Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Space Engineering, UNSW Canberra
Employment type: Full-time (35 hours)
Duration: Continuing
Remuneration: B/C – Level B from $127,947/Level C from $155,403 plus leave loading and 17% super
Location: UNSW Canberra, ADFA Campus
About UNSW Canberra
School of Engineering and Technology is the biggest school at UNSW Canberra consisting of Aeronautical, Mechanical, Civil and Electrical Engineering disciplines as well as including Space.
UNSW Canberra distinguishes itself from other institutions by its commitment to being thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all endeavours. This combined approach is integral to the university's impact and contributes to its recognition as one of the top 20 universities globally, as well as a proud member of Australia's esteemed Group of Eight.
Why Your Role Matters:
UNSW Canberra Space is Australia’s leading university-based space engineering research centre. Since 2014, we have designed, built, launched, and operated five satellites across four missions, secured more than $30M in funding, and established one of the nation’s most advanced Space Domain Awareness (SDA) research capabilities.
We are seeking a Lecturer (Level B) or Senior Lecturer (Level C) in Space Engineering to join a high-impact team delivering real missions, operating nationally significant research infrastructure, and shaping Australia’s future space workforce.
This is more than a traditional academic role. The successful candidate will join a centre with:
- On-orbit satellite heritage including proximity operations and formation flying
- Australia’s largest university-led Space Domain Awareness sensor network, incorporating optical, passive RF, and international partner nodes
- Australia’s first experimental Space Domain Awareness Operations Centre, supporting real-time tracking, analysis and mission support
- The Australian National Concurrent Design Facility (ANCDF) — Australia’s premier rapid space mission design capability, having delivered more than 25 mission studies for government, defence and industry
- World-leading plasma and electric propulsion research, advancing next-generation in-space manoeuvrability, formation flying, and sustainable orbital operations
UNSW Canberra Space maintains deep partnerships across Defence, government, industry and international collaborators.
About the Role
The appointee will contribute to teaching and research within the School of Engineering & Technology while leveraging the infrastructure, partnerships and mission heritage of UNSW Canberra Space.
We welcome applicants with expertise aligned to one or more of the Centre’s strategic focus areas:
- Space Domain Awareness and Space Traffic Management
- Satellite systems, formation flying and on-orbit operations
- Plasma and electric propulsion systems
- Mission design and systems engineering (including ANCDF participation)
- Cyber resilience for space systems
- Space environment modelling and mitigation
- AI/ML for low-SWaP space systems and large constellations
Who You Are (skills and experience):
- A PhD in Space Engineering or a related discipline.
- A profound understanding of space engineering principles, methodologies, and best practices, with a track record of academic and professional accomplishments in this field.
- An independent research portfolio or the potential to develop one.
- Evidence of teaching and supporting students.
Benefits and Culture:
UNSW is committed to helping staff balance work-life responsibilities, by providing access to high-quality services, facilities, and flexible work and leave arrangements.
- Flexible working options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
- Additional three days leave during December festive period
- Career development opportunities
- Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
- Flexible 17% superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice
- Free gym access
- UNSW-wide strategy to focus on Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Places and Healthy Culture.
Eligibility:
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold full rights to work in Australia to be considered for this position.
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
Pre-Employment Checks
Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.
These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:-
• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks
• Medical Checks and Assessments
Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.
How to Apply:
Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. Submit your application online before Tuesday 10 March 2026, at 11:30pm, including your CV and a 1–2-page cover letter addressing the required skills and experience outlined in the position description.
Get in Touch:
For role-related queries please contact:
Melrose Brown - Director UNSW Can Space
melrose.brown@unsw.edu.au
For recruitment process-related queries please contact:
Holly Whale – Talent Acquisition Consultant
h.whale@unsw.edu.au
Applications cannot be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed.
Find out more about the lifestyle and benefits when working with UNSW
For further information about UNSW Canberra, please visit: UNSW Canberra
For further information on living in Canberra, please visit: Living in Canberra
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.
