Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Medicinal Chemist Full-time

School Of Chemistry And Molecular Biosciences

Full-time, fixed-term position through until December 2028

Base salary will be in the range $83k – $111k + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A)

Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

Join a world-class research environment and advance your career in medicinal chemistry, drug discovery and development. This is an exciting opportunity to build your research profile within a collaborative, high-performing team tackling real-world health challenges.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research: Develop a coherent research program in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, publish in high-quality outlets, contribute to competitive funding applications, collaborate on research projects, and support translation and commercialisation of research outcomes.

• Supervision and Researcher Development: Contribute to the supervision of undergraduate, Honours, Masters and HDR students, support researcher development through coaching and feedback, and assist in managing research staff and resolving issues in line with University policies.

• Citizenship and Service: Contribute to internal service roles and committees, collaborate with colleagues and external partners, support unit activities, and demonstrate behaviours aligned with University values.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ's Criteria for Academic Performance.

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

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in organic/bio-organic chemistry with experience of medicinal chemistry hit-to-lead and/or lead optimisation.

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry techniques to synthesise, isolate and characterise small molecules and peptides.

• Skills in operating and maintaining analytical and purification equipment.

• Methodical approach to problem solving and a meticulous attitude to laboratory performance, record keeping, electronic data storage and organisation.

• Excellent communication and organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise own workload, exercise initiative and judgment as appropriate, and adapt to a flexible and dynamic environment with competing priorities to meet deadlines.

• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially in a multicultural, multidisciplinary team.

• An emerging profile in research in drug discovery.

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

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

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualifications. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Avril Robertson at a.robertson3@uq.edu.au.

For application enquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, 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 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, particularly from Australia's First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

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 Monday, 20 April 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-62733).