The Opportunity

The School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications is seeking a Research Associate to join a research team advancing the modelling, control, and real‑time validation of power‑electronics‑dominated power systems. This role supports the ARC Discovery Project “Making weak power grids work: Models, controls, and interactions”, contributing to cutting‑edge research on DER integration, weak‑grid behaviour, and advanced converter control. Working under the supervision of Dr Georgios Konstantinou at the Real‑time Simulations Laboratory and in collaboration with leading academics across UNSW and Swinburne University, you will develop and experimentally validate innovative control and modelling approaches, support real‑time hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing, and help mentor HDR and thesis students. The goal of the project is to deliver impactful research that strengthens the stability and performance of next‑generation power systems.

This position will give you the opportunity to develop your research skills and output by contributing to the writing of scientific papers and reports for international journals, participating in conferences and workshops, assisting in the supervision of research students, and actively engaging with industry partners.

The role of Research Associate reports to Assoc. Prof. Georgios Konstantinou in collaboration with Prof. Saad Mekhilef (Swinburne University) and Prof. Hemashu Pota (UNSW Canberra) and has no direct reports.

• Salary (Level A) – AUD $113,911 to $121,838 per annum + 17% superannuation
• Full time
• Fixed-term contract – 2 years
• Location: Kensington – Sydney, Australia

About us

UNSW is a world‑leading institution recognised for its scale, prestige, and impact. With strong industry engagement and partnerships across sectors, UNSW provides a unique environment where academic expertise translates into real‑world outcomes. The university is home to cutting‑edge research that drives innovation and societal progress, while its excellence in teaching ensures students are prepared to lead in their fields. For academics, UNSW offers an outstanding platform to flourish — combining world‑class facilities, collaborative networks, and a culture of innovation that supports both career growth and meaningful contributions to the wider community.

The UNSW School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications is one of the largest and most prestigious schools of its kind in Australia. In the last 70 years, our school has grown from a purely teaching institution to one that has made important contributions to the development of electrical engineering in Australia and globally. The School is prominent within the Faculty of Engineering, currently with over 1500 students and 43 academic staff, with an operating budget of around $18 million. For further information about our School, please visit - https://www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/our-schools/electrical-engineering-telecommunications 

Skills & Experience

• A PhD in Power Electronics and Power Engineering, and/or relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated track record of high-quality publications and conference presentations relative to the opportunity.
• 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 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.

Additional details about the specific responsibilities for this position can be found in the position description. This is available via JOBS@UNSW.

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.

To Apply: Please click the apply now button and submit your CV, Cover Letter and Responses to the Skills and Experience. You should systematically address the Skills and Experience listed within the position description in your application.

Please note applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed below.

Contact:

For role-specific inquiries, please contact Assoc. Prof. Georgios Konstantinou

E: g.konstantinou@unsw.edu.au

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Eugene Aves (Talent Acquisition Partner)

E: eugene.aves@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: 11:55 pm (Sydney time) on Friday 10 April 2026

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. 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.