Associate Research Fellow

Based at our Geelong, Waurn Ponds Campus + hybrid work arrangements

Positions

• 3 x Full-time and fixed-term (2 years) positions
• Level A $83,268 - $111,939 + 17% Superannuation

The Faculty of Science Engineering and the Built Environment is dedicated to being at the forefront of teaching, learning, creating and social development and fostering cutting-edge research and discovery. The Institute for Frontier Materials focuses on solution-driven research, collaborating with industry and government to apply findings in practice. Click here to find out more.

The Associate Research Fellows, working in the Barnett research group, will initiate and conduct research in the area of physical metallurgy, under the framework of the Australian Research Council (ARC) funded Laureate Fellowship: Alloy alchemy: New paradigms in alloy science to promote a circular economy. The focus of the Fellowship is to develop deeper metallurgical understanding via characterization and modelling to underpin the design of alloys with smaller societal footprints.

Three roles are on offer to address the following sub-projects:

1. Design cross-blend alloys for the recycling of 2xxx and 7xxx Al alloys and 200 and 300 cross-contaminated stainless steel streams.
2. Measuring and modelling the twinning stress in austenitic stainless steels and HEAs as a function of composition using high throughput techniques.
3. Integrating time and spatial resolution in dynamic Laue diffraction experiments on new alloys.

These positions are suited to emerging researchers keen to explore and build on new areas and foster research and researcher development to have real-world impact and contribute to a dynamic and enthusiastic research team.

• Conduct high-quality research, scholarship and creative activities generating high impact outputs, with mentorship
• Engage collaboratively to participate in novel and high-quality research or creative activities
• Communicate outputs, including as part of team
• Ensure impact of academic activity on the field and the community
• Support and may lead applications for funding for research and creative activities

• PhD in a relevant discipline and/or other relevant qualifications and experience
• Emerging research and scholarship through publications, and/or exhibitions as appropriate to the discipline
• Ability to contribute to communities through research
• Capacity to contribute to teaching, research and administration
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues
• Ability to contribute to community engagement for research

Please submit your updated resume, a short cover letter and responses to the Key Selection Criteria.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Prof Matthew Barnett (Deakin Distinguished Professor) on matthew.barnett@deakin.edu.au

For a copy of the position description, please see below: PD - Associate Research Fellow - 576217.pdf

Applications for this position close on Friday, 19 September 2025.

Deakin is a cutting-edge public university headquartered in Victoria, revolutionising education with 61,000 students across our campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia (DLI), GIFT City, India, and our vibrant online environment. We\'re proud to be a progressive and open-minded university, delivering the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world\'s universities.

At Deakin you will have access to benefits such as a variety of leave options including generous parental leave and the ability to purchase additional leave; flexible working arrangements to help manage your work-life balance; ongoing learning and development opportunities to grow your career; an inclusive and supportive culture and environment to work in, both online and on campus.

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come to and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders