"Postdoctoral Fellow - Biochemistry-2600131"

DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY | TE TARI MATŪ KOIORA

FACULTY OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES | TE KAUPEKA MĀTAI ROKOĀ-KOIORA

About us | Mō mātou

The Biochemistry Department is a large research and teaching department housed in a well-equipped building. We teach biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology, and related subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and carry out research into how life works at the molecular level.

The Role | Te Mahi

A postdoctoral position is available on a New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowships funded project with Dr Matthias Fellner in the Department of Biochemistry.

This research project aims to develop new antibiotic compounds for the bacterial pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. As part of a large international team the work at Otago is focused on the production and in vitro characterization of several enzymes in parallel (proteases and hydrolases). 

This research programme is part of an international effort to answer the call for the development of new therapeutics to treat Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. We work closely with local and international researchers that cover all areas that are needed to bring new treatment options to the clinic. You will be part of this network as the driving force of in vitro characterizations. You will coordinate with collaborators on the priority of targets and compounds, ensuring timely updates and attend regular meetings. Flexibility to perform experiments outside the main objectives is critical. We are a diverse group bound together by our research interests. Teamwork, respect and inclusivity are key aspects of working in the Fellner lab.

You will also be expected to aid in organising and attending community engagement events within New Zealand. Including Māori and Pacifica communities in the ongoing research is critical. 

The successful candidate will be required to work for no more than a month at laboratories of collaborators in America, Europe or Asia. You will also travel regularly to the Australian Synchrotron facility in Melbourne and aid in organising synchrotron travel and shipments throughout the year.

There will be an opportunity for you to develop our own research identity while working on this project.

Your skills and experience | Kā pūkeka me kā wheako

Essential:

•    A PhD in biochemistry, pharmacology, chemical biology or a similar discipline.

•    Organised, independent, proactive, detailed focused.

•    Experience in protein production via E. coli, including cloning and purification.

•    Experience in functional enzyme characterisation – chromatography, electrophoresis, activity assays, binding assays etc.

•    Experience in structural enzyme characterisations, in particular X-ray protein crystallography (Macromolecular X-ray crystallography, MX).

Preferred:

•    Mass spectrometry experience (whole or digested protein - proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, LC-MS).

•    Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) experience.

•    Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experience.

•    Circular Dichroism (CD) experience.

•    Microbiology experience beyond E. coli.

Further details | Pūroko

The University of Otago is New Zealand’s oldest university and is well-known for its collegiality and excellent work-life balance. The Dunedin campus has been ranked as one of the most beautiful in the world. The vibrant city of Dunedin provides opportunities for relatively affordable living, excellent schools, and a great array of activities, ranging from art to outdoor activities.

The University aspires to be a Te Tiriti led university. The foundation of this is our relationship with mana whenua as described in Te Kaha Uia Te Kaha, the Mana-to-Mana Agreement. We are committed to working closely with iwi and Māori organisations as matauranga Māori becomes an integral part of teaching and research across the institution.

This is a full-time (1 FTE), fixed-term position for 2.5 years, located in Ōtepoti, Dunedin, with a start date of 1st May 2026.

The salary for this position is $92,350 per annum.

Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Matthias Fellner via the contact details below.

Application | Tono

Candidates are requested to submit the following:

•    A CV

•    A Cover Letter

•    Names and email addresses of at least three referees

To submit your application please click the apply button. Applications quoting reference number 2600131 will close on Sunday, 1 March 2026.

Additional Information

Contact:Dr Matthias Fellner

Position details:Information Statement

Guidelines for Academic Positions:Guidelines

Further Information:Department Website

Create an email with a link to this vacancy:Create email

Location:About Dunedin

Primary Location NZL-SI-Dunedin

Employment Status Fixed Term 

Salary Level and Range Postdoctoral Fellow ($92,350)

Organisation Biochemistry

Job Function Research