Research Fellow – Computational Chemist - Peptide Permeability

As part of the UQ community, you’ll 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.

A postdoctoral position is available in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science (CIPPS) to use computational analysis and machine learning methods to interpret data relating to the screening and development of peptide-based drug leads with a particular focus on optimising their permeability and uptake.

This appointee will be responsible for using computational tools to understand the factors that contribute to Peptide Permeability. This will involve coordination with scientists undertaking biological assays, including PAMPA, Caco-2 cell and CAPA permeability assays, analysing data and liaising with Centre researchers on project results.

Seeking an outcome driven scientist who wants to produce real outcomes to translate peptides into commercial development. The position is advertised at Level A, but we are able to consider Level B candidates if they have experience from the pharmaceutical industry (or equivalent) and are particularly experienced in computational analysis of peptide biopharmaceutical properties.

ARC CIPPS focuses on peptide-based molecules and experience in the characterisation and analysis of peptides is important. The appointee will work on a Centre wide project and will have opportunities to interact with scientists from multiple nodes of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Peptide and Protein Science.

Key responsibilities include:  

1. Research

• Produces 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.

2. Supervision and Researcher Development

• Contribute to the effective supervision of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students (as appropriate). For Level B, demonstrate an effective track record of supervision of HDR students.

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

• Effectively lead and supervise by providing feedback, coaching, and professional development

• As appropriate, manage research support staff effectively in accordance with University policy and procedures

• Teaching is not required however it is strongly encouraged.

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 through to April 2026.

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.

At Academic level B, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $108,201.26 - $128,201.75, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $126,595.47 - $149,996.05 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, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in the discipline area.

• An emerging profile in research in the discipline area.

• Evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.

• Evidence of contributions towards successfully obtaining external research funding.

• Some experience in meaningful internal service roles and contributions towards external activities

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: Visa sponsorship is available for this appointment. 

• Mandatory Immunisations: It is a condition of employment for this role that you will be required to provide evidence of immunisation against certain vaccine preventable diseases.

• 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’ll support you with the visa sponsorship process and with the possibility of relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor David Craik *******@imb.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:

• Cover letter addressing Selection Criteria   

• Resume  

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, or people with a disability. 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 Friday 29 March 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (R-35393).