• Based at our Geelong, Waurn Ponds Campus + hybrid work arrangements
• Full-time and fixed-term for 12 months
• Level A $83,268 - $111,939 + 17% Superannuation

This is a unique opportunity for an emerging researcher to explore new ideas, support researcher development, and make real-world impact within the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment.

As an Associate Research Fellow, you will work collaboratively to deliver high-quality research, scholarship, and creative activity, generating high-impact outcomes with guidance and mentorship from senior fibre researchers.

About the role:

This position sits within the ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres. You will contribute to the Hub’s sustainability theme, focusing on various pre-treatments on microbial cellulose to facilitate their industrial scale use to produce manufactured cellulosic fibres and other applications. The role involves close collaboration with industry partner Nanollose, with the expectation that research outcomes may be commercialised readily.

As an Associate Research Fellow, you will:

• Support and may lead applications for external competitive and other funding for research and creative activities.
• Communicate outputs, including as part of a team, and ensure impact of academic activity on the field and the community.
• Begin building a body of work and reputation and recognition for quality, excellence, and impact, including a track record of timely delivery of outcomes for industry partners.
• Participate in intra- and inter-disciplinary research collaborations and build awareness of industry partners and participate in opportunities for research partnerships.
• Adopt a culture of research excellence, innovation, and impact, and develop an early career research plan with guidance from mentors and supervisors.
• Support and collaborate with all Hub events, initiatives and functions which further the interests of fibre and/or materials science research at Deakin University.   

To be successful, you’ll have:

• A PhD in relevant field such as materials or chemical engineering, polymer science, textile engineering or another related discipline.
• Direct experience with characterizing natural polymers (specifically cellulose), processing biopolymers and spinning fibres (specifically wet-spinning)
• Experience in microbial cellulose generation, processing and characterisation or dealing with cellulose in nanofibre form
• Understanding of separation of trace elements absorbed by fibres
• Proven experience in microbial cellulose generation, processing and characterisation
• 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

Here's how to apply: 

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:

Dr Matt Boyd (Hub Manager) via matt.boyd@deakin.edu.au (general inquiries)

Assoc. Professor Rangam Rajkhowa (Project Lead) via rangam.rajkhowa@deakin.edu.au (science related inquires)

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 PD - Associate Research Fellow, IFM.pdf

Applications for this position close on July 23 2025 at 11:55pm.

Are You Ready?

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, 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.