Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Metabolism & Multi-omics Integration)

About the role

The University of Queensland offers a full-time (100%), fixed-term position of up to 2 years as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Metabolism & Multi-omics Integration) within the IDEA Bio LEARN team at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), based on the St Lucia campus. The fellow leads the biological interpretation and integration of fermentation, proteomics, metabolomics and 13C-labelling data to understand microbial metabolism, identify metabolic bottlenecks and inform strain design and bioprocess optimisation.

Key responsibilities

• Integrate proteomics, metabolomics, fermentation and metabolic modelling data to interpret phenotypes, identify bottlenecks and regulatory changes, develop testable hypotheses and propose strain design and bioprocess optimisation strategies.
• Contribute to genome-scale metabolic model curation and 13C metabolic flux analysis, develop analytical workflows, produce quality research outputs and contribute to competitive research funding.
• Support the supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students through feedback, coaching and collaborative research.
• Deliver 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 community.
• Mentor colleagues, perform administrative functions and uphold university values.

Required profile

• PhD completed or nearly completed 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 explain metabolic phenotypes beyond enrichment-based analysis.
• In-depth understanding of microbial metabolism, including central carbon metabolism, energy and redox balancing and metabolic regulation.
• Peer-reviewed publications and research capability.

Required skills

• 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, and ability to interpret and refine model predictions with experimental data.
• Proficiency in Python or R for data analysis and visualisation.
• Experience in fermentation, metabolic engineering, metabolomics, multivariate analysis, stable-isotope labelling, 13C metabolic flux analysis, genome-scale model curation or enzyme-constrained/kinetic models is highly regarded.

What we offer

• Base salary of $85,373 - $113,660 plus 17% superannuation (Academic Level A).
• Access to world-class facilities, grant-writing support and research funding opportunities.
• Up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading and flexible working arrangements.
• Career progression through the academic promotions process.

Applications close 3 December 2026; interviews are tentatively scheduled for early December 2026. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and answers to the 'About You' section through the university's online application system.