- $86,284 - $108,025 (Level A)
- Fixed Term (12 months), Full Time, Joondalup Campus
- Open to candidates with relevant working rights

POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

JOONDALUP CAMPUS $86,284 - $108,025 (LEVEL A) FIXED TERM (12 MONTHS), FULL TIME

Edith Cowan University Are you ready to belong to a dynamic community where courage, creativity, and optimism are essential elements of our DNA? At ECU we’re inspired by the incredible achievements of Edith Cowan, the first woman elected to an Australian parliament and a lifelong champion of education. Empowered by her legacy, we’re united in our vision to lead the sector in educational experience and expand our impact through world-class research. Embrace an opportunity to become part of something extraordinary.

The School of Engineering The School of Engineering has an excellent track record of rapid expansion and program diversification, whilst maintaining exceptional rigour and quality in the delivery of engineering programs at Bachelor, Masters, and PhD levels.

The School has a strong commitment to delivering very high quality engineering education with depth and breath, producing world class research outcomes, and engaging with and community stakeholders to the benefit of teaching and research activities and to improve graduate outcomes. The School of Engineering has strong track record of partnership with world-class research organisations, Industry and of achieving outcomes and impact.

About The Opportunity

This is an opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the Mineral Recovery Research Centre (MRRC) in the School of Engineering at Edith Cowan University’s Joondalup campus. The successful candidate will contribute to the ARC Research Hub for Critical Energy Separation Materials (ARC CREST), working with researchers and industry partners to develop more sustainable processes for the recovery and purification of lithium and other critical minerals.

We seek a researcher with a PhD in chemical engineering, mineral processing, materials science or a related field, and experience in mineral extraction, separation technologies or process development. The role involves independent experimental research, collaboration across disciplines, publication of findings and delivery of project milestones.

Key Responsibilities Will Include





- Design and conduct research to improve the recovery and purification of lithium and other critical minerals from mineral resources.
- Investigate how feedstock characteristics and processing conditions affect extraction efficiency and product purity.
- Develop and optimise separation, purification and reagent recovery processes.
- Characterise mineral feedstocks, process streams and products using appropriate analytical techniques.
- Integrate and validate process stages at laboratory scale and contribute to scale-up recommendations.
- Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and identify potential intellectual property.
- Prepare technical reports and collaborate with researchers and industry partners to deliver ARC project milestones.
- Mentor students and junior researchers and contribute to a safe, team-oriented research environment.

About You

- A PhD in chemical engineering, mineral processing, materials science or a closely related discipline.
- Evidence of recognised research publications in recent years in a relevant field.
- Demonstrated experience in experimental research related to mineral recovery, separation, purification or process development.
- Experience contributing to research projects involving industry partners.
- Effective interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate research findings to academic and industry audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
- A PhD in chemical engineering, mineral processing, materials science or a closely related discipline, or a PhD thesis submitted for examination in one of these fields.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in lithium or other critical mineral recovery, including mineral processing, solvent-based separation or purification.
- Experience integrating laboratory processes and contributing to scale-up or techno-economic assessments.
- Proficiency with analytical techniques used to characterise mineral feedstocks, process streams or products, such as SEM/EDX and XRD.




- Experience preparing grant proposals, peer-reviewed publications, technical reports or reports for industry partners.
- Experience working across disciplines and with industry or international research collaborators.
- Experience mentoring students or research assistants and coordinating research activities.

Benefits Of Working At ECU At ECU we’re committed to fostering a positive employment experience and believe this is fundamental to the success and satisfaction of our employees. Growth and development matter here, because we recognise people are at the centre of everything we do. Our thriving work culture is guided by the ECU values and complemented by a range of employee benefits; visit our website to read about flexible working arrangements, generous leave entitlements, our commitment to Wellbeing, exclusive corporate discounts and industry-leading superannuation.

Contact

Questions about this position can be directed to Professor Amir Razmjou at [email protected]

Application Process

Please upload an up-to-date resume summarising your experience and achievements, along with a brief covering letter of no more than 2 pages outlining your suitability for the role.

Advert Closure

Applications close on Monday 7 December 2026 at 11:30pm AWST.

ECU reserves the right to close the advertisement before the stated closing date, and encourage applicants to submit their applications early.

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FROM CANDIDATES WHO HAVE THE RELEVANT WORKING RIGHTS TO FILL THIS POSITION.

ECU is a diverse and inclusive workplace with specific strategies and initiatives in place to address underrepresentation of specific groups. We strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age and faith. For more information on our commitment to equity and diversity, please visit our Inclusive Workplace website.

At ECU, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively encourage people with disability to apply to ECU. To discuss how we can support adjustment requirements, please contact the person listed above.

📌 Post Doctoral-Research Fellow (City of Joondalup)
🏢 Edith Cowan University
📍 City of Joondalup