Associate Professor - Aerospace Engineering
THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) is in the industrial city of Lae, the second largest city in Papua New Guinea. The city of Lae has an airport with flights to any location in PNG. The University is the only technological university in the Pacific. It has a main campus and three amalgamated colleges. The main campus has 14 academic schools under 6 faculties including a Department of Open and Distance Learning (DODL). It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, natural and applied sciences, built environment, language, and business. The university has an Information Technology Services department and a Library.
Faculty of Engineering (FOE)
The Faculty of Engineering is the cornerstone of technological advancement at PNGUoT, the only technological university in Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific (excluding Australia and New Zealand). The faculty offers cutting‑edge undergraduate and postgraduate programs built on a strong foundation of engineering principles and practical applications.
On this foundation, the faculty is organised into four dynamic schools:
- School of Civil Engineering
- School of Electrical & Communication Engineering
- School of Mechanical Engineering
- School of Mining Engineering
Applications are now invited for the following positions:
School of Mechanical Engineering
The school offers a four-year undergraduate degree and a graduate master’s program in Mechanical Engineering. The school has 10 academic members, 13 technical staff, and 3 administrative staff. There are six laboratories in Thermal and Heat Transfer, manufacturing, material science laboratory, and thermodynamics that includes refrigeration and air conditioning for students’ laboratory work and research, along with a medium- size workshop with facilities for machining, milling, a computer numerical control (CNC) machine, EDM, and fabrication including a 3000-degree Celsius foundry.
The school also has an NDT Centre for research and consultancy service to the industry. Several types of research are done in the areas of design and manufacturing, materials characterization, renewable energy and environment, mechatronics, engineering education, and refrigeration and air conditioning.
Associate Professor – Aerospace Engineering
The University invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced professionals for the position of Associate Professor in Aerospace Engineering within the School of Mechanical Engineering.
The successful candidate will contribute to the University’s vision of developing a world-class Aerospace Engineering programme through excellence in teaching, research, innovation, consultancy and industry engagement.
Areas of Specialisation
Applicants should possess expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Aerodynamics and Flight Dynamics
- Flight Performance and Aerospace Propulsion
- Aerospace Structures and Structural Dynamics
- Aerospace Systems Engineering and Systems Integration
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
- Fluid-Structure Interaction and Aeroelasticity
- High-Performance Computing and Multiphysics Simulation
- Space Engineering
- Spacecraft Design and Systems Engineering
- Orbital Mechanics and Mission Analysis
- Satellite Technology and Applications
- Aircraft Design, Control Systems and Avionics
- Aerospace Materials and Composite Structures
Primary Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
The successful applicant will:
- Deliver high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in Aerospace Engineering and related Mechanical Engineering disciplines.
- Develop, review and continuously improve undergraduate and postgraduate curricula to meet international accreditation and industry standards.
- Design, coordinate and supervise laboratory classes, simulation exercises, engineering design projects and capstone projects.
- Supervise Honours, Master’s and PhD students, providing academic leadership and mentorship throughout their research.
- Establish and lead an active, externally funded research programme in Aerospace Engineering, producing high-quality research published in reputable international peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.
- Secure competitive research grants, consultancy projects and industry-funded contracts to support research, innovation and postgraduate training.
- Develop and strengthen collaborative partnerships with local aviation industries, defence agencies, government organisations, research institutions and international aerospace organisations to advance the University’s research and innovation agenda.
- Undertake professional consultancy and provide technical expertise in areas of Aerospace Engineering relevant to industry and national development.
- Contribute to programme accreditation, quality assurance, academic planning, university governance and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Provide academic leadership by mentoring junior academic staff, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting a culture of excellence in teaching, research and service.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with students, faculty, professional bodies, industry partners and other stakeholders from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
- Demonstrate the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, work collaboratively with colleagues, and contribute effectively to the strategic goals and international reputation of the University.
Qualification & Experience
Applicants must possess:
- A PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics or a closely related discipline.
- A Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) or equivalent qualification from a Washington Accord-accredited institution (or recognised equivalent).
Experience and Technical Expertise
Applicants should demonstrate expertise in several of the following:
- At least 10 years of university teaching, research and/or senior industry experience in Aerospace Engineering or related fields. Including at least 5 years as a Senior Lecturer or equivalent academic experience.
- A distinguished record of internationally recognised research with more than 10 indexed publications and with significant publications, citations and research impact.
- Aerodynamics, flight performance and propulsion systems.
- Aerospace structures, composite materials and structural dynamics.
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and advanced engineering simulations.
- MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, ABAQUS, CAD/CAE and related engineering software.
- Aircraft, spacecraft or satellite systems.
- Aerospace control systems and avionics.
- Laboratory instruction involving wind tunnels, propulsion testing, structural testing or flight simulation.
- High-Performance Computing and engineering modelling.
- Industry or defence sector experience in aerospace engineering.
- Curriculum development and programme accreditation.
- Research leadership, postgraduate supervision and successful grant acquisition.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Outstanding leadership and mentoring capability.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Professional integrity and ethical conduct.
- Commitment to teaching excellence and student success.
- Ability to collaborate across disciplines and with industry partners.
- Commitment to internationally recognised research and innovation.
- Passion for advancing Aerospace Engineering education and research in Papua New Guinea.
Conditions of Service
Base Salary Range: Associate Professor PGK78,441 – PGK95,873 per annum
Base IMA Range: PGK96,481 – PGK123,870 per annum
IMA = International Market Allowance
(Level of appointment depends upon qualification and experience)
The initial contract period is for three years. Benefits include a gratuity of 30% of salary in the first year, 35% in the second year, and 40% in the third year (paid on fortnightly basis), support for approved research, appointment and repatriation fares for yourself and dependents, book & equipment allowance of PGK750.00 per annum, settling-in/out allowance of PGK1,700.00 for single & PGK3,600.00 for accompanied plus PGK200.00 for each of two authorized dependent children (under 19 years) on appointment and repatriation, six weeks paid leave per year, recreation leave fares for yourself, spouse & two authorized dependents after 18 months of service and education fares and assistance towards school fees for authorized dependents are available. Staff members are also permitted to earn from consultancy up to 50% of their earnings annually. Consultancy projects need to be approved by the respective Head of School and the Vice Chancellor’s office. Furnished accommodation is provided on campus. All earnings in PNG attract income tax, the tax rates are progressive and the maximum rate is 40%.
Please note that the settling-in/out allowance varies depending on the country of recruitment.
Application Procedure
Detailed application with curriculum vitae including certified copies of qualifications, names and addresses including email addresses, phone numbers of three (3) current referees including one from past/present employer, if any, should be sent to the address below:
The Executive Director – Human Resources
PNG University of Technology
Private Mail Bag
Lae, 411
Papua New Guinea
Applications must be compiled and sent as one PDF file to recruitment@pnguot.ac.pg with an indication of their earliest availability to take up the appointment.
PLEASE NOTE
- Deadline for all applications is 31st of August, 2026.
- Only shortlisted applications will be acknowledged.
- PNGUoT is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Female applicants are particularly encouraged to apply.