POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW
NUTRITION & HEALTH INNOVATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE
SCHOOL OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
JOONDALUP CAMPUS
$80,938 TO $108,498 (LEVEL A)/$113,918 TO $134,596 (LEVEL B)
FIXED TERM (2 YEARS), FULL-TIME

Overview
The Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute (NHIRI) at Edith Cowan University is seeking an exceptional Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our Future Foods & Digital Gastronomy (FFDG) Lab at the Joondalup campus. This two-year fellowship focuses on developing innovative nutrient-dense foods, including 3D printed products, to address malnutrition and improve the dining experience in populations with special nutritional and dietary needs, such as aged care residents with dysphagia, hospital inpatients with diverse health conditions and neurodiverse communities. Our multidisciplinary research hub, FFDG, explores novel food processing technologies to create nutritious, appealing foods that enhance human health and well-being. This position is supported by prestigious funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Western Australia Department of Health's Future Health Research and Innovation Fund (FHRI).

The Role
As Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will work with researchers at NHIRI to lead the food development component of multiple nutritional studies aimed at improving the nutritional status of diverse communities. You will leverage 3D food printing and other emerging food technologies to develop novel products that enhance overall food and nutrient intake, with particular emphasis on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Working closely with aged care and healthcare partners, you will co-design, produce, implement, and evaluate personalised food products tailored to specific nutritional and dietary needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate innovative food development research studies.
• Publish high-impact research in top-tier journals and present findings at conferences.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with research partners, particularly aged care providers and hospitals.
• Support community engagement activities promoting healthy and sustainable eating in Western Australia and beyond.
• Supervise and train research students.
• Contribute to grant writing and funding applications.

Qualifications and Experience
Essential:

• PhD in Food Science and Technology, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field (applications can be accepted from current PhD candidates, but the PhD must be submitted prior to commencement of the contract).
• Demonstrated experience in planning and conducting scientific research using relevant qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as a member of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills, with a capacity to work with multiple industry and external partners and funding bodies.

Highly Regarded:

• Experience in project and budget management.
• Laboratory skills in food texture analysis, rheological assessment, and sensory evaluation.
• Experience with 3D food printing technologies.
• Demonstrated passion for community engagement activities and research translation.
• Track record of successful grant applications.

You will also demonstrate personal attributes that are congruent with the University’s values of Integrity, Respect, Rational Inquiry Personal Excellence and Courage.

Benefits & Remuneration
This full time, fixed term (2 year) position attracts remuneration of $80,938 to $108,498 (Level A)/$113,918 to $134,596 (Level B) plus 17% University superannuation contribution.

ECU supports a work/life balance for staff. Benefits such as flexible working arrangements may also be negotiated to meet your personal circumstances.

ECU has an Award-winning Health and Wellness Program and an extensive range of staff benefits across entertainment, financial, health, travel and consumer goods and services.

For information on the benefits of working at ECU, please visit our website Employment Opportunities Overview.

Contact
Interested applicants are welcome to email Dr Liezhou Zhong ([email protected]) for more information.

How to Apply
Please upload your resume along with a statement addressing the Capabilities in the Selection Criteria.

Closing Date:
Applications close on 1, May, 2025 at 11:30pm AWST.

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FROM CANDIDATES WHO HAVE THE RELEVANT WORKING RIGHTS TO FILL THIS POSITION.

ECU is a diverse and inclusive workplace reflecting the differences in society. Specific strategies and initiatives are in place to address underrepresentation of specific groups. Applications are encouraged from suitably qualified people from all backgrounds. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

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