Research Assistant, Melbourne Space Laboratory (2 positions available)

Position Number: 0063868
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full-time; Fixed-term for 23 months
Faculty: Science
Department/School: School of Physics
Salary: Level A – $83,468 - $113,262 p.a plus 17% super

• Contribute to the development, operation, and innovation of space instrumentation.
• Opportunity to engage in international collaborations and work on dynamic, multidisciplinary space mission projects.
• Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families!

About the Roles

The Melbourne Space Laboratory is seeking two highly motivated Research Associates to join our dynamic team, which operates the SpIRIT spacecraft and advances space instrumentation through international collaboration and industry partnerships.

Working under the supervision of Professor Michele Trenti, the successful candidates will contribute to the laboratory's innovative projects in two key areas:

• Position 1: Satellite on-board software development and operations.
• Position 2: Thermal and mechanical modelling.

We encourage applications from individuals with a broad skill set in space missions or a proven ability to excel across multiple domains, including project management, mission operations, and engineering disciplines (electrical, electronic, mechanical, and systems engineering).

Applicants are encouraged to specify on the application form which role they are most interested in, or if they wish to be considered for both roles. You are also welcome to tailor your application specifically to one of the areas listed above, or to both, depending on your expertise and interests.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Contribute towards the research effort of the Melbourne Space Laboratory and to develop your expertise with an increasing degree of autonomy
• Under limited supervision, contribute to space mission or space instrumentation design, development, verification, and/or operations
• Under the guidance and support of Senior Academic staff support and conduct internationally competitive research, resulting in publications in high impact journals
• Contribute to and publish academic papers and other scholarly outputs to a high academic standard in accordance with the research expectations of the University of Melbourne

Who We Are Looking For
You will have a postgraduate degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with a strong interest in spacecraft operations and expertise in spacecraft thermal modelling.

You will also have:

• A postgraduate (Master’s) degree is required; however, please note that near-completion of a PhD or equivalent professional experience is highly desirable but not essential
• Demonstrated experience in contributing to a space mission or space instrumentation project
• Strong evidence of ability and desire to build an academic research career trajectory
• Demonstrated ability to engage with relevant professional and industry bodies and stakeholders to foster collaborative partnerships

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.

This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Your New Team – “School of Physics“

The University of Melbourne's School of Physics is one of Australia's leading Physics Schools. It has achieved this status through the high quality of its research and teaching programs. The School offers a wide range of physics subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and performs research in the following areas: Astrophysics, Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, Experimental Condensed Matter Physics, Experimental Particle Physics, Materials Science, Physical Biosciences, Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics and Theoretical Particle Physics.

The School of Physics hosts the following ARC Centre of Excellence groups:

• • ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS)
  • ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics
  • ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery
  • ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions
  • ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T)

The School also plays a major role in the Australian Synchrotron research program, and in the development of the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory.

Currently some 30 academics, 51 research-only staff, more than 95 postgraduate students and 72 associates supported by 23 professional staff make up the School of Physics. The School additionally hosts 1 Thomas Baker Chair and Melbourne Laureate Professor, 2 ARC Future Fellows and 1 ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher. Skilled technical staff operate, maintain and develop complex instrumentation and equipment to support the teaching and research activities of the School. The School is located in the David Caro building on the Swanston Street boundary of the University campus. The Head of School and majority of the Professional staff are housed on the ground floor of the building to act as the first point of contact for students, staff and visitors.

What We Offer You!
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page!

About the University of Melbourne
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the employee listed on the first page of the Position Description found below, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring

Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:

• Resume
• Motivational letter outlining your interest and experience
• The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

Please ensure that you apply through the Apply Now button at the bottom of this advertisement. However, if you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Anna Gradoboeva via email at [email protected], ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.