Job Description

• Can you work in an organised and structured manner without supervision
• Do you have a proven research track record and experience writing scientific articles?
• Have you got a background in experimental research on superconductivity or quantum spintronics?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the MacDiarmid Institute on a 24-month fixed-term, full-time contract.

A postdoctoral fellowship creates immense scientific value when it brings together the deep expertise and skill set developed during a PhD, with a new topic, set of techniques, or application area. We are particularly interested in encouraging the fertilisation of these interdisciplinary or inter-expertise areas of collaboration and therefore will require that the postdoctoral supervisor not be the PhD supervisor.

These fellowships are intended to support early career researchers and therefore candidates should be within two years of completing their PhD studies as of the 27 February 2026 to be considered eligible (any career breaks or part-time work due to family responsibilities will be taken into account to extend eligibility, and this extension should be confirmed prior to application, via email to rosie.wayte@vuw.ac.nz). Successful holders of the post-doctoral fellowship will be expected to support and implement the vision and mission of the MacDiarmid Institute.

Key responsibilities:

• Under the supervision of a MacDiarmid Institute Investigator, build up a research project that aligns with the MacDiarmid Institute’s Research Plan and at least one of the research programmes (Catalytic Architectures, Future Computing, Pūtaiao Māori and Reconfigurable Systems).
• Ensure that the research project must contribute in a strategically important way to one or more MacDiarmid Institute projects as outlined in the 2025-2028 Research Plan (research plan can be provided on request).
• Work in an organised and structured manner without supervision.
• Successful holders of the post-doctoral fellowship will be expected to support and implement the vision and mission of the MacDiarmid Institute.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

Key requirements:

• Candidates must be supervised by a MacDiarmid Institute team including at least one supervising Investigator who works at one of the MacDiarmid Institute partner organisations. The supervising Investigator must be a current MacDiarmid Institute Principal Investigator (PI) or Associate Investigator (AI).
• PhD in a relevant subject area, completed within the previous two years (as calculated on the 27 February 2026, and allowing for any career interruptions as confirmed with the hiring team).
• Proven research track record.
• Experience in micro- and/or nanofabrication of electronic or spintronic devices, including lithography and patterning techniques.
• Experience in low-temperature electronic transport measurements and cryogenic experimental techniques.
• A background in experimental research on superconductivity or quantum spintronics.
• Demonstrate own research does align with one of the MacDiarmid Institute research programmes (Catalytic Architectures, Future Computing, Pūtaiao Māori and Reconfigurable Systems).
• Demonstrated experience in writing scientific articles.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively.
• Drive, enthusiasm, integrity, openness.
• Ability to work in an organised and structured manner without close supervision.

Click here to see further information, including salary details.

If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University careers page.

Close date for vacancy: 16 June 2026.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please get in touch with Rosie Wayte, (rosie.wayte@vuw.ac.nz).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter.

Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.

Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise