"New Product Development Officer"

As a New Product Development Officer (locally known as Senior Research Technician), you will play a key role in developing innovative food and beverage products as part of the nationally funded Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA). Hosted at UQ’s Centre for Nutrition and Food Science within QAAFI, this role supports industry-led innovation and research translation to boost growth in Australia’s food and beverage sector.

You’ll work hands-on across product categories, supporting formulation, pilot-scale production, and testing. You’ll also collaborate with industry partners, contribute to experimental design, and apply technical expertise in food processing, regulatory compliance, and product evaluation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support the development of new food and beverage products, including formulation and pilot-scale production.
• Assist with experimental design, testing, and sensory evaluation, working closely with industry partners.
• Apply technical expertise in food processing, regulatory compliance, and product safety and quality.
• Maintain and troubleshoot scientific equipment, ensuring safe and efficient lab operations.
• Contribute to research documentation, reporting, literature reviews, and routine team administration.

About FaBA:

Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) is a $160 million initiative to boost growth and innovation in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. Part of the Federal Government’s Trailblazer Program, FaBA leverages $50m of government investment with more than $110m from universities and industry. Partners work across four areas: the research programs ‘Innovative Ingredients’ and ‘Premium Food and Beverage Products’, and the enabling programs ‘Innovation Pathways’ and the ‘FaBA Training Centre’.

About UQ:

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world. Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
• 17% superannuation contributions
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to flexible working arrangements
• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
• UQ Study for Staff
• On campus childcare options
• Free on-site parking (Long Pocket Campus)
• Salary packaging options

About You:

You’ll bring a strong foundation in food science and a passion for innovation, with the ability to apply your technical expertise to support industry and research in developing new products and processes.

• Qualification in Science, Food Science and Technology, Food Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent experience/training.
• Proven experience in new product development and formulation across food and/or beverage applications, including commercialisation.
• Experience with oats and/or grains, and 5+ years in NPD, will be highly regarded.
• Strong technical skills in food processing, regulatory interpretation, and product safety and quality evaluation.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Organised, methodical, and self-motivated, with a commitment to accuracy and excellence.

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section
• Resume