Research Fellow in in Solar Thermal Energy Conversion & Applications (Level BRF)

• Based in the Future Industries Institute at the Mawson Lakes Campus
• Full-time, 5 year fixed term contract
• Starting salary: $112,892 per annum (plus 17% superannuation)

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Fellow to join the high performing team at the UniSA Future Industries Institute. This Research Fellow will focus on developing interfacial solar evaporation technologies for seawater desalination and combining interfacial solar evaporation with other technologies such as water-evaporation electricity generation, moisture driven electricity generation and atmospheric water harvest to develop multifunctional systems for simultaneously clean water production and power generation.

About the Future Industries Institute

The University of South Australia’s Future Industries Institute (FII) undertakes cross-disciplinary research related to 5 key industry sectors: Healthy Environments; High-Tech Manufacturing; Medical Technology; Smart Energy; and Sustainable Resources. With state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, new technologies and approaches are being developed to support state and national economic growth. Working closely with industry partners and end-users ensures our researchers and students engage in real world experiences to create local, national and global impact.

About UniSA

The University of South Australia is Australia’s University of Enterprise. Our culture of innovation is anchored around global and national links to academic, research and industry partners. Our graduates are the new urban professionals, global citizens at ease with the world and ready to create and respond to change. Our research is inventive and adventurous and we create new knowledge that is central to global economic and social prosperity.

Core Responsibilities

• Conduct high-quality research project independently or under limited supervision and in collaboration with industry and other stakeholders
• Design, perform and record experimental work
• Communicate research outcomes in both verbal and written form including presentations and reports to the research team
• Ensure delivery of project’s research milestones, objectives and work programs are met on time, within budget and to the industry partner’s satisfaction
• Make significant contributions to refereed journal publications, conference and seminar papers arising from the research

Essential Skills and Experience

• A PhD qualification with a focus on functional materials for photothermal conversion, interfacial solar evaporation, atmospheric water harvest or water evaporation/moisture electricity generation
• Knowledge and hands-on experience in experimentation in solar evaporator design and fabrication or solar evaporation-based desalination device/system design and manufacturing
• Demonstrated research productivity as a postdoctoral researcher
• Evidence of participation in external activities such as industry or community engagement relevant to the field of research
• Record of independent research resulting in high-quality publications and evidence of growing citation impact

Benefits

Getting a great job working with the best is just the start. UniSA rewards its staff with a wide variety of benefits such as:

• Access to great personal development opportunities
• Generous superannuation contributions of 17%
• Flexible working conditions
• A range of salary packaging options, including vehicle leasing, laptops and car parking fees 
• Staff study support

Culture

At the University of South Australia, we value workplace diversity and are committed to providing a supportive, inclusive, and respectful work environment for all people. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, women, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, people of culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disability.

Start Your Unstoppable Career

For a copy of the position description and to apply, please visit Working at UniSA. The online application form will list the specific selection criteria that you need to address. Please address your cover letter to Ruth Haren: Team Leader, Recruitment Central. For further information about the position or the recruitment process, please contact UniSA Recruitment Central on +61 8 8302 1700 or via email at recruitment@unisa.edu.au using job reference number 6666.

Applications close: 11.30pm Monday 10 February 2025

We are committed to providing an equitable and barrier free recruitment process and encourage you to share any support, adjustments and/or access requirements you have by contacting our Recruitment Central team on recruitment@unisa.edu.au. Anything you tell us will be kept completely confidential.

Pursuant to the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011, any appointment to this position must comply with the requirements of the Act.