Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Systems Biologist

at  Springer Nature

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW – SYSTEMS BIOLOGIST

Employer
The University of Queensland
Location
Brisbane (Suburb), South East Queensland (AU)
Salary
AUD$92,938 - $102,945, plus a generous superannuation allowance of up to 17%.
Closing date
21 May 2024
Discipline
Applied Science
Job Type
Postdoctoral, Researcher
Employment - Hours
Full time
Duration
Fixed term
Qualification
PhD
Sector
Academia

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ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

Synthetic biology is characterised by a cyclic workflow based on the design, build, test, learn paradigm. The emergence of genome-foundries allows for the rapid, but still costly, generation of large numbers of engineered strains. The University of Queensland is establishing a complementary facility to genome-foundries, the Integrated Design Environment for Advanced biomanufacturing (IDEA bio, https://www.ideabio.org.au/). This facility will consist of a TEST capability that allows for a deep phenomic characterisation of mutant strains, in partnership with Queensland Metabolomics and Proteomics (Q MAP https://www.qmap.org.au/) and the Australian Genome Foundry (Macquarie University), as well as a LEARN capability that seeks to learn from large ‘omics data sets and direct strain optimisation, pathway optimisation and metabolic engineering to advance synthetic biology efforts in Australia.
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow who specialises in metabolic modelling and ‘omics data driven characterisation of cells. You will join a team of researchers to establish systems biology-based workflows to drive the data-driven bioprocess optimisation capability of this facility, including strain design. The position is primarily computationally based and will work with a bioinformatician/data scientist to use modelling and machine-learning approaches to learn from large data sets to inform further strain engineering or bioprocess optimisation rounds.
Whilst the role is academic in nature, as an employee of an NCRIS-funded facility (https://www.education.gov.au/ncris), the position has a strong service focus. You will be required to analyse, interpret and report fermentation data to clients by contractual deadlines, which may include researchers and industry, whilst developing novel workflows to allow for high-throughput data analysis.
Key responsibilities will include:

Research

• Develop data management pipelines and computational workflows to analyse and derive metabolic insights from small to large multi-omics datasets.
• Develop metabolic models and/or performing metabolic modelling to estimate intracellular flux distributions as required.
• Produce quality research outputs consistent with discipline norms by publishing or exhibiting in high quality outlets.
• Participate in applications for competitive research funding to support projects and activities.
• Work with colleagues in the development of joint research projects and applications for competitive research funding support.
• Contribute to progressing towards transfer of knowledge, technology and practices to research end users through translation, including commercialisation of UQ intellectual property.
• Develop a coherent research program and an emerging research profile.
• Review and draw upon best practice research methodologies.

Supervision and Researcher Development

• Contribute to the effective supervision of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students (as appropriate).
• Demonstrates personal effectiveness in supervision and the management of researcher development.
• Effective lead and develop supervisee performance and conduct by providing feedback, coaching, and professional development.
• As appropriate, manage research support staff effectively throughout the employee lifecycle in accordance with University policy and procedures.
• Working to promptly resolve conflict and grievances when they arise in accordance with University policy and procedures.

Citizenship and Service

• Perform in-depth phenotypic characterisation of bioreactor runs from data generated by the fermentation scientists and provides this as a report to clients.
• Demonstrate citizenship behaviours that align to the UQ values.
• Show leadership of self through collaboration and active participation in priority activities for the unit.
• Provide support to other academic positions and unit operations as needed during other team members absences.
• Contribute to internal service roles and administrative processes as required, including participation in decision-making and service on relevant committees.
• Collaborate in service activities external to the immediate organisation unit.
• Begin to develop external links and partnerships by cultivating relationships with industry, government departments, professional bodies and the wider community.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.
This role is subject to The University’s Code of Conduct.
This is a full-time, fixed-term position to March 2026 at Academic Level A.
The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range AUD$92,938 - $102,945, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to AUD$108,738 - $120,445 annually. As this role is covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases – at least once a year.
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, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

Please refer the Job description for details