• Food and Beverage Accelerator Program: Based in the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)
• 2 x Full-time (100%), fixed-term positions for up to 1.5 to 2 years
• Base salary will be in the range $98,627.46 - $109,246.18 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

The Australian Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), led by The University of Queensland, is a national initiative that accelerates growth in Australia's food and beverage sector through industry-research partnerships, advanced manufacturing, and training the next generation of agri-food innovators.

We are pleased to announce a FaBA-Noumi industry project based at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at UQ. AIBN is now seeking two Postdoctoral Research Fellows to join this industry-partnered project in synthetic biology and precision fermentation.

In these roles, you will contribute to the development of engineered microbial systems using advanced synthetic biology tools and metabolic engineering strategies. Working with cutting-edge yeast platforms, you will design and optimise microbial cell factories for the sustainable production of high-value food ingredients.

Position 1: Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Strain Engineering & Synthetic Biology

You will focus on engineering microbial strains (primarily yeasts such as Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris)) using advanced synthetic biology tools. Your role will involve designing, constructing, and optimising metabolic pathways for improved productivity and robustness, contributing to the development of next-generation microbial cell factories.

Position 2: Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Bioprocess Development & Fermentation

You will focus on bioprocess development and fermentation optimisation to advance engineered microbial strains toward commercial readiness. Your work will involve scaling microbial processes from laboratory to pilot scale, optimising fermentation conditions, and integrating systems biology insights into robust, scalable production strategies.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a world-leading team at the forefront of industrial biotechnology, working at the interface of academic research and commercial translation.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research: Contribute to a research program, collaborate on research projects, seek and manage research funding, publish in reputable journals, utilize best practice research methodologies, and participate in project discussions, assist and support with daily activities and operations.

• Apply genome editing (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9) and modular cloning techniques to engineer yeast strains.
• Implement metabolic engineering strategies to optimise pathway flux and reduce by-products.
• Collaborate with automation and systems biology specialists for high-throughput strain optimisation.
• Validate engineered strains through molecular, biochemical, and omics analyses.
• Mentor students and contribute to high-impact publications.
• Deliver experiment results or report to our industrial partner regularly.

• Core Scientific - position 1:

• Have a basic understanding of yeast strain engineering
• Conduct fermentation experiments at different scales (plate to flask to lab bioreactors).
• Optimise cultivation parameters (media composition, induction, process controls).
• Collaborate with strain engineering and omics teams to link genotype-phenotype-process outcomes.
• Apply design of experiments (DoE) and statistical modelling for process optimisation.
• Generate data to support regulatory and translational pathways.
• Deliver experiment results or report to our industrial partner regularly.

• Core Scientific - position 2:

• Safety: Ensure a high standard of occupational health and safety standards and systems, including inductions, supervision, equipment training registers, administration of research Facilities, Inventories, reporting and investigating injuries, incidents and hazards; Assist with developing a proactive safety culture and implement continuous improvement.

• Supervision and Researcher Development: Supervise higher degree by research students, support and manage employees (including junior research engineers, scientists and technicians), provide performance feedback and training, resolve conflicts, and ensure correct remuneration and benefits.

• Citizenship and Service: Develop partnerships, demonstrate leadership through mentoring, engage in internal service roles and committees, perform administrative functions, provide support to colleagues, and uphold university values.

These are a research focused positions. Further information can be found by viewing UQ's Criteria for Academic Performance.

About the Food and Beverage Accelerator

Australia's Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) is a $160 million initiative to boost growth and innovation in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. Part of the Federal Government's Trailblazer Program, FaBA leverages $50m of government investment with more than $110m from universities and industry. Partners work across four areas: the research programs 'Innovative Ingredients' and 'Premium Food and Beverage Products', and the enabling programs 'Innovation Pathways' and the 'FaBA Training Centre'.

A national initiative, FaBA provides F&B manufacturers access to research teams, next generation industry professionals, state-of-the-art equipment and pilot facilities. FaBA is proudly hosted by The University of Queensland, in collaboration with participants QUT, UniSQ and UniQuest.

About UQ

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.

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, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

About You

For position 1 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Strain Engineering & Synthetic Biology:

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in microbial strain engineering.
• Experience with cloning, genome editing, and pathway optimisation.
• Familiarity with design-build-test-learn (DBTL) workflows.
• Strong collaborative and problem-solving skills.

For position 2 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Bioprocess Development & Fermentation:

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, or related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with bioreactor fermentation
• Experience in the use of electronic lab books
• Strong understanding of bioprocess scale-up and process control.
• Familiarity with analytical tools for monitoring cell growth and product formation.
• Experience working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable for both:

• Evidence of publications in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at conferences.
• Knowledge in bioprocess development and fermentation strategies.
• Evidence of contributions towards successfully obtaining external research funding

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check etc.

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia's Sunshine State here.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Huadong Peng, [email protected]; or Dr Yosephine Gumulya, [email protected].

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected], stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you nominate which position you are applying for and upload:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Responses to the 'About You' section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact [email protected].

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don't meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close 2 December at 11.00pm AEST (R-57543). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for early December.