Job Search

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

The School of Chemistry is internationally recognised for its excellence in research and teaching. Our mission is to nurture students to become leaders who will generate societal, economic, and environmental benefits. The School is one of the largest and most prestigious schools in Australia for thriving research programs. Our School’s QS ranking for 2025 is #49 globally and the highest in Australia. For further information on the School go to https://www.unsw.edu.au/science/our-schools/chemistry

The Postdoctoral Fellow (Level A) contributes towards research as part of an ARC-funded Discovery Project, focused on synthesising and characterising novel organic and organometallic molecular wires. The fellow performs advanced organic and organometallic syntheses and uses a wide range of analytical techniques to uncover the chemical design principles which control electronic delocalization in molecular wires.

The School is committed to diversity and equity.

Women and staff from diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.

About the role

• $113K - $121K plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 2 years
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

The role reports to Dr. Martin Peeks and has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Conduct research in the areas of organometallic and organic chemistry, and molecular electronics.
• Perform and supervise chemical syntheses, including using air-free techniques such as glovebox and Schlenk line.
• Characterise the products of synthesis and study their properties.
• Write and maintain accurate and up-to-date laboratory notebooks.
• Successfully complete experiments and provide analyses of results in a timely fashion.
• Contribute to the writing of scientific papers, reports, and research proposals and seek collaboration with industry partners as appropriate.
• Assist with the coordination of research activities and laboratory management, and actively contribute to research outputs to meet project milestones.
• Present results at national and international conferences.
• Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
• Assist with the supervision of research students (Honours and PhD) in the research area where required.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

About the successful applicant
(Selection Criteria)

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A PhD or equivalent in inorganic or organic chemistry, with specific expertise and experience in, or adjacent to, the areas identified as “essential” in the list below. On-the-job training is available for areas indicated “desirable”. o Organometallic chemistry (essential)
  • Air-free synthesis, including use of glove boxes and/or Schlenk lines (essential)
  • NMR spectroscopy (essential)
  • Pi-conjugated molecules (desirable)
  • Density functional theory (desirable)
  • Spectroelectrochemistry and vibrational spectroscopy (desirable)
• Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and developments.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality academic research and conduct independent research with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations, relative to opportunity.
• Previous experience in a research environment and in training PhD and Honours students.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with a diverse range of stakeholders and students.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed above in your application.

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact:
Martin Peeks
E: m.peeks@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: September 23rd, 2025

Find out more about working at UNSW at www.unsw.edu.au

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.