Postdoctoral Research Fellow

UQ Faculty of Medicine-
- Academic level B- Fixed-term position to 31st October 2024- Closing date 9th January 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (R-07373)

About This Opportunity

An opportunity has arisen for a Research Fellow to engage in research to further their expertise and growing research profile to achieve national and international recognition in their discipline. At this level it is expected that in incumbent will efficiently manage service and engagement roles and activities.

A Postdoctoral Research Fellow will focus efforts on conducting research to improve digestive health by exploring the pathophysiology and effects of interventions targeting the gut microbiome. The Fellow will work in a multiprofessional team of gastroenterologists, basic scientists (microbiologists), and allied health staff utilising state-of-the-art technologies and solid knowledge of relevant computational methods. The translational research complements other clinical and basic science projects.

As research focused academic at level A the incumbent will be supported and guided by more senior academic research staff with the expectation of an increasing degree of autonomy over time.

Key responsibilities include:
Research- Conduct high quality research to analyse the responses of individual and defined mixtures of microbes to environmental and nutritional cues, to assess their impacts on host response- Use “omics-based” approaches to further our understanding of microbial physiology, metabolism and/or ecology- Use mammalian cell culture methods to support assessment of their response to microbial-derived cues- Provide support to ongoing and new research projects in basic science and clinical studies- Develop a research program aligned with existing research programs at the Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the Princess Alexandra Hospital to achieve national recognition and impact in the research area.- Produces and contribute to quality research outputs consistent with discipline norms by publishing or exhibiting in national research journals, other appropriate refereed publications and conference publications, with a lead role in some outputs.- Contribute to progressing towards transfer of knowledge, technology, and practices to research end users through translation, including commercialisation of UQ intellectual property.- Review and draw upon best practice research methodologies.

Teaching- Where undergraduate and postgraduate teaching is undertaken achieve teaching quality as indicated by approved surveys and outcomes for students and improve or innovate where appropriate in response to feedback.

Supervision and Researcher Development- Demonstrate a track record of the effective supervision of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students.- Demonstrates personal effectiveness in supervision and management and development of researcher capability and skill.- Facilitate engagement opportunities for Higher Degree by Research supervisees- Effective lead and develop supervisee performance and conduct by providing feedback, coaching, and professional development.- Manage 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.

Service- Demonstrate behaviours that align to the UQ values.- Shows leadership of self and others through mentoring, 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.- Effectively and efficiently manage 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.- Actively pursue and develop external links and partnerships by cultivating relationships with industry, government departments, professional bodies, and the wider community.

Code of Conduct


About You- PhD in biological science, or a related field- Demonstrated expertise in molecular microbiology methods, including the development, preparation, and utilization of techniques for the isolation of fastidious microbes, from clinical and/or animal specimens.- Experience in utilising a number of core technologies and “omics-based approaches” including quantitative PCR, tissue and specimen processing for the isolation of DNA, RNA, or proteins, recombinant DNA techniques,- Expertise in data analysis and basic biostatistics, including various work packages in support of microbiome data analysis and interpretation- A growing profile in research in the discipline area.- A developing reputation and track record of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.- Evidence of successfully seeking, obtaining and managing external research funding.- A growi