Zain Ul Abideen Engineer · Technologist · Problem Solver
Background

Professional Experience

A background in materials engineering, industrial product development, scientific research, and technical systems.

My Background

My background began with engineering studies at GIKI, followed by a Master's degree at Inha University in South Korea, where I focused on semiconducting oxide and graphene nanocomposites for gas sensing.

I then joined SukgyungAT in South Korea as a Product Development Engineer. In this role, I worked on the synthesis and process optimization of inorganic nanomaterials, helping translate laboratory methods into reliable manufacturing batches for industrial applications.

I later moved to Australia to undertake my PhD at The Australian National University (ANU), working in the Nanotechnology Research Laboratory on flame-synthesized nanomaterials and opto-electronic sensing devices. Following my doctoral studies, I conducted postdoctoral research at UNSW Sydney focusing on sustainable materials, resource recovery, and functional synthesis.

Career

Work History

Selected experience across academic research and industrial product development.

2024 – 2025 Sydney, Australia

Postdoctoral Research Associate

UNSW Sydney

Research focused on sustainable materials, functional synthesis, resource recovery, and advanced characterization.

  • Conducted laboratory synthesis and structural characterization of functional and recycled materials.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary research teams across engineering and physical sciences.
  • Co-authored technical reports and journal articles in high-impact international venues.
2020 – 2024 Canberra, Australia

Ph.D. Researcher

The Australian National University (ANU)

Doctoral research at the Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, developing miniaturized opto-electronic gas and biomarker sensing devices.

  • Primary research contributor for the NATO Science for Peace and Security (AMOXES) sensing project and ANU Our Health in Our Hands (OHIOH) initiative.
  • Designed and built custom testing setups for optical and chemoresistive gas sensors.
  • Published peer-reviewed research papers in international journals including ACS, RSC, IOP, and Wiley.
2016 – 2018 Ansan, South Korea

Product Development Engineer

SukgyungAT Co., Ltd.

Industrial R&D focused on the synthesis, optimization, and scaling of inorganic nanomaterials for commercial applications.

  • Developed and optimized sol-gel, hydrothermal, and flame synthesis methods for functional oxide powders.
  • Assisted in scaling laboratory recipes to pilot manufacturing for optical and electronic applications.
  • Performed material characterization (XRD, SEM, TEM) and quality testing to match customer specifications.
Education

Academic Qualifications

Degrees in materials engineering from institutions in Australia, South Korea, and Pakistan.

2020 – 2024 Canberra, Australia

Ph.D. in Materials Engineering

The Australian National University (ANU)

Specialization: Nanotechnology & Sensing Devices

Thesis: Flame Synthesized Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and Miniaturized Opto-Electronic Devices for Gas Sensing View DOI →
  • Recipient of ANU Ph.D. International Scholarship and HDR Fee Remission Merit Scholarship.
  • Runner-up Best Presentation Award at the ANU OHIOH Symposium.
2014 – 2016 Incheon, South Korea

Master of Engineering in Materials Engineering

Inha University

Specialization: Electronic Materials & Nanocomposites

Thesis: Semiconducting Oxide-Graphene Nanocomposite Gas Sensors for Environmental Monitoring and Noninvasive Medical Diagnostics
  • Recipient of Jungseok International Full Scholarship.
  • Awarded Best Research Student Award by Inha University.
2010 – 2014 Topi, Pakistan

Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering

Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI)

Specialization: Materials Engineering & Metallurgy

  • Four-year engineering degree covering physical metallurgy, thermodynamics, surface engineering, and quality control.
Skills

Technical Skills

Hands-on technical competencies in hardware, synthesis, characterization, and experimental testing.

Technical Systems & Diagnostics

Hardware installation, equipment testing, field diagnostics, and practical problem solving.

Hardware InstallationField DiagnosticsDevice WiringTesting & VerificationTroubleshooting

Materials Synthesis & Processing

Practical synthesis and process optimization for inorganic powders, porous carbons, and thin films.

Flame Spray PyrolysisSol-Gel SynthesisHydrothermal MethodsProcess Scale-UpQuality Control

Characterization & Analysis

Structural, chemical, and morphological analysis of materials and devices.

SEM & TEM AnalysisX-ray Diffraction (XRD)XPS AnalysisSurface CharacterizationSensor Testing

Research & Technical Documentation

Experimental planning, data analysis, and clear technical reporting.

Experimental DesignTechnical WritingData AnalysisLiterature ReviewTeam Collaboration