Senior Research Fellow – Photonics Sensor Platforms at University of Queensland

City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

21 May, 26

Salary

164748.7

Posted On

20 Feb, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Photonics Sensor Platforms, Optomechanical Sensing, Translational Research, Industry Collaboration, Sensor Development, Device Fabrication, Characterisation, Prototype Deployment, Scholarly Output, Commercialisation, Scientific Rigour, Experimental Leadership, Research Funding, Stakeholder Engagement, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership

Industry

Higher Education

Description

School of Mathematics and Physics Full-time, fixed-term position until 1 February 2028. Base salary will be in the range $143,099.52 - $164,748.70 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level C) Based at our St Lucia location About This Opportunity This position offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Research Fellow to play a leading role in a translational, industry-focused research program. The successful candidate will provide strategic, intellectual, and technical leadership in the development, integration, and deployment of optomechanical sensing technologies for mining and communications applications, with the objective of delivering a pre-commercial platform within the project timeframe. The role sits at the interface of fundamental research and real-world deployment and will contribute directly to the translation and commercialisation of University of Queensland intellectual property in partnership with industry collaborators. The appointee will work closely with academic and industry partners to drive project outcomes and support the broader research and innovation agenda. The position is available for an immediate start. Key responsibilities will include: Contribute to the development and deployment of precision optomechanical magnetometer devices within a translational, industry-partnered demonstrator program. Support strategic planning, coordination, reporting and delivery across multiple project streams to achieve key milestones and outcomes. Contribute to the design, fabrication, characterisation and testing of optomechanical devices, advancing experimental and fabrication capability for scalable, deployable sensor platforms. Contribute to the progression of research from laboratory experiments to field-deployed prototypes and pre-commercial demonstrator systems. Produce high-quality scholarly outputs, including publications in leading peer-reviewed journals, and present outcomes at national and international conferences and industry forums. Contribute to the translation and commercialisation of research outcomes, including engagement with industry partners and the transfer of UQ intellectual property, while applying best-practice methodologies to ensure scientific rigour and reproducibility This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance. For a copy of the full Position Description please email talent@uq.edu.au 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 Completed a PhD in Physics or a related discipline An established record of research excellence in photonics or related areas, demonstrated through high‑quality, impactful publications in leading journals. Demonstrated capability to contribute to research direction and advanced experimental expertise relevant to translational sensor platforms. Experimental experience in device fabrication and testing across one or more relevant material and photonic platforms, with the ability to adapt methods to deployment‑oriented requirements. Strong capability to initiate and deliver research programs, demonstrating intellectual independence alongside effective collaboration with academic and industry partners. Demonstrated capacity to supervise and mentor Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, with an established record of effective research training and researcher development. Evidence of contributing to, and leading, applications for external research funding, with the ability to manage funded research activities and deliver outcomes against agreed milestones. Demonstrated experience contributing to the translation of research outcomes, including engagement with industry partners, development of deployable prototypes, and/or generation of patentable intellectual property. High‑level written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to academic, industry and stakeholder audiences; applicants are invited to submit a sample of scholarly or technical writing. Well‑developed interpersonal and leadership skills, including the ability to build productive research teams, collaborate effectively across disciplines, and contribute positively to the academic and research culture of the University. 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. 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 Professor Warwick Bowen via w.bowen@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 addressing the ‘About You’ section Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're 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 don’t 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 27 February 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-60713). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for mid March. 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 Senior Research Fellow will provide strategic, intellectual, and technical leadership in developing, integrating, and deploying optomechanical sensing technologies for mining and communications, aiming to deliver a pre-commercial platform. Key duties include contributing to device development, supporting strategic planning, advancing experimental capability, and producing high-quality scholarly outputs.