Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Metal-Gas Batteries

• Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 12 months
• Base salary will be in the range $85,372.89 - $113,659.72 + 17% super (Academic Level A).
• Based at our St Lucia location.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to grow an emerging research profile in advanced metal-gas battery materials, redox flow battery technologies and related energy-storage systems.

Working within the Advanced Energy Storage Group at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, you will contribute to externally funded Q-CAS and ARC research projects that investigate the electrochemical, structural and interfacial mechanisms shaping battery performance, degradation and long-term stability.

You will join a collaborative, purposeful and internationally connected research environment with access to advanced facilities, and collaboration with national and international partners.  You will have opportunities to participate in synchrotron and national-facility experiments and to help translate discovery and prototype development into meaningful clean-energy impact whilst contributing to a growing battery research, manufacturing and characterisation capability at UQ.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Research: Manage overall project activities, coordinate tasks, deliverables and reports, and conduct high-quality research in advanced battery materials, electrochemistry, electrolytes, electrode-electrolyte interfaces and energy-storage systems; work closely with academic, industry and external partners, including through progress reporting, regular project meetings, experimental planning, data analysis and publication of research outputs in reputable outlets

• Supervision and Researcher Development: Assist with the supervision and mentoring of undergraduate, Honours, Masters or PhD students, and contribute to a supportive research culture that develops capability and confidence.

• Citizenship and Service: Demonstrate UQ values through collaboration, participation in team activities, contribution to internal service and the development of external links with academic, industry, government and broader community partners.

• Teaching: Participate in undergraduate or postgraduate teaching when required.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.

• Completion, or near completion, of a PhD in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, electrochemistry, energy storage or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated research experience in battery materials, electrochemistry, electrolytes, electrode-electrolyte interfaces or related energy-storage systems.
• Practical experience using electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and battery performance evaluation.
• Experience in materials characterisation using techniques such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, spectroscopy or surface analysis.
• Ability to design experiments, analyse complex datasets and interpret electrochemical and materials-characterisation results.
• Evidence of research productivity through peer-reviewed publications and a developing research profile.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, publications and presentations for academic, industry and project audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team, with a commitment to UQ values and inclusive, respectful ways of working.

Desirable:

• Experience in electrolyte formulation, solvation chemistry or interfacial chemistry.
• Experience with lithium-ion, sodium-ion, metal batteries, redox flow, or solid-state batteries.
• Experience with in-situ or operando characterisation techniques.
• Experience with synchrotron X-ray techniques, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, XPS, FTIR or other advanced analytical methods.
• Experience with computational methods, including molecular dynamics, density functional theory or data-driven materials research.
• Experience working with industry partners or contributing to collaborative research projects.
• Some experience mentoring Honours, Masters or PhD students.

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. 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, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Associate Professor Bin Luo – *****@uq.edu.au  

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at ******@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume, cover letter, and responses to the ‘About You’ section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia, 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.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ, and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing ******@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close 13 August 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-67598). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for mid-late August