Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Advanced Microphysiological Systems

MiPSET - ARC Training Centre for Microphysiological System Technology; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

MiPSET at QUT Kelvin Grove invites applications for a fixed-term, full-time Postdoctoral Fellow, Level A, to advance human-relevant microphysiological system technologies. The appointee will develop independent research trajectories at the intersection of bioengineering, microfluidics, tissue engineering and advanced in vitro models.

The successful candidate will collaborate with the Centre Director and a multidisciplinary network of researchers and industry partners, contributing to immune

Qualifications

• PhD or near completion in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, tissue engineering, microfluidics, immunology, or related field.
• Strong research track record with potential for independent fellowship funding.
• Ability to work across disciplines and communicate with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop an independent research trajectory at the intersection of bioengineering, microfluidics, tissue engineering and advanced in vitro models.
• Collaborate with the Centre Director and a multidisciplinary network of researchers and industry partners.
• Build a competitive track record for external fellowship funding and research leadership.

Skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Scientific writing

Research leadership

Mentoring

Education

PhD in biomedical engineering or related field

Tools

Organs-on-chip

3D printing

Microfluidics

Job description

The ARC Training Centre for Microphysiological System Technologies (MiPSET) is seeking an ambitious and intellectually curious researcher to help develop the next generation of human-relevant microphysiological systems.

This position offers an opportunity to build an independent research trajectory at the intersection of bioengineering, microfluidics, tissue engineering and advanced in vitro models. The successful candidate will contribute to emerging research directions within MiPSET, including the development of lymphoid and immune tissue models, 3D-printed organ-on-chip technologies, and open or accessible microfluidic platforms that enable more physiologically relevant and experimentally flexible tissue systems.

We are looking for more than technical expertise. The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys developing new ideas, solving difficult interdisciplinary problems, initiating collaborations and helping shape research directions. They will work closely with the Centre Director and a multidisciplinary network of researchers and industry partners, while progressively developing the intellectual independence, leadership experience and research track record required for a future academic career.

We welcome applications from researchers at different early-career stages, including exceptional recent PhD graduates who can demonstrate strong research potential, initiative and a clear ambition to pursue an independent academic career. The successful candidate will be supported and expected to progressively build a competitive track record for external fellowship and research funding schemes.

To ensure job flexibility the successful appointee may be required to:

• perform any other duties as nominated by the University consistent with the relevant classification descriptors detailed in the Enterprise Agreement. Staff undertaking any new duties will receive training;
• participate in job rotation or multiskilling in consultation with their supervisor;
• work across campuses

The successful candidate will be appointed at Postdoctoral Fellow, Level A.

This position reports to the Centre Director Professor Yi-Chin Toh for supervision, workload management and performance expectations.

Type of appointment

This appointment will be offered on a fixed-term, full-time basis for 2 years.

Location

QUT Kelvin Grove campus.

About the Centre

The ARC Training Centre for Microphysiological System Technology (MiPSET) is a national initiative funded by the Australian Research Council under the ITRP scheme. The centre unites four prominent Australian academic institutions with major pharmaceutical industry leaders, national research organisations (CSIRO, DSTG), and over twenty Australian and international companies spanning the entire microphysiological systems (MPS) technology value chain.

The Centre tackles the urgent global move away from animal testing, in line with the recent push by international regulatory authorities to adopt non-animal testing methods.

Our research Centre's vision and aim are to establish world-class capacity and scientific leadership in Australia by developing and integrating technological innovations in non-animal models. We aim to deliver advanced solutions and impactful outcomes that position Australia at the forefront of the rapidly evolving medical product development landscape. We will train a new generation of research and industry personnel skilled in innovating, translating, and deploying vital MPS technologies, fostering significant economic benefits, sovereign manufacturing capability, and thousands of jobs over this decade and beyond.

MiPSET consists of three core pillars:

• Training diverse research and industry personnel with in-depth expertise in specific aspects of MPS technology and a broader understanding of the entire MPS life cycle, including effective stakeholder collaboration skills.
• Advancing scientific knowledge to accelerate translation of MPS technologies from proof-of-concept to deployable products, including developing MPS with novel functional features for next-generation therapeutics, improving compatibility with advanced manufacturing and automation, and integrating advanced biosensors with machine learning algorithms.
• Fostering collaboration between academic, industry, regulatory and professional bodies to address technology challenges and create dialogue across the entire value chain.

Selection Criteria

• 1.PhD or near completion of a PhD, in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, tissue engineering, microfluidics, biomaterials, immunology or a related discipline, with a strong record of research achievement relative to career stage and opportunity, which may include high-quality publications, awards, conference presentations, initiation of new research directions or collaborations, and/or contributions to grant, fellowship or project proposals.
• 2.Research experience in one or more areas relevant to the Centre’s research program, including microphysiological systems (MPS), organs-on-chip, microfluidics, tissue engineering, 3D cell culture, biomaterials, biofabrication or related technologies. Experience in lymphoid or immune tissue models, 3D printing or open microfluidics would be highly regarded.
• 3.Demonstrated ability to learn and integrate new methodologies, solve complex research problems creatively, and move beyond established protocols. Evidence of developing new experimental approaches, technologies or model systems through PhD, postdoctoral, industry or other research experience is desirable.
• 4.Demonstrated intellectual ownership, initiative and scientific judgement in research, including the ability to formulate research questions, develop experimental strategies, contribute new ideas, shape research direction, and drive projects toward high-quality outcomes, with the potential to mentor junior researchers and contribute to an intellectually engaged research environment.
• 5.Demonstrated ability to work effectively across disciplines or industry and communicate complex scientific ideas clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Evidence of productive teamwork, collaboration, stakeholder engagement or scientific communication appropriate to career stage.

For further information about the position, please contact Dr Ilana Bolingford, Centre Manager via email: [e-mail]