Job Title

Total remuneration range $94,509 to $126,788 pa Full-time, Fixed-term appointment for 2 years Springfield campus Centre for Future Materials School of Science, Engineering and Digital Technologies The Centre for Future Materials is known for pioneering research and development in engineered fibre composites, prioritising industry led R&D in advanced composite manufacturing, civil composites, smart materials, and geopolymer & concrete. It operates a dedicated industry test service for more than 1000 clients across multiple sectors both nationally and internationally. The Research Fellow (Battery Recycling and Critical Materials Recovery) will contribute to a newly funded AustraliaIndia Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) project focused on developing eco-friendly methods to recover critical materials from spent lithium-ion batteries and reintegrate them into new battery systems. Based at UniSQ Springfield within the Centre for Future Materials, the position will support research activities spanning green solvent design, materials recovery, battery materials characterisation, and process validation in collaboration with Australian and Indian partner institutions. Who you are You are an early-career researcher with a doctoral qualification in Chemistry, Materials Science, Electrochemistry or a related field, and hands-on experience in battery recycling, critical minerals recovery, green solvent systems, or electrochemical materials. You are motivated by research with real-world environmental and industry impact and are comfortable working independently while contributing effectively within interdisciplinary, collaborative teams. With strong communication skills, high standards of research integrity, and a commitment to safe laboratory practice, you will provide essential research capacity for day-to-day experimental work, technical coordination, and project continuity, supporting the successful delivery of an internationally collaborative research program that strengthens UniSQs capability and profile in sustainable battery technologies and circular economy innovation. What you''ll do Working closely with senior investigators and project partners to ensure that milestones, timelines, and reporting requirements are met, you will assist with procurement planning, laboratory coordination, data management, and preparation of technical reports, publications, and grant-related outputs arising from the project. The position will contribute to project delivery across multiple work packages, including materials preparation, process optimisation, materials testing, reporting, and collaborative knowledge exchange. Day-to-day operations include: Laboratory-based research on ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, and related sustainable recovery systems for extracting lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite and other valuable battery components from end-of-life batteries Planning and conducting experiments, maintaining accurate records, analysing results, and contributing to the optimisation of environmentally responsible recycling pathways Supporting the characterisation of recovered materials using appropriate analytical techniques and assisting in evaluating their suitability for reintegration into functional battery components. The role also requires active participation in interdisciplinary and international collaboration, including engagement with UniSQ researchers, QUT analytical teams, IIT Madras, IISER Bhopal, and relevant industry stakeholders. The appointee will contribute to meetings, progress reviews, and the communication of findings to project partners. The position may also support the supervision of honours, postgraduate, or project students working in aligned areas. What will help you succeed It is essential that you hold a doctoral degree in Chemistry (or Electrochemistry), Materials Science & Engineering or a related field with a track record of high-quality publications and demonstrated research experience. You will be expected to produce high-quality research outputs in an ethical and responsible manner, maintain strong laboratory safety practices, and comply with UniSQ requirements for research integrity, data management, and responsible conduct. The position will operate with a degree of independence while working under the guidance of the Lead Chief Investigator and in collaboration with the broader project team. For further information about this role, please contact Professor Ashok Kumar Nanjundan,Professor (Energy Storage) via +61 7 3470 4534 or ***************@unisq.edu.au. Building on its strengths as Australias leading regional university, UniSQ partners closely with its communities to drive innovation and create opportunity through education and research. Guided by our values of respect, integrity, and excellence, UniSQs Strategic Plan 20262030 sets a clear ambition: to be Australias most transformative university by embracing our regional identity, fostering inclusive learning and research environments, and delivering globally relevant outcomes with strong local impact. The University offers a range of different ways of working and connecting across our physical and virtual spaces to meet the needs of our students, partners and community. We value diversity and strive to foster an inclusive environment that is underpinned by our values and champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from all diversity groups. With an increasingly diverse workforce, we understand that careers may be placed on hold or limited throughout many life circumstances. Find out more about . To be considered for this position, you will need to have the right to work in Australia. Reference Number: 0087_04/26 Location: Springfield campus Term: Full-time fixed-term appointment for 2 years (37.5 hours/week) Salary: Total remuneration range $94,509 to $126,788 pa (includes salary range of $79,704 to $106,927 pa, employer super contributions of 17% and annual leave loading) Closes: Thursday, 21 May 2026 at 11:30 pm (AEST) At UniSQ we are united by our core values of Respect, Integrity and Excellence, which guide our daily actions and decision-making. UniSQ is a child safe organisation. As part of the University of Southern Queensland''s commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and rewarding work environment and in compliance with ourlegal obligations, we require candidates to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender Based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender Based Violence, during the course of their previous employment or in any legal process. This information helps us meet our legal obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence, and will be considered when determining a candidate''s suitability for employment, so that we can keep our University community safe. If you know that this role is right for you, please submit your current resume together with a two-page (maximum) statement, outlining your skills and experience relative to Who were looking for in the position description. For more information on our selection process please refer to your recruitment journey, available on our website. Position Description Opens in new window