About This Opportunity
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow / Research Officer to support an experimental hypersonic project using optical diagnostics to study wakes from high-speed vehicles with ablative heat shields. The project aims to provide unique data on how ablation products interact with hypersonic flows, improving understanding of flow fields and wake chemistry.
Based at UQ’s Centre for Hypersonics, you will conduct experiments using the X2 expansion tube under the supervision of Dr Chris James. This project is funded by the US Air Force AOARD, in collaboration with AFIT and Australia’s DSTG.
Key responsibilities will include:
Research: Conduct and supervise experiments on UQ’s X2 expansion tube, including test design, data analysis, and model development. Design and test ablating models, sets up and uses advanced optical diagnostics, and performs hypersonic CFD and radiation simulations. Analyse experimental and computational results, publish findings in high-quality journals, and contribute to competitive research funding applications and collaborative projects.
Citizenship and Service: Perform administrative tasks within the lab or research group and is willing to serve as lab manager if needed. Contribute to a positive safety culture and demonstrate UQ values through collaboration, leadership, and active participation in unit activities, including supporting colleagues during absences.
Any other duties as reasonably directed by your supervisor.
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
PhD (or PhD submitted or close to submitted) in the field of experimental hypersonics specifically related to high enthalpy, radiating and/or ablating hypersonic flows.
Demonstrated competence in:
Performing experiments on medium and/or large-scale high enthalpy hypersonic test facilities, including the analysis of facility diagnostic data to quantify test conditions.
Setting up, using, and upgrading advanced hypersonic optical diagnostic techniques.
Designing, performing and analysing ablating hypersonic experiments.
Performing hypersonic chemically reacting CFD and processing results to perform radiation simulations.
Using engineering design philosophies to design and upgrade test models for hypersonic impulse facility testing.
Ability and willingness to:
Publish in high quality outlets.
Supervise honours and/or Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students.
Participate in applications for external research funding support.
Participate in coursework teaching activities.
Promote and adhere to a positive safety culture including assuming the role of a laboratory manager if required.
Demonstrated:
High level of drive and enthusiasm.
High level of interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Commitment to UQ’s values.
The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check, mandatory immunisations, etc.
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 Chris James via c.james4@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:
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. 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 Monday, 10 November 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-57314).
