"Fermentation Scientist"

Job Description:

• Food and Beverage Accelerator Program: Based in the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position through to December 2027
• Base salary will be in the range $102,166.05 - $109,246.18 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

We are seeking a hands-on Fermentation Scientist to operate, optimise, and design experiments using lab-scale bioreactor systems. You will generate the high-quality biological datasets required to train the biological layer of a digital twin, a computational model that predicts how bioprocesses behave at different scales, and work closely with engineers and data scientists to integrate experimental outputs into computational models.

This role is ideal for someone who loves running fermentations, troubleshooting real systems, and contributing directly to next-generation process development tools.

Key responsibilities will include:

Research:

• Set up, optimise and maintain the instrumented bioreactors in coordination with the IDEA Bio team.
• Design and execute fermentation experiments to measure growth, yield, product formation, and environmental responses of microorganisms.
• Perform baseline cultivations and modified-condition experiments used to mimic pilot-scale hydrodynamics
• Maintain rigorous data collection, sample logging, and QC standards.
• Work closely with the modelling team to ensure experiments generate the required parameters for model training.
• Contribute to design of automated workflows for running multi-condition and perturbation studies.
• Carry out sample preparation and analysis on instruments to satisfy and accomplish research outcomes.
• Prepare experimental summaries for milestone reports and publications.
• Organise and maintain bioreactors and probes/sensors.
• Coordinate sample preparation workflows with the proteomics and metabolomics teams.
• Assist the development of research and testing procedures and methodologies, including analysis of quality outcomes.
• Perform standard maintenance on instruments for optimal performance.
• Assist in the preparation of engineering reports, documentation, and milestone deliverables.
• Produce quality research outputs consistent with discipline norms by publishing or exhibiting in high quality outlets.
• Other duties, as reasonable directed by the supervisor

Supervision and Researcher Development:

Supervise Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, supervise and manage employees, provide performance feedback and training, resolve conflicts, and ensure correct remuneration and benefits.

Citizenship and Service:

Develop partnerships, demonstrate leadership through mentoring, engage in internal service roles and committees, perform administrative functions, provide support to colleagues, and uphold university values.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.

About You

You are an experienced and highly motivated fermentation scientist ready to apply your subject matter expertise and advance the development of a Digital Twin for Bioprocess Scale-Up/Scale-Down and Optimisation.

You will have:

• Completion of a relevant undergraduate and PhD in microbiology, biotechnology, biochemical engineering or related discipline with subsequent experience cultivating microorganisms in instrumented bioreactors.
• Demonstrated research-relevant knowledge and skills with the operation of instrumented bioreactors and relevant operation software.
• Demonstrated research-relevant knowledge and skills in the development of bioprocesses: batch, fed-batch, continuous, scale-up criteria.
• Strong understanding of experimental design and data quality control.
• Demonstrated experience in the cultivation of microorganisms (bacterial, yeast), including screening methods, media selection and standard growth kinetics characterisation.
• Demonstrated laboratory skills (media and buffer preparation, sample preparation, implementation of experimental protocols etc.)
• Ability to work collaboratively with the modelling team.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to plan, prioritise tasks, meet deadlines, and work adaptably both independently and in a team.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to produce clear, succinct documentation.
• Strong expertise in the Microsoft Office suite of programs, GraphPad Prism, and the ability to learn new programs (e.g., LabArchives, BioRender).

Desirable

• Experience with precision fermentation or industrial strains.
• Familiarity with off-gas analysis, metabolite assays, bioprocess analytics (e.g. HPLC data)
• Knowledge in fermentation control, optimisation and scale-up.
• Experience in the use of electronic lab books.
• Familiarity with the Python programming language.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Responses to the ‘About You’ section

Applications close Sunday 4 January 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-59580).