Laboratory Technician - Sydenham, Australia - MicroTau

Description

Applications Close:
January 16, 2023


Position Commencement:
Immediate


About Us:

MicroTau uses nature's greatest designs to solve the hardest human problems.

We're working with the world's largest aircraft manufacturers and operators to create a 'shark skin' that can save billions in fuel costs and megatonnes in carbon emissions.

We're even helping Top Gun pilots to fly faster.

We are bringing together innovations in biomimicry, materials, advanced manufacturing and aerodynamics, and we want you to be a part of it.

The Roles:

We are hiring for two laboratory technician roles to support the development and testing of new microstructure designs and materials for drag reducing surfaces for aircraft.

The roles will act to support existing staff in two main areas:

performing metrology of microstructured surfaces ('riblets') to make the most advanced and effective drag reducing surfaces in the world; and in materials development to ensure that these surfaces are made from a durable material by formulation and testing of various polymer materials.

You will be joining a young and dynamic team, and you will need to be able to learn quickly, operate with rigour, and adapt to rapid change.

We are looking for anyone with some materials or chemistry experience (formulation or surface characterisation). Persons from a Quality Assurance and Incoming Inspection background may also be suitable.

We are looking for people to start as soon as possible and
are _open_
to short term (minimum 3 months) and long term employment options to achieve this aim.

Qualifications & Attributes:

• Bachelor of Science, Engineering or equivalent (materials and surface characterisation desired)
• Some industry or active lab experience is desired, but not required.
• Fast learner with an attention to detail
• Strong communication and analytical skills, with the desire to learn new skills.
• Proactive and persistent
• Experience with data compilation and reporting (written & verbal)

Metrology &

Microfabrication Role:


Key Responsibilities

• Own the metrology of surfaces produced by our custom micro lithography process, and to provide feedback to the engineering team about the outcome and quality of surfaces.
• Assist in the riblet production and mastering process, and in the maintenance of key equipment.
• Ensure the smooth running of the lab by maintaining stock levels, and ensuring key areas are clean.

Desired Skills

• Surface Characterisation (microscopy, preferred optical)
• Experience with lithographic techniques,
• Basic wet chemistry skills

What Success Looks Like
You will work with our Engineering team to accelerate the development of advanced riblet designs.

You will start by learning how to measure key geometry features of the riblets using optical microscopy and profilometry, and will take over ownership of this data acquisition and reporting within weeks.

You will work closely with our Development and Manufacturing Engineers by providing in-time feedback on test and manufacturing data of microfabricated surfaces.

You will advise your team on successful and unsuccessful outcomes.

Within the first two months you and your team will have completed the development of the highest efficiency ribleted surfaces and will have sent them off for performance testing.

Within the first three months you will have learned the basics of the microfabrication process, and how best to support the activities of the other engineers.

You will be able to perform all of the preparation and processing steps in the microfabrication process, eventually learning to become independent in this process.

You will be guided through your early stages of career development by an experienced team, and allowed to choose your development pathway to learn new skills in a way that suits both you and the business.

Materials Development

& Testing Role:


Key Responsibilities

• Formulate UV curable coatings for improved durability and manufacturability.
• Prepare material samples for materials and durability tests.
• Perform standard durability and analytical chemistry measurements of various materials (FTIR, UTM, DSC, viscosity, etc).
• Assist in maintaining stock levels and sourcing chemicals.

Desired Skills

• Formulation, polymer, organic, or physical chemistry experience (esp. photopolymers & photochemistry)
• Analytical chemical and materials skills (e.g. FTIR, UV-Vis, DSC, UTM )
• Sample Preparation (thin films, moulding, following standards)
• Knowledge of chemical safety

What Success Looks Like

You will work with our Materials Chemistry team to develop a microstructured coating that can survive in the harshest environments.

You will learn how to formulate UV coatings based on instructions from our Senior Materials Chemist with a laser focus on passing critical durability tests, ensuring our product is qualified against aviation material specifications.

You will assist the mat