Senior Scientist/Research Engineer, FaBA — St Lucia, Brisbane

Food and Beverage Accelerator Program : Based in the School of Chemical Engineering Full-time, fixed-term position until 31/12/2026 Base salary will be in the range $91,658.60 - $98,330.37 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 6) Based at our St Lucia Campus About This Opportunity We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Scientist / Research Engineer to support translational research and product development in the food industry. In this role, you will apply your expertise in chemical engineering, organic chemistry, bio-chemistry and material characterisation to projects spanning all stages of the research lifecycle. You will bring advanced knowledge of material properties — such as rheology, tribology, interfacial and thermal properties, texture analysis — along with a strong understanding of ingredient chemistry, food systems , and chemical engineering processes . Your contributions will play a key role in driving innovation through our collaborative research with industry partners. Key responsibilities will include: Core Scientific Perform experiments and generate reports on food and beverage structure, material characterisation, and translative research works including product development. As required, carry out sample preparation and analysis on the instruments to satisfy and accomplish research outcomes, including rheology, tribology, light scattering, particle/surface characterisation, chemical and thermal analysis, and microscopies. Assist in the development of research and testing procedures and methodologies, including analysis of quality outcomes, focusing the application on food industry. Implement standards and controls to achieve consistently reliable outputs from research/testing prototypes established for food processing and characterisation. Perform standard maintenance on instruments and lab equipment to ensure optimal performance. Research Engineering Assist in the development or design of new research products and technology in food manufacturing and processing, as well as characterising their functionalities. Design testing procedures and coordinate to identify problems and solutions. Collaborate on standards for procedures and component requirements aligning lab-scale prototypes and industrial facilities. About the Food and Beverage Accelerator Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) is a $160 million initiative to boost growth and innovation in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. Part of the Federal Government’s Trailblazer Program, FaBA leverages $50m of government investment with more than $110m from universities and industry. Partners work across four areas: the research programs ‘Innovative Ingredients’ and ‘Premium Food and Beverage Products’, and the enabling programs ‘Innovation Pathways’ and the ‘FaBA Training Centre’. A national initiative, FaBA provides F&B manufacturers access to research teams, next generation industry professionals, state-of-the-art equipment and pilot facilities. FaBA is proudly hosted by The University of Queensland, in collaboration with participants QUT, UniSQ and UniQuest. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as: 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave 17% superannuation contributions 17.5% annual leave loading Access to flexible working arrangements including flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family UQ Study for Staff On campus childcare options Cheap parking (from just $6.15 a day) Salary packaging options About You Completion of a relevant degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Food Technology or similar or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training. Expertise in material characterisation, including rheology, scattering techniques, particle/surface analysis, interface science, thermal/chemical analysis, and microscopy. Advanced knowledge of fats/lipids, biochemistry, organic chemistry, biopolymers, hydrocolloids, and food science. Advanced technical capabilities in experimental design and testing across foods and ingredients. Experience/knowledge in food ingredient regulations (e.g., AOCS, JECFA) and/or the ability to quickly acquire and apply this knowledge. Experience in chemical engineering processing, food manufacturing, or pharmaceutical processes (e.g., extraction, separation), with the ability to learn quickly. Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise, and adapt independently or in a team. Communication skills with the ability to produce clear documentation and engage stakeholders in a research environment. The successful candidate may be required to complete background checks including, Work Rights? 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. Questions? For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Yuan Xu via [email protected] . For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at [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: Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section Resume Other Information UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who do not meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role. We know one of our strengths as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion , fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We are committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to [email protected] for accessibility support or adjustments. Applications close on 8 May 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-51074). LI-DNI