Postdoctoral Research Fellows, Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology of Pseudomonas Full-time

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Positions

We are seeking two postdoctoral research fellows to join a multidisciplinary team at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), focusing on metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, bioprocessing, and sustainable biotechnology.

There are two positions available:

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pseudomonas Metabolic Engineering and Fermentation Process Development: Work on a collaborative project at the interface of microbial strain and bioprocess development, contribute to research on the metabolic engineering of Pseudomonas putida for the conversion of acetate into valuable products.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Synthetic Biology and Strain Engineering (Pseudomonas): Contribute to research that leverages Pseudomonas putida as a robust industrial chassis for sustainable bioproduction and bioremediation.

This is a great opportunity to grow your career by contributing to exciting, innovative research, collaborating in established teams with highly regarded researchers, academics, and industry stakeholders.

Key responsibilities for each position will include:

• Research: Contribute to an established 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.

• Supervision and Researcher Development: Contribute to supervision of Higher Degree by Research and Honours students, supervise employees, provide performance feedback and training, resolve conflicts, and ensure correct remuneration and benefits.

• Citizenship and Service: Support the development 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 research focused positions. Further information can be found by viewing UQ's Criteria for Academic Performance.

For further information or to request a full position description for each position, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

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.

For both postdoctoral research fellow roles, you will have:

• Completion of a PhD in metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, microbial biotechnology, biochemical engineering, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated expertise in bacterial genetic engineering (ideally Pseudomonas spp.), including pathway construction, genome editing, and regulatory tuning.

• Proven experience with microbial cultivation and bioprocess development (shake flask to bioreactor) and quantitative interpretation of growth and production data.

• Experience with one or more of: adaptive laboratory evolution, high-throughput screening, sampling and analysing 'omics datasets.

• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills, including a publication record commensurate with opportunity.

• Strong organisational skills, attention to experimental detail, and a commitment to safe laboratory practice.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team as well as demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable for both postdoctoral research fellow roles:

• Experience with redox/energy metabolism engineering, co-feeding strategies, or handling gaseous substrates in microbial cultivation.

• Experience producing or analysing fatty acids/fatty-acid derivatives and relevant analytics (e.g., GC, LC, MS).

Desirable for Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Synthetic Biology and Strain Engineering (Pseudomonas):

• Experience working with complex industrial feedstocks (e.g., molasses, hydrolysates) and managing variability and inhibitors.

• Experience with immobilised-cell systems for challenging process streams.

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, qualifications, criminal history checks, and other role-specific requirements such as mandatory immunisations. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you 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.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Birgitta Ebert at birgitta.ebert@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, noting your preferred position

• 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.

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 4 March 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-60061). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for March.