Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Cyanobacterial Culturing And Systems Biology

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.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

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.

This exciting opportunity is a 2-year appointment and is part of a collaboration between three leading institutions: the University of Queensland, Monash University and Bondi Bio. You will contribute to characterising a library of genetically engineered cyanobacterial strains for the production of natural products in instrumented photobioreactors and perform detailed multi-omics characterisation.

 Key responsibilities include:  

Research

• Perform the detailed characterisation of cyanobacterial stains in photobioreactors, including multi-omics sample collection and analysis.

• Manage characterisation pipeline of photobioreactor productivity assays, including co-ordinating with project technical team and industry collaborators.

• Analyse multi-omics data to construct computational models of cyanobacterial metabolism. The models will be used to predict metabolic bottlenecks and generate genetic engineering strategies to  improve strain performance.

• Produce quality research outputs consistent with discipline norms by publishing or exhibiting in high quality outlets.

• Participate in applications for competitive research funding to support projects and activities.

• Work with colleagues in the development of joint research projects and applications for competitive research funding support.

• Contribute to progressing towards transfer of knowledge, technology and practices to research end users through translation, including commercialisation of UQ intellectual property.

• Develop a coherent research program and an emerging research profile.

• Review and draw upon best practice research methodologies.

Supervision and Researcher Development

• Contribute to the effective supervision of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students (as appropriate).

• Demonstrates personal effectiveness in supervision and the management of researcher development.

• Effectively lead and develop supervisee performance and conduct by providing feedback, coaching, and professional development.

• Promptly resolve conflict and grievances when they arise in accordance with University policy and procedures.

Citizenship and Service

• Demonstrate citizenship behaviours that align to the UQ values.

• Exhibit leadership of self through collaboration and active participation in priority activities for the unit

• Provide support to other academic positions and unit operations as required.

• Contribute to internal service roles and administrative processes as required, including participation in decision-making and service on relevant committees.

• Develop external links and partnerships by cultivating relationships with industry, government departments, professional bodies and the wider community.

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

This is a full-time (100% FTE), fixed-term position for up to 2 years. At Academic level A, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $77,324.85 - $102,945.12, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $90,470.08 - $120,445.79 annually. As these roles are covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases in line with the Enterprise Agreement.

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.

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in systems and synthetic biology, biotechnology or related field.

• Demonstrated competence in microorganisms’ cultivation and bioproduction particularly in photobioreactors.

• Demonstrated competence in sampling and analysing ‘omics datasets.

• A strong understanding of microbial metabolism and familiarity with metabolic pathways.

• Previous experience studying cyanobacteria advantageous is highly desirable.

• Previous experience using metabolic models to drive organism design and/or Natural Product biosynthesis experience advantageous.

• Evidence of publications in peer-reviewed journals.

• Capable in at least one programming language/environment (such as Python, MATLAB or similar)

• Demonstrated organisational and problem-solving skills.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills.

• Familiarity or competence with metabolic modelling and the design of metabolic engineering strategies is desirable.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

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

• Background Checks: All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits. 

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We will support you with the visa sponsorship process and a relocation support package if applicable. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Esteban Marcellin at ***********@uq.edu.au. For application queries, please contact ******@uq.edu.au stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

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

• Resume

• Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section

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 the broader community, whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with a disability, or age. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to ******@uq.edu.au.

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.

Applications close Sunday, 30 June 2024  at 11.00pm AEST (R-38778).