Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Metabolism & Multi-omics Integration)

• IDEA Bio based at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 2 years
• Base salary will be in the range $85,373 - $113,660 + 17% super (Academic Level A)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

Contribute to a supportive and collaborative research culture and environment where multi-omics data is transformed into practical insights for advanced biomanufacturing. Working within the IDEA Bio LEARN team, as the Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Metabolism & Multi-omics Integration), you will lead the biological interpretation and integration of fermentation, proteomics, metabolomics and ¹³C-labelling data to understand microbial metabolism, identify metabolic bottlenecks and inform rational strain design and bioprocess optimisation. You will collaborate with systems biologists, software engineers, fermentation scientists and analytical chemists, combining rigorous research with a strong service focus and the opportunity to help develop analytical capability with real-world impact.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research: Integrate proteomics, metabolomics, fermentation and metabolic modelling data to interpret phenotypes, identify metabolic bottlenecks and regulatory changes, develop testable hypotheses, and translate findings into rational strain design and bioprocess optimisation strategies; Contribute to genome-scale metabolic model curation and ¹³C metabolic flux analysis, develop innovative analytical workflows, produce quality research outputs and contribute to competitive research funding opportunities.

• Supervision and Researcher Development: Contribute to the effective supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, as appropriate, through constructive feedback, coaching and collaborative research practice.

• Citizenship and Service: Deliver rigorous phenotypic and metabolic analyses and reports for research and industry clients, contribute to IDEA Bio's service activities and strengthen partnerships across research, government, industry and the wider community; Demonstrate leadership through mentoring, 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.

For further details and full position description, please click here to view the information booklet.

About You

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in biochemistry, metabolic engineering, systems biology or a related field, with a strong focus on microbial metabolism.
• Demonstrated experience integrating at least two omics data types, such as proteomics and metabolomics, to develop mechanistic explanations of metabolic phenotypes beyond enrichment-based analysis.
• An in-depth understanding of microbial metabolism, including central carbon metabolism, energy and redox balancing, and metabolic regulation, with the ability to reason about cause and effect within metabolic networks.
• Sound knowledge of statistical analysis of omics data, including differential abundance testing, multiple-testing correction, replication, batch effects and experimental design.
• Familiarity with constraint-based metabolic modelling, such as flux balance analysis, with the capability to interpret, critique and refine model predictions using experimental data.
• Demonstrated research capability evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, together with proficiency in Python or R for data analysis and visualisation.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team while independently developing solutions to complex analytical challenges.
• Experience in fermentation, metabolic engineering, metabolomics, multivariate analysis, stable-isotope labelling, ¹³C metabolic flux analysis, genome-scale model curation, or enzyme-constrained or kinetic models will be highly regarded.

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 Timothy McCubbin, Senior Data Scientist and Team Leader, at t.mccubbin@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, qualifications, mandatory immunisations. 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 3 December 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-69666). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for early December 2026.

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.