Lecturer in Mechatronics Engineering

Job no: HRC0009113

Category: Academic Level B

Base Salary: $112,717 – $133,853 plus 17% superannuation

Position: Full-time, Continuing

Location: Callaghan Campus

Our university

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and create a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision and our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability, the University of Newcastle’s Looking Ahead Strategic Plan 2020-2025 outlines the University’s commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience and serving our communities.

For more information click here – Our Uni.

Our school

The School of Engineering is one of the most research-intensive Schools within the University. The School offers Engineering degree programs in Aerospace Systems, Chemical, Civil, Computer Systems, Electrical and Electronic, Environmental, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Medical, and, Renewable Energy as well as degree programs in Surveying and Geospatial Engineering. It is rated well above the sector average for quality of overall experience for undergraduate engineering students and for median salaries and is equipped with modern teaching and research facilities for staff.

The University was established to serve the Hunter and Central Coast. The Hunter region has the greatest growth in NSW outside of the Sydney Basin and is home to the Newcastle Port, Williamtown airport and the Williamtown RAAF base as well as developers and manufacturers of a diverse range of technologies and devices. It is rich in natural mineral and water resources, electricity generation capacity and food and wine producers and offers exciting opportunities for research and industrial collaboration. The School is highly research active, contributing substantially to the overall research inputs and outputs of the College and University. This is reflected in the 2018 Excellence in Research in Australia outcomes where Electrical, Civil, Mechanical and Resource engineering FOR codes received an ERA5.

Be challenged and imagine with us

The School of Engineering is seeking to appoint a Lecturer specialising in Mechatronics Engineering, undertaking research into priority areas including energy-based modelling and control. As the degree program is focussed on Autonomous Systems, the successful applicant will teach from a model-based control systems perspective. You will also have the opportunity to support the NU Marine team (as part of the international RobotX competition) and create and evolve ongoing collaborative relationships with local and international Mechatronics industries, including industries operating in the Williamtown RAAF airbase precinct.

How will you inspire us

The successful candidates will have:

• A PhD in Mechatronics Engineering or related field with a strong background in analytical mechanics and energy-based control methods.
• Demonstrated record of high-quality contribution to research, including evidence of international and national research and industry collaborations/partnerships.
• Demonstrated recent record of successfully taking a chief investigator role (often in conjunction with more experienced researchers) in funding initiatives and obtaining, competitive, external research funding including industry funded research.
• Demonstrated recent active supervision of honours and masters research projects as well as Higher Degree by Research students.
• Demonstrated recent ability to contribute to teaching at undergraduate and honours levels, taking responsibility for the preparation and delivery of course modules. Specialist areas of teaching for this role include analytical mechanics and energy-based control methods.
• Demonstrated recent ability to efficiently perform in allocated internal roles, sharing academic service responsibilities, contributing to outcomes of internal committees, and beginning to develop external collaborations.
•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including an inter-disciplinary way of working, capacity to build relationships and engagement with industry stakeholders. 

What we offer 

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

• flexible working arrangements (in line with the University’s Flexible Work Policy);
• 17% super and salary packaging;
• additional University Holiday days, generous personal leave and parental leave, annual leave loading and additional purchased leave scheme;
• discounts in private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more;
• wellbeing programs. 

For information on our employee benefits please visit here.  

Your next steps 

Please visit here for a guide on how to apply for a role. It’s important you read this document to ensure you are providing all the requirements of your application. 

If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ to reach the University's website, where copies of the Position Descriptions can be accessed. Please download the relevant copy before commencing your application. 

Candidates will be contacted following Selection committee Review in December with interviews scheduled to take place in January 2025. Referees will not be contacted without consent, and reference checks will take place following the interview process.

Your application must include:

• Your ORCID ID (if relevant)
• A URL link to your University Academic Profile (or equivalent)
• A Cover Letter:
• outlining your interest in the role
• include contact details for a minimum of three relevant referees.
• A statement formally addressing each criterion of the Essential and Desirable Criteria, as provided in the relevant Position Description attached below.
• Your CV, which should be a maximum of five pages and be succinct and discipline appropriate. 

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document. 

Your Cover Letter should not exceed 1 page and Response to the Essential and Desirable Criteria should not exceed 4 pages.

For the full list of the selection criteria and role responsibilities, please download the relevant Position Description for which you are applying (available in the Related Documents section below). 

For specific position enquiries, please contact Associate Professor Thomas Fiedler, School of Engineering at thomas.fiedler@newcastle.edu.au or on (02) 4921 6188.

Having Difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au

Move to Newcastle

A move to Newcastle, Australia offers you the choice to live in the city, by the sea or near bushland - the region offers a wonderful place for a family to grow and the opportunity to strike a work/life balance.

Visit the City of Newcastle site to imagine your future in Newcastle.

Closing date: Thursday 5th December, 2024 at 11.59pm AEDT

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you!

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.  

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Birpai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.

#LI-CH1