"Senior Research Technician – Food Analysis"

Senior Research Technician – Food Analysis

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Location: Long Pocket

Time type: Full time

Posted on: Posted 5 days ago

Job requisition ID: R-52297

Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences

Full-time (100%), fixed-term position until 31/03/2027

Base salary: $80,523.29 - $89,505.38 + 17% superannuation (HEW Level 5)

Location: Based at our Long Pocket campus

About this opportunity

In this role, you will support world-leading research on food and beverage technology, aiding in the development of premium foods and beverages. The position is with the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, part of the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI). As a research technician within QAAFI, you will provide technical expertise in compositional analysis of food products and work collaboratively on strategic and applied research projects under the Trailblazer-funded FaBA research program. Your contribution will support the delivery of impactful outcomes and enhance engagement with industry partners.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate and perform technical aspects of food compositional analysis.
• Assist in the design of research studies under supervision of senior staff.
• Develop and improve methods to efficiently evaluate grain compositional factors affecting processing and the nutritional quality of oats for oat-based products.
• Apply and instruct others in specialist research skills, including sample preparation for chemical analysis, assessment of physico-chemical properties of grain flours, and quality testing of oat-based products.
• Conduct complex experiments, identifying and measuring key quality-determining components in oat-based products.
• Design and conduct shelf-life testing of food products.
• Maintain and troubleshoot scientific equipment.
• Perform other duties as reasonably directed by your supervisor.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds from around the world. Everyone has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff, you’ll contribute to our vision of a better world by supporting academic endeavours across teaching, research, and student life.

Join a workplace where excellence is core to our culture and where your contributions are valued. We offer a range of benefits and rewards, including:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
• 17% superannuation contributions
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Flexible working arrangements (hybrid options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, condensed fortnight)
• Health and wellness discounts (fitness passport access, flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, Employee Assistance Program)
• UQ study opportunities for staff
• Free onsite parking
• Salary packaging options

About you

Essential:

• Degree in science, food science and technology, cereal chemistry or equivalent; or a diploma with relevant work experience
• Experience in cereal quality analysis, particularly grain composition and physico-chemical properties
• Laboratory skills in dough rheology and grain-quality analysis
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently on routine lab tasks
• Strong communication skills; well-organised, methodical, and self-motivated

Desirable:

• Experience with oat or rice quality evaluation (milling, cooking, sensory, nutritional)
• Experience in shelf-life testing of food products
• Previous research support or technical role
• Experience in microbial quality control

The successful candidate may be required to complete pre-employment checks including the right to work in Australia. Employer-sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Questions?

For more information, please contact Thoa Nguyen at thoa.nguyen@uq.edu.au.

For application inquiries, contact the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number in the subject line.

Want to apply?

All applicants must upload the following documents for their application to be considered:

• A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the ‘About you’ section
• A resume

Other information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process. We acknowledge that some applicants may face barriers that impact their career trajectory and encourage you to apply even if not all criteria are met. The selection panel will consider potential and performance relative to opportunities.

We value diversity and are dedicated to equity and inclusion. Reach out to talent@uq.edu.au for accessibility support or adjustments.

Applications close Wednesday, 25th June 2025 at 11:00 PM AEST (R-52297).

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week commencing 7th July 2025.