Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Protein Engineering for Biocatalysis

• School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
• Full-time, fixed-term position until September 2028
• Base salary will be in the range $85k - $133k + 17% Super (Academic Level A)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

Join a globally connected research community at the University of Queensland and help shape the future of synthetic biology and pharmaceutical chemistry. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will advance your research profile in protein engineering for biocatalysis, working at the frontier of engineering enzymes to enable new-to-Nature chemistry. The aim of this project is to make drug development cleaner, greener and more sustainable by developing biological catalysts of fluorination chemistry based on catalytically versatile and robust enzymes created by ancestral sequence reconstruction.

At UQ, you'll collaborate with leading researchers in a supportive, high-impact environment that values curiosity, innovation and real-world outcomes. In addition to progressing cutting-edge research, you will contribute to the stewardship of laboratory systems and ensure compliance with WHS, OGTR and regulatory frameworks, while engaging with the broader research community.

If you are motivated to push the boundaries of enzyme engineering and build an emerging international research profile, this role offers the platform, resources and collaborative culture to help you thrive.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Deliver high-quality research by publishing in leading outlets, contributing to competitive funding applications, and developing an emerging research profile in the discipline.
• Collaborate on impactful projects that translate research into practice, including knowledge transfer, industry engagement, and potential commercialisation of UQ intellectual property.
• Support researcher development through supervision of undergraduate, Honours and HDR students, providing guidance, feedback, and effective management of research support staff where appropriate.
• Contribute to academic citizenship through collaboration, service to the unit and University, and building partnerships with industry, government, and the wider community.

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

Essential

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in protein engineering, biocatalysis, synthetic biology, structural biology or biological, bioinorganic or medicinal chemistry.
• Evidence of excellent undergraduate achievement in biological or inorganic chemistry.
• An emerging profile in research, including evidence of publications in reputable, mainstream refereed journals and presenting at international and national conferences.
• Experience contributing to the supervision of junior research students on laboratory-based projects.
• Experience in meaningful internal service roles including laboratory management and compliance.
• Essential: experience in engineering, purifying and characterizing enzymes for biocatalysis or pharmaceutical chemistry.

Desirable

• Experience in the characterisation of cytochrome P450 enzymes, unspecific peroxygenases or other haemoproteins using spectroscopic and other biophysical approaches.

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.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Elizabeth Gillam ********@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at ******@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

When applying, please upload a resume and a cover letter addressing the 'About You' section, including your relevant formal training in chemistry and/or biochemistry

Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia and qualifications. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

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 ******@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close Monday 14 September 2026 at 11:00pm AEST (R-58926).