* Australia's Food and Beverage Accelerator's (FaBA) Program: Based in the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI)
* Full-time fixed-term position through to end of 2026
* Base salary will be in the range $83, $111, % Superannuation (Academic Level A)
* Based at our Long Pocket Campus
About This Opportunity
We are looking for a research-focused Postdoctoral Research Fellow to deliver world-leading research in Food and Beverage Flavour Chemistry, advancing the development of premium foods and beverages with strong consumer appeal and clear industry impact.
Based within QAAFI and the Trailblazer-funded Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), this role offers an outstanding opportunity to build an emerging research profile through high-impact strategic and applied research, industry collaboration, and leadership across funded projects. You will also contribute to teaching and supervision in food research programs at UQ, while engaging in service activities that support a vibrant, globally recognised research community.
Key responsibilities will include:
* Research: Delivers high-quality research outputs through publication in leading outlets, contributes to competitive research funding applications, and collaborates with colleagues and FaBA industry partners on strategic and applied projects. Develops a coherent research program and emerging research profile, applies best-practice methodologies, and supports translation and commercialisation of UQ intellectual property to research end users.
* Supervision and Researcher Development: Contributes to the supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, providing effective feedback, coaching, and professional development. Supports the management and development of research staff, addressing performance, conduct, and workplace issues in line with University policies and procedures.
* Citizenship and Service: Demonstrates behaviours aligned with UQ values, showing leadership through collaboration and active participation in unit priorities. Contributes to internal service and administrative activities, supports colleagues and unit operations, and begins to build external partnerships with industry, government, and professional bodies.
This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ's Criteria for Academic Performance.
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&B manufacturers access to research teams, next generation industry professionals, state-of-the-art equipment and pilot facilities. FaBA is proudly hosted by The University of Queensland, in collaboration with participants QUT, UniSQ and UniQuest.
Join the UQ FaBA community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:
The greater benefits of joining the UQ FaBA 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 of a PhD in the discipline area of food chemistry, food compositional analysis, food quality and/or sensory evaluation.
* An emerging profile in research in the discipline area.
* Direct experience with flavour chemistry, sensory evaluation, methods development (LCMS, GCMS), and multivariate analysis related to beef and meat products is highly desirable.
* Evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.
* Evidence of contributions towards successfully obtaining external research funding and working with industry or government partners.
* 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 Professor Heather Eunice Smyth at
For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at, 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
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 Wednesday March at 11.00pm AEST (R