The Opportunity

• Are you a motivated, early career scientist with interest in carbon fibre structure and properties?
• Do you have, or will shortly obtain a PhD in a relevant discipline area, such as physics or material science?
• Join CSIRO and progress your career with our structured postdoc training program

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years relevant postdoctoral work experience.  These fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.

The research team has recently developed novel and efficient techniques for characterising polyacrylonitrile and carbon fibre microstructure using laboratory based and synchrotron X-ray scattering methods enabling large statistically meaningful data sets of X-ray images to be collected at unprecedented resolution and processed rapidly. 

The Postdoctoral Fellow will undertake research utilising these techniques to resolve the fundamental knowledge gap in how these structures and their control can be used to influence the properties of both the fibre and composite.

Your duties will include

Under the direction of senior research scientists and engineers, the CERC Postdoctoral Fellow will:

• Contribute to a project predominately utilising X-ray methods to identify the microstructure and changes that occur during production of precursor polyacrylonitrile fibres and carbon fibres and how these influence the compressive strength of carbon fibres and their composites. 
• Work closely with more commercially focused CSIRO teams at Waurn Ponds and Clayton and Carbon Nexus at Deakin University (fibre carbonisation) to implement desirable changes in polymer architecture and processing conditions
• Carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
• Recognise and exploit opportunities for innovation and the generation of new theoretical perspectives, and progress opportunities for the further development or creation of new lines of research
• Utilise design thinking methodology to plan and prepare research proposals, and apply non-academic impact methodology to research projects

Location: Geelong, VIC
Salary: $83,687 to $94,679 p.a. plus up to 15.4% Superannuation 
Tenure: 3 years term
Reference: 61487

To be successful you will need 
 
Essential Criteria:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as physics or materials science. 
  Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or part time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Demonstrated experience in experimental/laboratory research
• High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including publishing in peer reviewed journals and/or authorship of scientific papers, reports, and presenting at national and/or international conferences.
• A record of science innovation and creativity, including the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in fracture mechanics or x-ray characterisation of materials
• Experience in structure/property relationships of materials, in particular polymer fibres, carbon fibres or composites.

Special Requirement:

• Willingness to work offsite with some shift work at the Australian Synchrotron facility at Clayton

 
For details about who to contact and for more information please view Position Description
 
CSIRO’s Commitment to Diversity
We’re working hard to recruit diverse people and ensure all our people feel supported to do their best work and empowered to let their ideas flourish.
 
Flexible Working Arrangements 
We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you. Balance
 
About CSIRO 
At CSIRO you can be part of helping to solve big, complex problems that make a real difference to our future. We spark off each other, learn from each other, trust each other and collaborate to achieve more than we could individually in a supportive, rewarding, inclusive and truly flexible environment. 
 
Apply Online 
To apply online, please provide a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role.
 
Applications Close 
Wednesday 19th June 2019

We reserve the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date