Job Description

• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI)

• Join a university ranked in the world’s top 50

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary academics and industry partners

• Work on exciting Microbiology research in state-of-the-art facilities

• Based at Dutton Park Ecosciences Precinct

About UQ

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.

As part of our commitment to research excellence, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and post-fellowship contracts via our UQ Amplify initiative.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. Not only do we have one of the largest PhD enrolments in Australia, but we have also made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

About This Opportunity 

This is an exciting opportunity for you to work with multidisciplinary academic and industry partners and apply your skills in Microbiology, Synthetic biology and/or Bacterial Genomics. We are seeking an outcome-driven scientist to progress multiple research projects and teach and mentor students in areas relevant to the Training Centre. Based at The University of Queensland as a Microbiology focused postdoctoral fellow, you will play an integral role in engaging with industry and external partners to foster the Centre’s collaborative partnerships. 

You will have a unique opportunity to work directly with the Centre’s partners, with a portion of their time dedicated to working with several industry partners. Other benefits of the Centre include:

• Access to specialised training and development opportunities with support and mentorship from academic and industry experts.

• Funding for national and international conferences, meetings, and symposia.

• Opportunity to have direct input into the management and operations of national collaborative research program.

The Microbiology theme will explore the potential of novel therapeutics and disinfectants acquired from various sources, including molecules produced naturally and/or synthetically by probiotic bacteria to target difficult to treat infections and disinfection in the agricultural and veterinary industries.

Key responsibilities will include: 

Research

• Engage in and lead industry focused research projects across multifaceted programs with at least two industry partners, while maintaining a strong academic profile.

• Produce high quality research outputs including original research articles, white papers, community engagement media pieces and conferences presentations.

Supervision and Researcher Development

• Contribute to the effective supervision of Higher Degree by Research students.

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

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

Citizenship and Service

• Demonstrate citizenship behaviours that align with UQ values.

• Shows leadership of self through collaboration and active participation in priority activities for the Centre.

• Provide support to other academic positions and operational units operations as needed.

• Contribute to internal service roles and administrative processes as needed.

• Collaborate in service activities external to the immediate organisation unit.

• Develop links and partnerships by cultivating relationships with external bodies.

This role is subject to The University’s JOB IS FROM: postdocjobs.oneVIEWCode of Conduct.  

This is a research focused academic 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 30 October 2025 at Academic Level A.

The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $86,346.14 - $99,426.59, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $101,024.98 - $116,329.11 annually. As this role is covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases – at least once a year.

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, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

About the Centre

The ARC Training Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance (CEA StAR) is a collaborative 5-year, $12.9m research and training program led by The University of Queensland with University of Adelaide and industry partners Calix, Cluster Biotechnology, Edenvale Beverages, Invion, MGI Tech Australia, and Neoculi. We are working together to develop innovative solutions to mitigate the adverse impacts of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

AMR is a critical problem with significant health, environmental and socio-economic impacts. Acknowledging the interconnections between humans, plants, animals, and our shared environments, CEA-StAR is adopting a ‘One Health’ approach and focusing its research on the latter two areas. Our vision is to establish Australia as a leader in developing long-term, sustainable solutions to the challenges of antimicrobial resistance by delivering on four aims:

• Strengthening the capability and capacity of the research sector by training the next generation of antimicrobial resistance researchers.

• Advancing industry-driven projects that develop solutions to mitigate antimicrobial resistance.

• Enhancing linkages and partnerships between universities and industry.

• Providing scientific and public education on AMR.

About You  

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in microbiology, molecular microbiology, bacterial genomics, synthetic biology or a related field.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct meaningful research in the discipline areas:

  • infectious disease microbiology

  • biophysical compound/protein characterisation

  • genomics and bioinformatics

  • synthetic biology

• Experience in the research areas below is desirable:

  • veterinary or agricultural microbiology

  • drug discovery and development

  • bacterial resistome and resistance mechanisms (whole genome assembly and annotation)

  • generational passage induction studies and/or TraDIS

  • complementation in various Gram-negative bacteria

• Demonstrated high level interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to develop effective collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to work independently with excellent problem solving and organisational skills.

• Ability to work as a member of a face paced team.

• Track record of publication of research findings in peer reviewed journals and conferences.

• 1-2 years postdoctoral experience would be highly advantageous with proven track record of original research writing and grant application preparation, but not mandatory.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. 

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Conny Turni - c.turni1@uq.edu.au

For application queries, please contact recruitment@uq.edu.au stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 
 

Want to Apply? 

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

• Resume

• Cover letter

• Responses to the ‘About You’ section

Other Information 

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 recruitment@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 Tuesday, 14 November 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (R-31749). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for November.