About UQ

Join UQ, a globally renowned institution fostering a vibrant academic community. Collaborate with brilliant minds from around the world in an interdisciplinary environment. Backed by world-class facilities, ample research funding, grant writing support, and post-fellowship contracts via our UQ Amplify initiative (uq.edu.au/research/research-support/research-management/funding-schemes/uq-internal-initiatives/uq-amplify), UQ empowers research excellence. With a large PhD enrolment and commitment to accessibility (about.uq.edu.au/uq-initiatives/initiative/queensland-commitment), be part of a prestigious institution that empowers academics to thrive and make a lasting impact.

About the Food and Beverage Accelerator

The University of Queensland's Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) is a $160 million initiative aimed at boosting growth and innovation in the food and beverage manufacturing sector, with a goal of doubling the value of Australia's food and beverage manufacturing sector by 2030. The initiative is funded by a $50 million Trailblazer grant from the Australian Government and $110 million from industry and innovation partners, including QUT and UniSQ, and will provide manufacturers access to research teams, pilot facilities, and state-of-the-art equipment. Investment will be distributed across Queensland, including in Toowoomba, Mackay, Cairns, and Brisbane.

• Food and Beverage Accelerator Program (qaafi.uq.edu.au/research/food-beverage-accelerator)
• Join a university ranked in the world’s top 50
• Collaborate with highly awarded, world-class colleagues
• Culture committed to excellence and innovation
• Based at St Lucia campus

This is an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow to join the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability (AGFS).

We are seeking a driven, creative, and inventive future Leader to join our team in the Innovative Ingredients program to establish the field of precision fermentation. We are looking for someone with a passion for discovery and breakthrough thinking. This individual will be responsible for championing systems and synthetic biology, precision fermentation and development through scale-up bioprocesses, that ultimately drive this new field in Australia. We're not just looking for a savvy scientist with a passion for synthetic biology for food, we're seeking a candidate with diverse backgrounds who wants to orchestrate the creative process of innovative food ingredient development in a way that drives research at UQ and enhances the field in Australia.

To view the Candidate Information Booklet for the key responsibilities tap POSITION DESCRIPTION in this page. To apply, please click the APPLY NOW button in this page, tap JOB PORTAL and upload your application in the UQ Careers portal. 

This is a research-focused position. You will spend approximately 80% of your time on research and 20% of your time engaged in service activities, which can include opportunities to develop your teaching abilities. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance (governance-risk.uq.edu.au/files/8832/Approved Criteria Tables %285_70_17%29.pdf).

This is a full-time (100% FTE) fixed-term position for 3.5 years at an Academic Level B or for 3 years at an Academic Level C, commensurate with relevant skills and qualifications.

At Academic level B, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $104,579.67 - $124,187.99, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $122,358.21 - $145,299.95 annually.

At Academic level C, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $128,109 - $147,717, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $149,888 - $172,830 annually.

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, flexible working arrangements including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

Other Information

Work Rights: Visa sponsorship may be available for this appointment.

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion. We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in our broader community, whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to recruitment@uq.edu.au

Level B

• Completion of a PhD in Bioengineering, (Bio)Chemical Engineering, Metabolic Engineering, Systems and Synthetic Biology or Molecular Food Microbiology.
• A growing profile in research in the field of precision fermentation, synthetic biology, genetic engineering, or related field, and experience in bioprocessing.
• A developing reputation and track record of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences, and the development of partnerships with research end users or external collaborators.
• Evidence of successfully seeking, obtaining and managing external research funding.
• A growing record of supervision of Honours and Research Higher Degree students to successful completion.
• Experience in meaningful internal service roles in conjunction with active contributions to external activities.
• An excellent communicator of research to a variety of audiences.

Level C, in addition to Level B

• National recognition, with a developing international profile, in research in the field of precision fermentation, synthetic biology and experience in bioprocessing, evidence for which can include: an established record of publications in reputed refereed journal and conference presentations; a contribution to the transfer of knowledge, technology and practices to research end users, and the development of partnerships with research end users or external collaborators.
• Evidence of contributing to and often leading successful applications for external research funding.
• An established record of effective supervision of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students to successful completion, evidence for which can include: supervisory role contributing to successful completion of Honours or RHD students; developing supervisee capabilities and skills, leading others in the responsible conduct of research, and facilitating engagement opportunities for supervisees.
• Demonstrated achievement and initiative in internal service roles in conjunction with an established record in external activities.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Associate Professor Esteban Marcellin via e.marcellin@uq.edu.au or Professor Mark Turner via m.turner2@uq.edu.au.

For application queries, please contact recruitment@uq.edu.au stating the job reference number (R-25792) in the subject line. Tap POSITION DESCRIPTION in this page to download the information brochure.

To submit an application for this role, clicking the APPLY NOW button from this page, tap JOB PORTAL and go to the UQ Careers site. 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• An outline of their research program.
• Resume
• Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section and identifying how their research complements and supplements the research of staff in FaBA and/or the broader university, including details of possible collaborations.
• The contact details of at least two (2) referees who will be able to write recommendation letters. You will be notified before references are conducted.

Please note that you will be asked to add all documents into the one upload box labelled ‘resume’, which is step one of the application form.

Applications close November 22nd 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (R-25792).