Postdoctoral Research Associate in Experimental Supersonic Combustion

• Full time, two year fixed-term position commencing in January / February 2027. Located at our Camperdown campus in the School of Aerospace, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering
• Exciting opportunity to advance cutting-edge research in supersonic combustion and high-speed propulsion within a world-class research environment
• Base Salary Academic Level A $117,936 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The School of Aerospace Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering (AMME) is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching Engineering Schools, with degree programs in Mechanical, Mechatronic, Aeronautical and Space Engineering. The school has a student body of over 1,000 students and has seen strong growth in demand for teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The school supports teaching and research activities across disciplines including aerospace, combustion, design, fluid mechanics, materials, mechanical, mechatronic and robotics engineering. To learn more about the School click here

We are currently seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Experimental Supersonic Combustion to join the ARC Training Centre for High-Speed Propulsion, Rocket and Launch Systems.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• conduct advanced research into supersonic combustion and compressible reacting flows, particularly investigating how compressibility suppresses fuel-air mixing
• contribute to research seeking to quantify compressible mixing suppression in reacting flows and develop approaches to design around this limitation
• undertake experimental research using advanced laser diagnostics of combustion in high-speed flows
• work with state-of-the-art experimental facilities, including novel subsonic and supersonic burners and advanced laser diagnostic facilities

About you

• completed PhD in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• demonstrated research experience in combustion, compressible or high-speed fluid dynamics, supersonic/reacting flows, experimental fluid mechanics or laser diagnostics
• experience using sophisticated experimental techniques, especially laser diagnostics and combustion or fluid-flow experiments, would be highly relevant
• experience in designing novel burners and setting up complex experimental combustion rigs
• ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary research environment and collaborate with academic researchers, research students and industry partners.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations 

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University.  Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement 

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. 

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. 

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.  

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard.  Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nicole Feain and Liam Newson, Recruitment Operations by email to [email protected]

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The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

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