Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)

• 2 x Full-time (100%), fixed-term positions for up to 2 years
• Base salary will be in the range $83,698.91 - $111,431.10 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

We are seeking two Postdoctoral Research Fellows to join a multidisciplinary team at AIBN, focusing on metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, bioprocessing and sustainable biotechnology.

There are two positions available:

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Pseudomonas Metabolic Engineering and Fermentation Process Development: work on a collaborative project at the interface of microbial strain and bioprocess development, contribute to research on the metabolic engineering of Pseudomonas putida for the conversion of acetate into valuable products
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Synthetic Biology and Strain Engineering (Pseudomonas): contribute to research that leverages Pseudomonas putida as a robust industrial chassis for sustainable bioproduction and bioremediation.

This is a great opportunity to grow your career by contributing to exciting, innovative research, collaborating in established teams with highly regarded researchers, academics and industry stakeholders.

Key responsibilities for each position will include:

• Research: Contribute to an established a research program, collaborate on research projects, seek and manage research funding, publish in reputable journals, utilize best practice research methodologies, and participate in project discussions.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Contribute to supervision of Higher Degree by Research and Honours students, supervise employees, provide performance feedback and training, resolve conflicts, and ensure correct remuneration and benefits.
• Citizenship and Service: Support the development partnerships, demonstrate leadership through mentoring, engage in internal service roles and committees, perform administrative functions, provide support to colleagues, and uphold university values.

These are research focused positions. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.

For further information or to request a full position description for each position, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

About You

For both Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles, you will have:

• Completion of a PhD in metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, microbial biotechnology, biochemical engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in bacterial genetic engineering (ideally Pseudomonas spp.), including pathway construction, genome editing, and regulatory tuning.
• Proven experience with microbial cultivation and bioprocess development (shake flask to bioreactor) and quantitative interpretation of growth and production data.
• Experience with one or more of: adaptive laboratory evolution, high-throughput screening, sampling and analysing ‘omics datasets.
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills, including a publication record commensurate with opportunity.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to experimental detail, and a commitment to safe laboratory practice.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team as well as demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable for both Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles:

• Experience with redox/energy metabolism engineering, co-feeding strategies, or handling gaseous substrates in microbial cultivation.
• Experience producing or analysing fatty acids/fatty-acid derivatives and relevant analytics (e.g., GC, LC, MS).

Desirable for Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Synthetic Biology and Strain Engineering (Pseudomonas)

• Experience working with complex industrial feedstocks (e.g., molasses, hydrolysates) and managing variability and inhibitors.
• Experience with immobilised-cell systems for challenging process streams.

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, noting your preferred position
• Responses to the ‘About You’ section

Applications close 4 March 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-60061).