: Based at the 2 x Full-time (100%), fixed-term positions for up to 2 years Base salary will be in the range $98,****** - $109,****** + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A) Based at our About This Opportunity The Australian Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) at UQ is driving the future of Australia's food and beverage sector through industry-research partnerships, advanced manufacturing, and training the next generation of agri-food innovators.
We are seeking two Postdoctoral Research Fellows to join the FaBA-Noumi industry project, hosted at UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability (AGFS).
In these roles, you will: Engineer microbial systems using cutting-edge synthetic biology tools and metabolic engineering strategies.
Optimise yeast platforms for the sustainable production of high-value food ingredients.
Collaborate with a world-class team at the interface of academic research and commercial translation.
At UQ, we offer more than just a role – you'll be part of a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and impact.
You'll have access to world-class facilities, industry connections, and professional development opportunities to accelerate your career and make a real-world difference.
Join us and contribute to shaping the future of industrial biotechnology in Australia.
Position 1: Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Engineering Secretion Pathways in Yeast This role focuses on enhancing protein secretion in and other industrial yeasts.
The work involves engineering signal peptides, chaperones, folding catalysts, and trafficking components; applying CRISPR/Cas9 and modular cloning tools; and validating engineered strains through molecular, biochemical, and omics analyses.
The position provides hands-on experience in synthetic biology, strain engineering, and industrial biotechnology.
Position 2: Postdoctoral Research Fellow - High-Throughput Secreted Protein Quantification and Systems Biology This role develops high-throughput assays—such as ELISA and LabChip—to quantify secreted proteins and integrates these data with multi-omics datasets to identify regulatory or metabolic bottlenecks.
It involves statistical analysis and systems modelling, and close collaboration with strain engineering and bioprocess teams to connect protein titres with cellular fitness and cultivation parameters.
The position offers strong exposure to advanced systems biology and industry-informed research with real-world impact.
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: Produce high-quality research outputs, support commercialisation, contribute to funding applications, prepare reports and manuscripts, and apply best-practice research methodologies.
Supervision and Researcher Development: Support and develop junior researchers and students, provide effective supervision, uphold UQ's leadership expectations, and manage team matters professionally.
Citizenship and Service: Demonstrate UQ values through collaborative service, contribute to unit operations and committees, and begin building external partnerships with industry, government, and professional bodies.
These are a research focused positions.
Further information can be found by viewing UQ's .
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