolation and identification techniques;
• experience with analytical methods for examining wood chemistry including GC, HPLC, or FTIR methodologies; and
• knowledge of methods for assessing the physical and mechanical properties of timber.

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer and has a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion. We encourage people with disability; women in STEM; First Nations Peoples; and people of all cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences to apply. Should you require additional support, email usccareers@usc.edu.au or phone +61 7 5430 2830.

Contact

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Professor Mark Brown

Director, Forest Research Institute

Telephone: 07 5459 4483

Email: mbrown2@usc.edu.au

Please apply by midnight, Wednesday 22 March 2023

To Apply

All applications must be lodged through our website. To apply please visit our website at https://www.usc.edu.au/about/work-at-unisc

A completed application includes:

• a resume; and
• a statement of suitability (not to exceed two pages). Your statement of suitability should clearly demonstrate how your qualifications, skills, knowledge and attributes align to the requirements found within the selection criteria on the position description (found on our website) to make you a success at UniSC.

Noting that your application will be reviewed in alignment to the specified Selection Criteria as outlined within the Position Description.

Benefits of working at UniSC

UniSC is a community which recognises and embraces diversity among our staff, students and community partnerships. We provide an inclusive environment where each person feels they belong and are respected, connected and empowered to contribute and grow in meaningful ways.

UniSC is a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative which aims to address and improve gender equity in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) disciplines. Attaining an award is recognition of our ongoing commitment to improving gender equity and ensuring that women from diverse backgrounds, as well as underrepresented groups, are best positioned to reach their full potential.

UniSC offers career enhancement opportunities such as professional development and specialised leadership and management programs. We are an inclusive employer offering flexible work options, extensive and generous leave options and a 36.25 hour working week for our professional staff. For more information, visit our website https://www.usc.edu.au/about/work-at-unisc/benefits-of-working-at-unisc