Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Maritime Array Sensor Fusion

• Full-time, Fixed-Term 2-Year Contract, Academic Level A
• Penrith Campus with occasional field and multi-site work
• Salary: $97,153 – $117,376 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading

Shape the future of neuromorphic sensing for autonomous maritime systems through cutting-edge underwater AI research and field deployment.

The Opportunity
The International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems (ICNS), part of the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the ASCA project (Aqua Colliculus Autonomous Neuromorphic Sonobuoy Network for Multi-Modal Sensing and Decision-Making).

This role sits at the intersection of electrical engineering, neuroscience, computer science, and signal processing delivering real-world impact through neuromorphic maritime sensing systems. You will contribute to the design and implementation of advanced underwater acoustic localisation, tracking, and classification systems, with a strong focus on spiking neural networks (SNNs) and low-power FPGA-based inference.

You will play a key role in developing next-generation hydrophone array systems and neuromorphic preprocessing pipelines that operate reliably in complex, noisy, and dynamic underwater environments.

Working within a highly interdisciplinary and internationally connected research team, you will help translate theoretical models into field-deployable systems, supporting experimental validation, sensor integration, and real-world maritime trials.

This is a hands-on research role that combines algorithm development, embedded system design, and field experimentation to advance the frontier of autonomous underwater sensing.

What Success Looks Like:

• Delivery of validated underwater acoustic localisation and tracking algorithms with robust benchmarking and evaluation.
• Development of neuromorphic models enabling anomaly detection, classification, and localisation cue inference.
• Reproducible and well-documented research pipelines supporting experimental integrity and scalability.
• Successful integration of hydrophone arrays and synchronised multi-channel acquisition systems.
• Effective contribution to field trials, multi-sensor experiments, and publication outputs in high-impact venues.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• You are an Australian citizen (mandatory requirement for this role).
• You hold a PhD (or have submitted your thesis) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Signal Processing, Acoustics, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• You bring strong experience in underwater acoustics or multi-microphone/hydrophone array processing, including beamforming, localisation (e.g., TDOA/ITD), and calibration techniques.
• You have demonstrated capability in developing sensor systems and field-deployable research platforms, including DAQ, timestamping, and synchronisation.
• You are highly proficient in Python and/or C/C++, with strong experience in Linux environments and version control (Git).
• You have a strong publication record and experience delivering reproducible research outputs in collaborative environments.
• You are comfortable working across disciplines and contributing to team-based research, with exposure to FPGA or embedded systems considered highly desirable.

Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Dr Ying Xu, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Auditory Neuromorphic Engineering via ying.xu@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1456O.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Monday 27 July 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of full-time working rights in Australia at application.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.
 

About The International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems (ICNS)
The International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems (ICNS) is a Centre within the MARCS  Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development.

The Centre is explicitly interdisciplinary, by combining electrical engineering, computer science, signal processing, and neuroscience. ICNS’s  focus is on developing Neuromorphic Engineering solutions to existing problems. The Centre has  strong international partnerships within the Neuromorphic engineering community.  Further  information is available from our website http://westernsydney.edu.au/icns.