Postdoctoral Research Fellow - mRNA Cancer Immunotherapy

Location: St Lucia Campus

• Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)

• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position through to October 2027

• Base salary will be in the range $85,373 to $113,660 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A)

• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional Postdoctoral Research Fellow to lead research at the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)-Funded Australian Personalised mRNA Immunotherapy Hub. You will join a passionate and collaborative team of scientists at one of Australia's leading mRNA hubs and work closely with the adjacent BASE facility. You will lead original research in the field of cancer vaccines, coordinating collaborative projects and managing development of the infrastructure, to help translate visionary research into therapies with the potential to create meaningful change.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research:
  • Develop an ambitious mRNA research program to develop new mRNA cancer therapies.
  • Perform industry-sponsored cancer immunotherapy research.
  • Produce quality research outputs consistent with discipline norms by publishing or exhibiting in high quality outlets.
  • Lead applications for competitive research funding to support projects and activities.
  • Work with a passionate team of mRNA scientists on 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.
  • Partner with industry leaders on novel technology development.

• Supervision and Researcher Development: Contribute to the supervision of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, supervise and manage researcher development, provide performance feedback and training, resolve conflicts, and ensure correct remuneration and benefits.

• Citizenship and Service: Develop partnerships, demonstrate leadership through mentoring, engage in internal service roles and committees, perform administrative functions, provide support to colleagues, and uphold university values.

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

About You

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in mRNA sciences, molecular biology, immunology or related discipline.
• An emerging profile in research in molecular biology/cancer research/immunology.
• 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
• Competitive for national fellowship schemes (e.g NHMRC and ARC) by the end of three year period.

About UQ

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.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Seth Cheetham at s.cheetham@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number below in the subject line.

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume, cover letter, and responses to the ‘About You’ section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, criminal history checks and mandatory immunisations. 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 criterion 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 talent@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close 13th September 2026 at 11.00pm AEST . Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for September.