* Centre for Crop Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
* Full-time, fixed-term position for up to three years
* Base salary will be in the range $80,448 - $107,104 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A)
* Based at our St Lucia location
About This Opportunity
This exciting opportunity for a three-year Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the UQ’s Centre for Crop Science as part of the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC initiative, focusing on developing tropical grasses with low methanogenic properties to help combat agricultures impact on our environment. This position contributes to a six-year project entitled "Low Emission Tropical Grass Solutions for Cattle Feed" led by researchers at UQ in collaboration with Barenbrug Australia .
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary research team focused on advancing sustainable livestock feed through applied plant biotechnology, tissue culture, and physiology. The role offers a mix of laboratory, glasshouse, and data-driven work in a dynamic research environment.
Key responsibilities will include:
o Research: Establish a research program, collaborate on research projects, seek and manage research funding, publish in reputable journals, utilise best practice research methodologies, and participate in project discussions. Actively participate with industry research partners to progress applied outcomes of fundamental research objectives.
o Supervision and Researcher Development: Supervise students and facilitate engagement opportunities for HDR students. Recruit and manage employees, provide performance feedback and training, resolve conflicts, and ensure correct remuneration and benefits to develop researcher capability and skill.
o Citizenship and Service: Develop partnerships, demonstrate leadership through mentoring, engage in internal service roles and committees, perform administrative functions, provide support to colleagues, and uphold university values.
This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance .
About UQ
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, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.
About You
This role will involve the use of biotechnological tools to improve feed quality of forage grasses, which will require a general knowledge of plant tissue culture, biotechnology, physiology and plant cell wall chemistry.
o Completion of a PhD degree level qualification in crop science; or completion of a Diploma with relevant work experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training
o Demonstrated practical research skills and experience in relevant research methodology or techniques such as experience in tissue culture, plant physiology, and molecular genetics
o Experience in feed quality, protein/starch assays, or plant cell wall chemistry is advantageous but not essential.
o Demonstrate a track record of the effective supervision of Honours, coursework Masters and Higher Degree by Research students.
o Well-organised, methodical, self-motivated, and able to work independently on routine procedures while also collaborate effectively within diverse teams.
o A developing reputation and track record of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.
o Contribute to progressing towards of knowledge, technology, and practices to research end users and industry partners, including commercialisation of UQ intellectual properties
The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check etc.
Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here .
Questions?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Karen Massel, Research Fellow at k.massel@uq.edu.au with the job ID in the subject line.
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.
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:
o Resume
o Cover letter
o 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. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.
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 Sunday 31 August 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-52404).
Full-time