Research Fellow in Biology

University of Queensland

Overview

• 2 x Full-time (100%) fixed-term positions for up to 2 years
• Base salary: $98,627.46 – $109,246.18 + 17% superannuation (Academic Level A)
• Located at St Lucia Campus
• Food and Beverage Accelerator Program, based at the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability

About This Opportunity

The Australian Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) at UQ drives the future of Australia’s food and beverage sector through industry-research partnerships, advanced manufacturing, and training the next generation of agri-food innovators.

We are seeking two Postdoctoral Research Fellows to join the FaBA–Noumi industry project, hosted at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability (AGFS). In these roles, you will:

• Engineer microbial systems using cutting-edge synthetic biology and metabolic engineering tools
• Optimise yeast platforms for sustainable production of high-value food ingredients
• Collaborate with a world-class team at the interface of academic research and commercial translation

UQ provides world-class facilities, industry connections, and strong professional development support to help you accelerate your research career and contribute to Australia’s industrial biotechnology future.

Position 1: Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Engineering Secretion Pathways in Yeast

This role focuses on enhancing protein secretion in Komagataella phaffii and other industrial yeasts. Responsibilities include:

• Engineering signal peptides, chaperones, folding catalysts, and trafficking components
• Applying CRISPR/Cas9 and modular cloning tools
• Validating engineered strains using molecular, biochemical and omics analyses

This position offers hands-on experience in synthetic biology, strain engineering and industrial biotechnology.

Position 2: Postdoctoral Research Fellow – High-Throughput Secreted Protein Quantification and Systems Biology

This role focuses on developing high-throughput assays (ELISA, LabChip) to quantify secreted proteins and integrating results with multi-omics datasets. Responsibilities include:

• Identifying regulatory or metabolic bottlenecks
• Conducting statistical analysis and systems modelling
• Collaborating with strain engineering and bioprocess teams to connect protein titres with cellular fitness and cultivation parameters

This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in advanced systems biology and industry-informed research.

Key Responsibilities

Research

• Produce high-quality research outputs
• Support commercialisation pathways
• Contribute to funding applications
• Prepare reports and manuscripts
• Apply best-practice research methodologies

Supervision and Researcher Development

• Support junior researchers and students
• Provide effective supervision
• Uphold UQ’s leadership expectations
• Manage research team matters professionally

Citizenship and Service

• Demonstrate UQ values and collaborate effectively
• Contribute to unit operations and committees
• Build early-stage relationships with industry, government and professional bodies

These are research-focused positions. See UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance for more detail.

About the Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA)

FaBA is a $160 million national initiative designed to grow and transform Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing sector. It is part of the Federal Government’s Trailblazer Program and includes:

• $50m government investment
• Over $110m from universities and industry

FaBA works across four areas:

• Innovative Ingredients
• Premium Food and Beverage Products
• Innovation Pathways
• FaBA Training Centre

FaBA provides access to research teams, next-generation professionals, state-of-the-art equipment and pilot facilities. It is hosted by UQ with partners including QUT, UniSQ and UniQuest.

About UQ

UQ is home to a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community with outstanding facilities, grant-writing support, enhanced funding opportunities, and professional development programs.

Benefits of joining UQ include:

• Group of Eight university
• Recognition of prior service from other Australian universities
• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Flexible working arrangements (on-site/WFH)
• Access to internal-only vacancies
• Clear academic promotion pathways

About You

For Position 1 – Engineering Secretion Pathways in Yeast

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Systems Biology, Bioengineering or related field
• Demonstrated high-quality research outputs
• Strong teamwork skills
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities
• Experience mentoring students
• Expertise in yeast molecular biology and protein secretion
• Experience with cloning and genome editing (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9)
• Desirable: Experience engineering chaperones, signal peptides or secretory pathways

For Position 2 – High-Throughput Protein Quantification and Systems Biology

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Systems Biology, Bioengineering or related field
• Demonstrated high-quality research outputs
• Strong teamwork and communication skills
• Experience mentoring students
• Expertise in high-throughput assay development (ELISA, LabChip)
• Strong data analysis/statistics skills
• Experience integrating multi-omics datasets (proteomics, metabolomics)
• Desirable: Systems modelling or HTS assay development for strain optimisation

Desirable for Both Positions

• Conference presentations
• Contributions to external funding applications

Successful candidates may require pre-employment checks (right to work, education verification).

Questions?

Contact:

• Dr Yosephine Gumulya – y.gumulya@uq.edu.au
• Dr Huadong Peng – huadong.peng@uq.edu.au

Application inquiries: talent@uq.edu.au (include job reference number)

Want to Apply?

Please upload:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Responses to the ‘About You’ section
• Specify which position you are applying for

UQ is committed to equity, diversity and accessibility. Contact talent@uq.edu.au for alternative application methods.

Other Information

UQ supports a fair and inclusive selection process. Applicants who do not meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel assesses performance relative to opportunity.

Applications Close

Sunday, 11 January 2026 at 11:00 pm AEST (R-57824)
Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the last two weeks of January.

Apply