Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Officer in Electrochemical Recovery at University of Queensland

City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

12 Jul, 26

Salary

111431.1

Posted On

13 Apr, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Electrochemical recovery, Lithium-ion battery waste, Materials characterisation, Separation processes, Electrocatalysis, XRD, XPS, SEM/EDX, TEM/EDX, EPR, IR, TGA, BET, Synchrotron-based characterisation, Analytical skills, Problem-solving

Industry

Higher Education

Description

School of Chemical Engineering – Faculty of EAIT Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 12 months Base salary will be in the range $83,698.91 - $111,431.10 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A) Visa sponsorship is not available for this position Based at our St Lucia Campus - Brisbane About This Opportunity This AEA Ignite project requires a Postdoctoral Research Fellow/ Research Officer in Electrochemical Recovery to conduct research on lithium-ion battery waste, including metal recovery, system operation, materials characterisation, and research outputs, ensuring project goals are met on time and within budget. Key responsibilities will include: Research: Conduct high-quality research on lithium-ion battery waste, including compositional screening and experimental recovery processes. Operate specialised electrochemical and crystallisation systems, and contribute to reports, publications, and research dissemination. Teaching: Contribute to teaching support as required. Supervision and Researcher Development: Collaborate with researchers and supervisors to deliver projects, support and mentor students, and foster a positive, team-oriented research environment. Citizenship and Service: Demonstrate UQ values through collaboration, active participation, and self-leadership. Support team operations, contribute to service and administrative roles, and build external partnerships with industry, government, and the community. This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance. About UQ As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged. At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers. As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development. The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad: from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process. About You Completion of a PhD, or submission of a PhD thesis with the expectation of award within a reasonable timeframe, in chemical engineering, materials science, or a related discipline. Demonstrated hands-on experience in separation processes, electrocatalysis, or related research areas. Experience in advanced materials characterisation techniques, such as XRD, XPS, SEM/EDX, TEM/EDX, EPR, IR, TGA, and BET. Experience with Synchrotron-based characterisation techniques, especially PD and XAS, is highly desirable. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team. Evidence of research outputs, including publications in reputable refereed journals, is desirable. Ability to actively engage and communicate effectively with industry partners to support project objectives. In support of our Indigenous employment strategy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. We value lived experience, community connection and diverse career pathways. Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualifications. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements. Work Rights? You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment. Questions? For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Haijiao Lu via haijiao.lu@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. Want to Apply? We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload: Resume Cover letter Responses to the ‘About You’ section Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We are committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au. Other Information UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who do not meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role. Applications close on Sunday, 26 April 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-63652). The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ is situated. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. At the University of Queensland, we are proud to be one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions, consistently ranking among the top 50 universities worldwide. As a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, UQ is widely recognised for its intensive focus on research and teaching excellence – evidenced by our numerous accolades including more teaching awards than any other Australian University and reflected in UQ being the number one recipient of ARC Fellowships and Awards nationally across all scheme years (totalling 452 awards worth $339 million). Our state-of-the-art facilities, libraries, and cutting-edge research centres offer unparalleled opportunities for academic and professional growth. With five faculties, a number of globally recognised research institutes, and over 100 research centres, we attract an interdisciplinary community of more than 7000 staff, supporting more than 55,000 current students from over 137 countries. UQ is dedicated to supporting the career aspirations of our students and staff. Our comprehensive career services provide personalized guidance, skills development, and networking opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals. Whether you are a student seeking internships and job placements or a staff member looking for career advancement, UQ is here to support you every step of the way. UQ values equity, diversity and inclusion and seeks to reflect the broader community by attracting and retaining high-quality staff from a range of backgrounds. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion aims to ensure that everyone at UQ feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. We are particularly interested to hear from people who bring diversity to UQ – whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability. Whether you are a recent graduate, an Academic, or an experienced professional, UQ offers a wide range of opportunities to help you grow and succeed. Explore our current job openings, discover our programs, and become part of a community that is dedicated to creating lasting, meaningful impact for the communities in which we live and work. For more information about working at UQ and our employee benefits (such as generous leave provisions, 17% superannuation, flexible working arrangements, and health and wellness discounts) please visit Why Work at UQ.

Responsibilities

The researcher will conduct high-quality studies on lithium-ion battery waste, focusing on metal recovery and experimental processes. They will also operate specialised electrochemical systems, mentor students, and contribute to research dissemination and industry partnerships.