Senior Research Fellow / Principal Research Fellow (Food Design and Formulation Lead) Full-time

Senior Research Fellow (Level C) or Principal Research Fellow (Level D)

This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary and collaborative Senior Research Fellow (Level C) or Principal Research Fellow (Level D) to lead and expand an innovative research program in Food Design and Formulation. Working within a highly interdisciplinary environment at QAAFI, you will drive research spanning food and ingredient chemistry, food processing, structure-function relationships, and the translation of novel food technologies from laboratory discovery through to pilot-scale and commercial implementation. You will also play a pivotal role in integrating AI-enabled analytics and predictive modelling into food innovation, contributing to meaningful industry outcomes while helping create change together across agriculture and food systems.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research: Lead high-impact research in food design and formulation, food processing, ingredient functionality, and structure-function relationships, producing high-quality publications and presentations in leading national and international forums; develop innovative food processing technologies and scalable solutions that support translation from laboratory research through to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing environments, while strengthening industry partnerships and commercialisation pathways
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Supervise Higher Degree by Research students and mentor emerging researchers, fostering a supportive, inclusive and high-performing research culture.
• Citizenship and Service: Build strategic partnerships across academia, industry and government, contribute to governance and service activities, and champion a collaborative culture aligned with UQ values.

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

For further detailed information, please view the appointment booklet.

Applicants should address the criteria relevant to the level at which they wish to be considered. Appointment will be made at Academic Level C or Academic Level D based on demonstrated achievement, leadership, and impact.

Level C (Senior Research Fellow)

To be successful at Level C, you will demonstrate:

• Completion of a PhD in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, or a closely related discipline
• An established research profile with national recognition and a strong record of publications in high-quality refereed journals and conference outputs
• Demonstrated expertise in food design and formulation, ingredient chemistry, food functionality, and structure-function relationships
• Experience developing and optimising complex food systems and translating research outcomes into practical applications
• Evidence of capability in scaling technologies and formulations from laboratory through pilot-scale environments, including collaboration with industry partners.
• Experience applying AI, machine learning, or advanced analytics to integrate chemical, sensory, process and experimental data to support innovation and process optimisation
• A strong record of securing competitive research funding from national, industry, or commercial sources
• Demonstrated success in HDR supervision, researcher mentoring, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams

Level D (Principal Research Fellow)

To be successful at Level D, you will demonstrate:

• Completion of a PhD in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, or a closely related discipline
• An internationally recognised research profile with a sustained record of outstanding achievement and leadership in food design and formulation, food processing, or closely related fields
• An outstanding publication record in leading international journals and evidence of shaping significant research agendas within the discipline
• Deep expertise in food and ingredient chemistry, processing technologies, functionality, and structure-function relationships, with evidence of delivering impactful innovation
• Extensive experience leading scale-up activities from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacture, with demonstrated impact through industry adoption, translation, or commercialisation of research outcomes
• Proven leadership in the application of AI-enabled data integration, machine learning, and predictive modelling to accelerate food innovation and optimise processing performance
• An excellent record of attracting and leading major competitive funding initiatives from government, industry, and commercial partners
• An extensive record of HDR supervision to completion, together with demonstrated capability to build, lead, and mentor high-performing research teams
• Evidence of strategic partnership development, leadership of large collaborative programs, and influence across academic, industry, and government sectors.

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

Researchers within QAAFI and CNAFS are helping address some of the food sector's most significant challenges through advances in food processing, formulation, functionality and sustainable food innovation. Supported by world-class facilities and industry-connected initiatives such as the Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), this role offers a unique opportunity to translate cutting-edge research into products, technologies and solutions that create real-world impact across Australia's food and beverage industry.

At UQ, you will be challenged, inspired and rewarded while working within a diverse, inclusive and connected community of researchers committed to discovery, translation and impact. With world-class research infrastructure, strong industry partnerships, and a shared ambition to create meaningful change, this is an outstanding opportunity to shape the future of food innovation.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa – y.sultanbawa@uq.edu.au

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number in the subject line.

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume, cover letter, and responses to the 'About You' section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

Applications close 17 August 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-66591). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for late August/early September 2026.