• Reference number: 25123
• Term: Fixed-term, full-time basis for 2 years
• Remuneration: $94,453 to $128,163 pa (LEVA) (inclusive of $79,813 to $108,300 salary pa, 17% superannuation and 17.5% recreation leave loading).
• Location: Princess Alexandra Hospital
• Open to: In support of our strategic priority of Indigenous Australian success, Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Gut Microbiome Specialist and Microbial Ecologist to join School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health.

The successful applicant will be creating a thorough mechanistic understanding on the microbiological, biochemical and genetic processes that cause methanogenesis in the cow rumen. These activities will identify core beneficial microbiota that are critical to cow performance and methane production across different breeds of animals, diets and management practices, which is essential to accelerate development of microbiome-based interventions that benefit animal production and reduce its carbon footprint. Focal research areas will include generating and analysing complex microbiome “omic” datasets to create an inventory of microbial genomes and lists of expressed metabolic features that are signature for the keystone microorganisms that drive rumen function. It is expected that this will formulate a dedicated “wish-list” of microbial targets that will guide cultivation work that uses CMR’s world leading high-throughput cultivation platform. To further characterise core microbiota, they will design and implement synthetic consortia to focus on core metabolic features that drive rumen digestion and methane formation.

About us

QUT is a major Australian university with a global outlook and a 'real world' focus. We are an ambitious and collaborative institution that seeks to equip our students and graduates with the skills they will need in an increasingly disrupted and challenged world.

The Centre for Microbiome Research was established in 2020 by Professor Gene Tyson, an expert in the field of microbial ecology. Professor Tyson and his team are actively involved in the development of innovative culture-independent molecular approaches and bioinformatic tools, and their application to answer important questions about microbial communities across a range of ecosystems. The team is made up of researchers with diverse expertise within microbial ecology and genomics, providing an intellectually robust and collaborative environment. The Centre is located within the Translational Research Institute (TRI) - a unique multidisciplinary facility located at the Princess Alexandra hospital with a strong focus on translational research. This positions the team amongst top researchers and clinicians from diverse disciplines such as genomics, bioinformatics, immunology, oncology and gastroenterology, and provides the team with access to state-of-the-art core facilities. The Centre also has a dedicated PC2-certified laboratory fully equipped for molecular biology that includes an in-house white light laser confocal microscope (Leica), a PromethION (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) and access to a NovaSeq 6000 (Illumina). The Centre has a BD FACSAria Fusion fluorescence activated cell sorter with small particle detection, a Cytek Aurora Spectral Flow Cytometry and liquid handling robots for single cell genomic and culturing work, and maintains custom built anaerobic culture and quarantine facilities. CMR houses its own high-performance computing resources consisting of >1,000 cores and 9 nodes. The operation of these facilities is supported by professional staff for microscopy, flow cytometry, sequencing and bioinformatics..

What you need to succeed

1. Education, training and/or relevant experience equivalent to the completion of a PhD in a relevant field (microbiology, bioinformatics).
2. Demonstrated experience and knowledge of isolation and maintenance of anaerobic microorganisms and anaerobic culture and/or the operation of anaerobic bioreactors.
3. Demonstrated experience and knowledge in molecular characterisation of complex gut microbiome samples using multi-layered omic data (e.g. metagenomics and metatransctripomics) and knowledge of bioinformatic processing and analysis of large meta/multi-omics datasets.
4. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, along with proven ability to autonomously organise and prioritise tasks and workflow to meet project deadlines.
5. High level communication skills, including demonstrated written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
6. Ability to problem solve, logically plan and coordinate research activities, and critically assess existing literature and methods.

Life at QUT

We're committed to building a culture that fosters connection between people and purpose. Beyond personal and professional fulfillment, a career at QUT offers:

• A healthy work-life balance with a blend of on-campus and off-campus work arrangements for applicable positions.
• Competitive remuneration with up to 17% superannuation and leave loading of 17.5%.
• Generous maternity leave including primary carer parental leave of up to 26 weeks (including 17% super).
• Stay healthy with Fitness Passport and enjoy discounted rates on private health insurance.
• Purchased Leave Scheme - up to 8 extra weeks.
• Salary Packaging Scheme for additional superannuation contributions, vehicle leasing, and on-campus services such as childcare, parking, and gyms.
• Numerous opportunities for professional development including leadership programs and workshops, and our study assistance scheme.
• Commitment to our Indigenous Australian staff through initiatives such as the Indigenous Australian Staff Network, Cultural and Ceremonial Leave, Staff Development Workshops, and representation on university committees.

Explore more benefits of life at QUT.

Belong at QUT

We are guided by our values of Ambition, Curiosity, Integrity, Inclusiveness, Innovation, and Academic Freedom and our QUT Connections in our mission to inspire and shape the next generation of change-makers.

As part of our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, we proudly support our Indigenous Australians Employment Strategy, aiming for an Indigenous Australian workforce participation of 3.6%. We extend a warm invitation to Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people to join us in pursuing a rewarding career at QUT.

We believe that diversity is our strength and are dedicated to creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage individuals from diverse cultures, ages, linguistic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities, and those who are living with disabilities to apply for positions at QUT.

At QUT, diversity is not just embraced—it's celebrated. See our commitment

How to Apply

Discover the possibilities that await with a career at QUT. If you're ready to embark on a journey of innovation and opportunity, we're excited to meet you.

Find out more about this position and submit your application by clicking 'Apply' or the link below.

View the job details at: https://qut.nga.net.au/?jati=4BC7C94C-7E35-230A-72BB-E3A981B87E9F

Job opens: 18-Mar-2025

Applications Close: 20-Apr-2025 at 11.30pm