Company Description
Every institution values excellence. What matters most is why.
Griffith was created to be a different type of university. You’ll find we’re about leading research, academic excellence, and the transformative power of education. But what sets us apart is why those things matter and how you’ll achieve them.
Why? Griffith brings together exceptional minds like yours from across the globe and from all walks of life. Here, we do incredible work, questioning and challenging, always in the pursuit of excellence.
Job Description
This Research Fellow position is funded by the Solving Plastic Waste Cooperative Research Centre, a multi-institution partnership between academia and industry that has secured investment from the Federal Government to develop solutions to tackle problems involving plastic waste over the next 10 years. The CRC aims to find innovative solutions for reducing plastic waste, improving recycling processes, and developing sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Griffith University is one of the core research partners in the Solving Plastic Waste CRC.
The Research Fellow is a key position for the Solving Plastic Waste CRC and will work within Research Program 1 under the supervision of Prof Stefanie Feih from Griffith with industry partners to characterise and advance recycled plastic material formulations for specific target applications and critical material specifications. This is a hands-on and industry-facing position. Most importantly, the successful candidate will lead the industry engagement, chemically and mechanically characterise recycled plastic materials, and develop qualification systems that can rapidly identify performance-reducing contaminants within recycled material sources.
The successful candidate will benefit from the extended Solving Plastic Waste education and training program including training in communications, innovation management and leadership; a wide range of industry leading microcredentials; and an annual collaborative Design Challenge to develop innovative systems approaches to Solving Plastic Waste.
This is a fixed term (3 year), full time position and will be primarily based at the Griffith University Gold Coast campus, with travel to the Nathan campus required for equipment access. As Griffith is a multi-campus University you may be required to work across other campus locations.
Griffith University’s campuses are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.
Salary Range
The full time equivalent base salary will be Research Fellow, Grade 2 range $110,464 – $131,180 per annum + 17% superannuation. The total FTE package will be in the range $129,243 – $153,481 per annum.
Qualifications
Qualifications
What matters most is your drive to create a brighter future that benefits all. You will play a crucial role in shaping Australia’s efforts to reduce plastic pollution, a project directly aligned with Griffith’s core values of social responsibility and enhancing environmental sustainability.
You will also have:
- a PhD or equivalent qualification/work experience in Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a similar field;
- experience working with chemical analysis equipment such as Pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for analysis of chemical composition and contamination of polymers;
- experience characterising thermal stability, rheology and polymer flow with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), melt flow index (MFA) and UV stability analysis;
- knowledge of mechanical testing of polymer material properties according to ASTM standards (Tensile stiffness/strength, fatigue and impact performance);
- knowledge of injection moulding processes, design for injection moulding, and product quality assessment is beneficial for the position;
- an interest in the application of chemometrics / machine learning concepts for advanced data analytics (or similar) for enhancing analysis outcomes is welcome.
Additional Information
Why Griffith?
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer:
- Wide range of Learning and Development opportunities
- Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts
- Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading
- Health Safety and Wellbeing initiatives – on campus Gym facilities
How to apply
At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all – whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.
Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. Griffith University also maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of modern slavery. For more information, please refer to Griffith’s Modern Slavery Policy.
Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following:
- A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the qualifications above and the position description
- Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details
- Names and contact details of at least three professional referees (no contact will be made without your permission)
Applications should be submitted online via: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/GriffithUniversity/744000029842305-polymer-material-scientist-research-fellow-grade-2-?trid=1bf16bd5-3131-4a3a-8e06-b3c3c0a3ea19
Applicants must have unrestricted working rights. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.
For further information specifically about this role, please contact Professor Stefanie Feih, School of Engineering and Built Environment at [email protected].
For application and recruitment advice, please contact Corinna Gartrell, Talent Acquisition Partner at [email protected].
For application support, please contact People Services on +61 7 373 54011 and quote reference number REF6721P.
Closing date: Friday 13 December 2024 at 11:59pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.
Please allow at least 1 – 2 weeks from the closing date to expect an application update.