Building on its strengths as Australia’s leading regional University, UniSQ’s vision is to be renowned for innovation and excellence in education, student experience, research and engagement. Guided by our core values of respect, integrity and excellence, the University’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025 outlines our commitment to creating and sharing knowledge, transforming lives and solving the problems that matter to our world.

Together with international partners such as NASA, DLR (German Space Agency) and Boeing, our Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences (IAESS) is leading the way in several space related fields including hypersonics and rocketry, astrophysics, and advanced materials.

You will join the Hypersonics and Rocketry Group UniSQ Hypersonics and Rocketry Group | UniSQ , a flagship group within the university, hosting Australia’s only long-duration hypersonic wind tunnel. In recent years the group has experienced substantial growth and has been very successful in winning competitive grants, and forming international collaborations and partnerships. The group is a leading part of the iLAuNCH Trailblazer, which is part of the Australian Governments investment to build Australia’s sovereign space capability by addressing critical gaps and accelerating development of a space technology sector.

What you’ll do

We are seeking a research fellow to join the “Development of an AI/ML-enabled space surveillance mission for hypersonic missile defense” project.

The purpose of this position is to expand the capability and capacity of the Hypersonic and Rocketry group to conduct both fundamental and applied research in the areas of hypersonics, high-speed fluid dynamics and related fields. You will contribute to fundamental research in high-speed (compressible) flow, including simulation and experimentation, and contribute to industry focused research, including applying high-speed flow simulations, experiments, and diagnostic methods to address industry problems.

As a member of the research group, you will have opportunities to engage in the following research activities:

• Simulation of hypersonic flows, high speed flows, aero-thermodynamics, radiation, multi-physics, and other phenomena.
• Development of simulation codes, models, and optimisations algorithms.
• Design and mission evaluation of hypersonic vehicle concepts.
• Experiments and development of diagnostics methods for hypersonic ground test in the TUSQ wind tunnel.
• Simulation of dynamic systems including gas turbines and high speed vehicles.

What will help you succeed

Together with your qualification in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a relevant discipline you will have:

• Professional experience, or demonstrated deep knowledge, in the following areas:
• Analysis, or simulation of high-speed (compressible) flows.
• Experience with high-speed (compressible) flows.
• Experience in the use or development ofsimulation codes.
• Skills, experience, and deep knowledge relevant to the project
• High level oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, relating well to people at all levels using diplomacy, tact and sound judgement, with an ability to build constructive and effective relationships.

Please refer to the Position Descriptions and Project Scoping document for additional information.

For further information about this role, please contact Associate Professor Ingo Jahn, via +61 7 3470 4385 or [email protected].

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.

Australian Citizenship is a mandatory requirement for this project.

Reference Number: 0023_01/25

Location: Toowoomba or Springfield campus

Term: Full-time fixed-term appointment to 31 December 2026 (37.5 hrs/week)

Salary: Appointments will be made at Level A or Level B, dependent on qualifications and experience.

Level A: Total remuneration range $91,140 to $122,268 pa (includes salary range of $77,008 to $103,311 pa, employer superannuation contributions of 17% of salary and annual leave loading)

Level B: Total remuneration range $128,506 to $151,889 pa (includes salary range of $108,581 to $128,339 pa, employer superannuation contributions of 17% of salary and annual leave loading)

Closes: Thursday, 27 February 2025

At USQ, we are united by our core values of Respect, Integrity and Excellence, which guide our daily actions and decision making.

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 we’re looking for’ in the position description.

For more information on our selection process please refer to your recruitment journey available on our website.