POSITION STATEMENT ACADEMIC STAFF

UTS:HUMAN RESOURCES

POSITION: Postdoctoral Research Associate

FACULTY: Faculty of Engineering and IT, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

ACADEMIC SUPERVISOR’S NAME: Associate Professor Kirk Vessalas

POSITION: Associate Professor in Cement and Concrete Technologies
DUTIES OF THE POSITION: Project Lead of SmartCrete CRC project

POSITION PURPOSE

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will undertake research to investigate the key technical risks and
performance requirements for adopting the use of mineral carbonation products as supplementary
cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete and cement products. The Research Associate will be
collaborating closely with academic investigators (UTS) and industry partners (MCi Carbon and Transport
for New South Wales) to facilitate the development of mineral carbonation products and assess
conformance for the acceptance of mineral carbonation products as SCMs in Australian Standards and
road authority specifications. The incumbent will also oversee the completion of the stages of the research
program, supervise a PhD student and meet deadlines for the completion and reporting progress for each
stage of the program, including conducting standard performance tests, identifying potential benefits and
conducting field trials with partners leading to commercialisation.

RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP

• Conduct literature review to develop up-to-date understanding of the research area and provide
background knowledge in support of project planning and execution to meet project objectives.
• Develop, conduct and monitor experimental testing programs and field trials for acquiring data.
• Identify additional research areas and resources including experimental setups and characterisation
studies required to meet project deliverables.
• Generate high-quality project reports, meeting deadlines without compromising research quality.
• Report research progress to investigators and ensure close communication between project team, as
well as assist in reporting progress and deliverable milestones to SmartCrete CRC.
• Supervise PhD student and contribute to relevant technical and academic publications.

ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

• Work with the project leads in administering and managing the project team in the execution and
delivery of the research project operations and outcomes.
• Assist project leads in supervising technical staff, and establish and maintain effective working
relationships with key stakeholders.
• Provide technical leadership in binder, cement, mortar and concrete testing methodologies, materials
characterisation and field trial evaluations of mineral carbonation products compared against
conventional SCM products such as fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag and amorphous silica.
• To undertake special projects, which will benefit the work as directed by the project lead team.

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 CONSULTING/EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES

• Work with the project partners to secure approval for field trials from regulatory authorities.
• Develop and promote the University, Faculty and School’s relations with professional, government and
industry bodies.

UTS CAPABILITIES
Further information can be found in the following weblink:
It would also be appropriate to discuss the UTS capabilities required for the role with your HR Partner. Please
note that this section should also be included in non-management positions. Please choose a maximum of
6-8 Capabilities.

Pipeline
Category Self Awareness Relating to Others Thinking Style Performance
Displays courage Collaborates Inspires innovation Achieves results
Capabilities Adapts and Enhances team Embraces diversity Manages projects
responds to change effectiveness

HEALTH AND SAFETY

All staff must:

• Take reasonable care of, and cooperate with actions taken to protect, the health and safety of both
themselves and others.
• Follow specific health and safety procedures as directed and comply with the requirements of UTS
Health and Safety policy which is accessible at: http://www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/health-safety-
policy.html .
• Thoroughly understand the UTS Health & Safety Management System, and how to implement the UTS
Health and Safety Policy and related risk management programs that apply to the area of
responsibility.
• Understand the major hazards, risks profile, compliance requirements and correct safe work
procedures in their area of responsibility, including the reporting of hazards and incidents.
• Ensure that staff receive the necessary induction, training and instruction about work health and
safety.
• Assist the Dean/Director in developing, implementing and monitoring the local area Health and Safety
Plan.
• Fulfil any assigned responsibilities under the UTS and local area Health and Safety Plan, including
communication and consultation with stakeholders regarding work health and safety risks in their area
of responsibility.
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to health and safety by challenging unsafe behaviour/attitude and
providing leadership on work health and safety matters.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

• Staff members are responsible for complying with the Records Management Program for their faculty
or area.

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KEY SELECTION CRITERIA ACADEMIC STAFF
UTS:HUMAN RESOURCES

POSITION: Postdoctoral Research Associate

FACULTY/SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT/UNIT: Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology,
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Skills and Attributes

• Demonstrated self-motivation and ability to work both independently and in a team, prioritising tasks
and meeting deadlines for given set of tasks.
• Ability to develop innovative approaches to solving research problems and delivering results to meet
industry needs.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills including strong presentation skills to report
research progress to academic and industry partners, including proven ability to write technical
papers.
• Excellent interpersonal skills supported by negotiation, verbal reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Proven knowledge in the evaluation of cement, mortar and concrete products, including assessment of
fresh and hardened properties, and time-dependent and durability behaviours.
• Strong analytical skills in carrying out characterisation studies on cementitious products and systems.
• Understanding to incorporate the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action.
• Ability and capacity to implement required health and safety policies and procedures.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the chemistry of Portland cement, SCMs and binary and ternary blended binders, and
concrete mix design, including self-consolidating concrete technologies.
• Proven understanding of the features of cement binders influencing workability, mechanical, time-
dependent and durability properties of cement pastes and mortar and concrete systems.
• Knowledge of cement and concrete testing methodologies pertaining to Australian Standard methods.
• Knowledge of analytical skills for undertaking characterisation studies on cement-based materials.
• Health and safety procedures specific to the laboratory environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in materials science or engineering or civil engineering.

• A bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering, or civil engineering.
• A dissertation topic related to investigating cementitious materials and concrete systems.

Experience required

• Experience in overseeing and undertaking cement, mortar and concrete experimental testing
programs, including field trials and characterisation studies.
• Experience in collaborating closely with partner investigators
• Experience in materials science or civil or chemical or structural engineering.

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• Experience in supervising students and mentoring in research projects.
• Experience in training technical staff on laboratory equipment.
• Good publication record in recognised journals and conferences.