Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Fellow (Molecular Biologist, Drug Discovery)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Fellow (Molecular Biologist, Drug Discovery)

locations

St Lucia Campus

time type

Full time

posted on

Posted 4 Days Ago

job requisition id

R-63992

• Institute for Molecular Bioscience
• Full-time fixed-term position for up to 12 months
• Base salary will be in the range $83,698.91 – $111,431.10 + 17% super (Academic Level A) or $117,120.53 – $138,769.70 + 17% super (Academic Level B)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

Join a visionary and collaborative research environment at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, where discovery science meets real-world impact. This role offers an exceptional opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow or Research Fellow in Molecular Biology to contribute to an ambitious program focused on developing next-generation peptide and protein therapeutics for drug-resistant cancers.

Working alongside peptide chemists, biologists and clinicians, you will lead innovative research from early-stage discovery through to translation and commercialisation, supported by world-class infrastructure and a culture that values curiosity, collaboration and purpose.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research: Design and deliver high-quality molecular biology research, contributing to competitive grant applications, publishing in leading journals, and advancing projects through translational and commercial pathways.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Contribute to the supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, fostering an inclusive and supportive research culture.
• Citizenship and Service: Actively participate in institute and university service, demonstrate behaviours aligned to UQ values, and begin building external partnerships with industry, government and the wider community.

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

About You

You will bring enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity and a commitment to collaborative science, along with:

Level A:

• Qualifications and research experienceCompletion or near completion of a PhD in fields relating to molecular biology. Previous experience in a similar role would be considered favourably.
• Strong experience with molecular biology and biochemistry techniques, including PCR, cloning, and recombinant protein expression. In particular, the candidate should have knowledge of and experience with recombinant display libraries (e.g., phage, yeast and/or mRNA display).
• Experience with cell biology techniques, including cell culturing, flow cytometry, would be considered favourably.
• Research outputsExcellent problem-solving skills, leading to efficient production of quality research outputs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.
• Participated in funding applications directly or indirectly
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and also independently on research projects
• Supervision and Researcher DevelopmentA growing profile in the supervision and training of Honours and Research Higher Degree students to successful completion
• EngagementExperience in meaningful internal service roles

Level B:

• Qualifications and research experienceCompletion of a PhD in fields relating to molecular biology. Previous experience in a similar role would be considered favourably.
• More than 3 years’ of post-PhD research experience with molecular biology and biochemistry techniques, including PCR, cloning, and recombinant protein expression. The candidate should have knowledge of research experience with recombinant display libraries (e.g., phage, yeast and/or mRNA display).
• Experience in other scientific areas, such as structural biology, cell biology and flow cytometry, with evidence of independently running related experiments.
• Research outputsAbility to independently lead research projects, resulting in efficient production of quality research outcomes, with a lead role in some outputs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and sometimes invitations to present at conferences.
• Evidence of successfully seeking, obtaining and managing external research funding, and sometimes leading funding applications
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and also independently on research projects
• Supervision and researcher developmentA developing record of successful supervision and training of Honours and Research Higher Degree students to completion and production of research outcomes, and a developing profile of leading others.
• EngagementExperience in meaningful internal service roles in conjunction with active contributions to external activities.
• Participated in team building and leadership activities.
• Evidence of contributions to progression of knowledge to end users through translation

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, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged. As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad: from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Associate Professor Conan Wang at c.wang@imb.uq.edu.au and Dr Crystal Huang at y.huang@imb.uq.edu.au.

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

When you apply, please ensure you upload a cover letter (maximum of 1 page), resume (maximum of 2 pages), and responses to the ‘About You’ section (maximum of 2 pages). Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualifications checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package, however upfront costs will still be expected to be covered. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing talent@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close Thursday 25 June 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-63992).