Research Fellow - Polymer Coatings

Job no: 0050292
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time/Fixed-term for 12 months
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
Department/School: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Salary: Level A: $80,258* - $ 108,906 p.a.  p.a. plus 17% super (*PhD entry Level A.6 - $101,460 p.a.)

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

About - Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

For over 150 years, the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT) has been at the forefront of engineering and IT education and research in Australia. We are a diverse and interdisciplinary school, comprised of three main areas: Computing and Information Systems (CIS), Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (CBE), and Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering (EMI).

The Department of Chemical Engineering  sits within the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and hosts several Research Centres including the Future Fuels Co-operative Research Centre, the ARC Dairy Innovation Research Hub, ARC Digital Bioprocessing Hub and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology.

Our laboratories are housed across four locations including a substantially renovated main building, a second building devoted exclusively to research, two floors within the nearby Chemistry building and a presence within the Bio21 Institute. Our academics have been elected as Fellows of the Royal Society, the world's oldest scientific society, the Australian Academy of Science, and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

About the Role

The Future Fuels Co-operative Research Centre has recently created an internal polymer coating for steel pipelines that can be applied on-site, potentially offering protection against hydrogen embrittlement. In Phase 2 of the project, the focus will be on exploring different base polymers and crosslinking agents to further enhance the concepts covered in the existing patent. Additionally, the removal of the catalyst from the polymer solution before application will be investigated. The ultimate goal is to benefit the industry by commercializing a coating that can prevent hydrogen embrittlement.

The Research Fellow will be employed within the University of Melbourne node of the Future Fuels Co-operative Research Centre. Their responsibilities will involve conducting experiments, including synthesizing polymers, preparing coatings, and testing the permeability of hydrogen.

Responsibilities also include:

• Conduct research and deliver against research objectives to meet project milestones and reporting schedules as well as becoming fully immersed in the research culture of the Faculty
• Prepare publications arising from research in peer-reviewed journals, articles and oral and written presentations to industry and lay audiences, including presentations at industry and science conferences.
• Under limited supervision, deliver against research objectives.

About You

To be successful in this role, you should possess strong skills in polymer science and polymer chemistry. You should also have excellent attention to detail and a meticulous approach to your work, ensuring accurate experimentation and reliable test results. Additionally, effective communication and collaboration skills are essential, as you will be working within a research team and potentially liaising with industry stakeholders.

You will also have:

• Completion of a PhD in polymer synthesis or polymer engineering.
• Ability to undertake research under limited supervision and delivering against research objectives evidenced by peer-reviewed publications as well as oral and written presentations, including scientific, industry and lay audiences.
• Ability to participate in teamwork and assist in providing technical guidance to postgraduate students.

Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia.

About the University

The University of Melbourne 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.

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, 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, visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits.

Be Yourself

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. 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

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact  us at hr-talent@unimelb.edu.au.

Applications close: 14 June 2023 11:55 PM AUS Eastern Standard Time

Position description:  0050292_Research Fellow Polymer Coatings_PD.pdf