Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Computational Biophysical Chemistry

• Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)

• Join a university ranked in the world’s top 50

• Collaborate on research into membrane proteins in antimicrobial resistance 

• Access state-of-the-art facilities to further your research endeavours 

• Based at our picturesque and vibrant St Lucia Campus

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll 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.

About This Opportunity 

This is an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to focus their efforts on developing their expertise and emerging research profile in their discipline. This is a Level A fixed term research appointment in computational biophysical chemistry supported by an NHMRC Ideas grant. The focus of this position is understanding membrane proteins involved in antimicrobial resistance. The position will involve phospholipid and small molecule parameterisation, molecular dynamics simulations of membrane protein systems, lipid/drug interactions and simulation-guided refinement of cryo-EM structures. Previous experience in molecular dynamics simulations, Python programming, MDAnalysis libraries is required. At this level it is expected that you will contribute to service and engagement roles and activities.

Key responsibilities will include: 

1. Research

• Produces 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.

2. 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.

3. Citizenship and Service

• Demonstrate citizenship behaviours that align to the UQ values.

• Shows 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, 100% FTE fixed-term position for up to 2 years, through to 30 April 2026 at Academic Level A.

The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $77,324.85 to $102,945.12, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $90,470.07 to $120,445.79 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.

About You  

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in computational chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics or a related discipline.

• An emerging profile in research in the discipline area of biomolecular simulations or computation chemistry.

• Experience in molecular dynamics simulations, evidenced by publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.

• Proficiency with MDAnalysis, Python or equivalent.

• Evidence of contributions towards successfully obtaining external research funding.

• Strong interpersonal communication and troubleshooting skills.

• Ability to work as a member of a high-performing, diverse and interdisciplinary research team.

• Some experience in meaningful internal service roles and contributions towards external activities.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. 

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Prof Megan O'Mara – [email protected] For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply? 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Resume

• Cover letter

• Responses to the ‘About You’ section

Other Information 

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion .  We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity , LGBTQIA+ , cultural and/or linguistic , Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples , or people with a disability . Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to [email protected] .

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.

Applications close Sunday 24 March 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (R-35843). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for March.