Postdoctoral Research Fellow

• IMB / Vetter Group

• Academic level A

• 12 month Fixed-term position

• Closing date Friday 25th November 2022 at 11:00PM AEST (R-18597)

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. At this level it is expected that the incumbent will contribute to service and engagement roles and activities.

The Research Officer will be involved in broad discovery and pharmacological characterisation efforts defining the activity of biologically active peptides. The position will contribute to the Robinson teams’ research through the evolutionary analysis, synthesis, biochemical analysis and characterisation of bioactive peptides.

 Key responsibilities include:  

1. Research

• Develop and implement experiments to:

  •  Analyse the spatial and temporal localisation of peptide toxins in fixed tissues and cells

  • Image morphology of venom production and delivery systems

  • Perform phylogenetic analysis of peptide toxin families

  • Generate and analyse venom proteomes and venom gland transcriptomes

• Learn and implement:

  • High-throughput FLIPR-based fluorescent calcium and membrane potential assays to characterize pharmacological activity of toxins, venom-derived peptides and small molecules across selected ion channels and receptors

  • Electrophysiological protocols using whole-cell manual patch clamp approaches and the high-throughput electrophysiology platform QPatch 16 to characterize the mode of action and selectivity of selected compounds.

• Analyse, interpret and distribute data in a timely manner.

• 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 role is subject to the University’s Code of Conduct .

About You

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in the discipline area.

• An emerging profile in research in the discipline area.

• Evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.

• Evidence of contributions towards successfully obtaining external research funding.

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

What We Can Offer 

 This is a Full-time, Fixed-term position through to 31 December 2023 at Academic Level A. 

The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $72,144.35 to $96,530.67 plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range  $84,408.89 to $112,940.88 per annum.  

For further information about UQ’s benefits, please visit Why Work at UQ and review The University of Queensland’s Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2018 – 2021 .  

Questions?  

To discuss this role please contact Sam Robinson, [email protected] .

For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject line.  
 

Want to Apply?  

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

• Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section   

• Resume  

Please note that you will be asked to add all documents into the one upload box labelled ‘resume’, which is step one of the application form.  

About the Selection Process  

As part of the Selection Process, applicants shortlisted for interview will be required to present a seminar and mock lecture to members of the school community prior to their scheduled interview. Research seminars and lecture topics will be provided with adequate notice to shortlisted candidates.  

The University of Queensland is committed to ensuring all candidates are provided with the opportunity to attend the panel interviews, however, for those candidates who are unable to attend in person, video interview options will be available.     

Other Information  

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.   

Background Checks:  All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.   
 

We value diversity and inclusion, and actively encourage applications from those who bring diversity to the University. Our Diversity and Inclusion webpage  contains further information if you require additional support. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to [email protected] .
 

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 our 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 of the University, or hold an unpaid or affiliate appointment with the University, 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.