Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Stem Cell Population Genetics

• Institute for Molecular Bioscience
• Full-time fixed-term position for up to 2 years
• Base salary will be in the range $85,372.89 - $113,659.72 + 17% super (Academic Level A)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

Join a visionary, collaborative and rapidly growing research team led by Dr Drew Neavin at the intersection of population genetics, stem cell biology and single-cell genomics. The Context-dependent Genetics Lab is pioneering innovative “village-in-a-dish” stem cell culture systems that enable researchers to study how genetic regulation changes across cellular contexts, disease states and human genetic diversity. Supported by world-class infrastructure, a connected network of like-minded researchers, and a culture of collaboration and excellence, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to impactful science while shaping your own research career.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research: Design, lead and troubleshoot large-scale stem cell experiments, including population-scale iPSC culture, differentiation and single-cell profiling; contribute to project direction across disease systems; publish high-quality research outputs; analyse single-cell datasets in collaboration with computational researchers; develop robust and reproducible protocols; and contribute to research translation and commercialisation activities.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Mentor junior researchers and students in stem cell culture and experimental design; contribute to the supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students as appropriate.
• Citizenship and Service: Foster a safe, inclusive and collegial laboratory environment; contribute to shared infrastructure and laboratory practices; demonstrate behaviours aligned with UQ values; and develop partnerships with industry, government and the broader research community.

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

About You

• Completion, or near completion, of a PhD in Stem Cell Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Cell Biology, Computational Biology or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with human pluripotent stem cell culture and differentiation.
• Experience planning, executing and troubleshooting large-scale or technically complex biological experiments.
• Evidence of high-quality publications and conference presentations consistent with career stage.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary and highly collaborative research team.
• Experience mentoring, supervising or supporting the development of students or junior researchers.
• Excellent communication, organisation, collaboration and problem-solving skills.
• An emerging research profile in stem cells, genomics, genetics, or closely related fields.

Highly regarded

• Experience with single-cell technologies, including single-cell RNA sequencing or multiome approaches.
• Bioinformatic or computational experience in for example R or Python, or analysis of single-cell or genomic datasets or a willingness to develop these skills with support from the team.
• Experience with organoid or other complex differentiation systems.

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. 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.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Drew Neavin at d.neavin@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.

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.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia and qualification checks. 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.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ, and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing talent@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close Wednesday 4 November 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-69544). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for mid to late November.

Acknowledgment of Country:

The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ is situated. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country.

Why Choose UQ?

At the University of Queensland, we are proud to be one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions, consistently ranking among the top 50 universities worldwide.

As a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, UQ is widely recognised for its intensive focus on research and teaching excellence – evidenced by our numerous accolades including more teaching awards than any other Australian University and reflected in UQ being the number one recipient of ARC Fellowships and Awards nationally across all scheme years (totalling 452 awards worth $339 million).

Our state-of-the-art facilities, libraries, and cutting-edge research centres offer unparalleled opportunities for academic and professional growth. With five faculties, a number of globally recognised research institutes, and over 100 research centres, we attract an interdisciplinary community of more than 7000 staff, supporting more than 55,000 current students from over 137 countries.

Career Development and Support:

UQ is dedicated to supporting the career aspirations of our students and staff. Our comprehensive career services provide personalized guidance, skills development, and networking opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals. Whether you are a student seeking internships and job placements or a staff member looking for career advancement, UQ is here to support you every step of the way.

Diverse and Inclusive Community:

UQ values equity, diversity and inclusion and seeks to reflect the broader community by attracting and retaining high-quality staff from a range of backgrounds. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion aims to ensure that everyone at UQ feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. We are particularly interested to hear from people who bring diversity to UQ – whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability.

Join the UQ Community:

Whether you are a recent graduate, an Academic, or an experienced professional, UQ offers a wide range of opportunities to help you grow and succeed. Explore our current job openings, discover our programs, and become part of a community that is dedicated to creating lasting, meaningful impact for the communities in which we live and work.

For more information about working at UQ and our employee benefits (such as generous leave provisions, 17% superannuation, flexible working arrangements, and health and wellness discounts) please visit Why Work at UQ.