Postdoctoral Research Fellows – Environmental Analytical Chemistry Full-time

Postdoctoral Research Fellows

We are seeking two highly motivated and driven Postdoctoral Research Fellows, with expertise in the areas of environmental analytical chemistry and environmental mass spectrometry and/or environmental microbiology, to join the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) Environmental Toxicology Theme led by Professor Kevin Thomas. This team, working alongside industry partners, works to develop and apply advanced chemical analytics to measure human and environmental exposures at population scale, and translate those measurements into credible, policy-relevant evidence.

We are eager to fill two Academic Level A research focused positions as below:

Position 1: Full-time, fixed-term appointment through to 31 December 2027

This position will be directly involved in supporting the ARC Training Centre for Hyphenated Analytical Separation Technologies (HyTECH).

The appointed candidate will work to achieve the research goals of the ARC Training Centre for Hyphenated Analytical Separation Technologies (HyTECH), will be based within The University of Queensland node of the Centre, and play a key role in the Environmental Science and Monitoring Research Platform.

A major objective of this project is to develop innovative analytical workflows for the detection, identification, and quantification of target and suspect analytes in complex environmental matrices. The successful candidate will have the flexibility to design and implement the most appropriate size-based and chemical separation strategies for their research questions, integrating these with advanced hyphenated mass spectrometry platforms (e.g., LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, pyrolysis-GC-MS, and high-resolution mass spectrometry) as required.

You will establish robust sample preparation and separation methodologies, develop sensitive and rigorously quality-controlled analytical methods, and conduct targeted, suspect, and non-target analyses. This includes performing MS/MS experiments, interpreting high-resolution mass spectrometric data, and undertaking quantitative and semi-quantitative analyses in complex environmental samples.

In addition, you will contribute to experimental design and competitive funding applications and develop leadership capability through co-supervision of HDR students engaged in the Centre's research programs.

Position 2: Full-time, fixed-term appointment for 2 years

This position is supported by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project which aims to deliver a comprehensive characterisation of environmental chemicals that select for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), supporting more effective actions to address AMR in line with Australia's National AMR Strategy.

This ARC Discovery Project investigates the role of environmental chemicals in driving antimicrobial resistance. Environmental samples will be collected from known AMR hotspots where microbiomes and chemicals co-occur, including municipal, agricultural, industrial, and hospital waste streams across urban, regional, and remote Australia.

The project integrates a novel high-throughput screening method — SELection End points in Communities of bacTeria (SELECT) — with effect-directed analysis (EDA) and state-of-the-art high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to:

• Characterise AMR hotspots for selective chemicals
• Quantify the contribution of unknown chemicals to AMR selection
• Isolate AMR-driving compounds from environmental samples
• Identify previously unknown AMR-selective chemicals using advanced HRMS and data analysis

The successful candidate will conduct independent, high-quality research in environmental analytical chemistry, with a strong focus on advanced mass spectrometry, effect-directed analysis, and the identification of known and unknown AMR-driving chemicals in complex environmental matrices. You will also have the opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience by co-supervising HDR students engaged in the Centre's activities.

For both of these positions, we are specifically looking for researchers with strong mass spectrometry skills which will allow you to develop target and/or non-target analytical methods for organic contaminants in complex samples. You will hold extensive demonstrated experience with operating and troubleshooting hyphenated mass spectrometric techniques (e.g., LC-MSMS, (pyrolysis)-GC-MSMS, GC-HRMS and/or LC-HRMS instruments). Furthermore, your excellent laboratory skills will include experience with extraction and isolation techniques for a range of organic contaminants in biotic and abiotic matrices and demonstrated experience with different sampling techniques for organic pollutants. Finally, you will hold the ability to perform in-depth and critical data analyses and, where relevant, data modelling.

Ideal candidates will possess:

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, toxicology, environmental microbiology or a related area, with experience in the research context.
• Strong mass spectrometry skills to develop target and non-target analysis of organic contaminants in environmental samples. Extensive demonstrated experience with operating and troubleshooting LC-MSMS, GC-MSMS, GC-HRMS and/or LC-HRMS instruments.
• Excellent laboratory skills, including experience with extraction and purification techniques for a range of organic contaminants in biotic and abiotic matrices and demonstrated experience with different sampling techniques for organic pollutants.
• Ability to perform in-depth and critical data analyses and, where relevant, data modelling.
• An emerging profile in research in the discipline area.
• Evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.
• Evidence of contributions towards successfully obtaining external research funding.
• Some experience in meaningful internal service roles and contributions towards external activities.

We encourage all applications, both domestic and international. Subject to eligibility, we may support the successful applicants with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package (however upfront costs will still be expected to be covered). You can find out more about life in Australia's Sunshine State here.

Appointment to these roles is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks including mandatory immunisations and verification of your qualifications. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

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.

For more information about these opportunities, please contact Professor Kevin Thomas, QAEHS Centre Director, at qaehs.director@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

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 including responses to the 'About You' section above

Applications will be considered for both positions unless otherwise stated in your cover letter.

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.

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 Wednesday 1 April 2026, 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number: R-61578).