Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Stem Cell Population Genetics

University of Queensland; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Leave loading

Flexible working

Internal vacancies

Job summary

University of Queensland invites applications for a full-time fixed-term scientist to lead population-scale iPSC culture and single-cell profiling projects in the Context-dependent Genetics Lab. The role emphasizes designing complex stem cell experiments, developing reproducible protocols and contributing to publications and translations with a collaborative team.

The successful candidate will mentor students, work across disease systems and colleagues, and engage in partnerships with industry

Qualifications

• Completion, or near completion, of a PhD in Stem Cell Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Cell Biology, Computational Biology or a closely related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Design, lead and troubleshoot large-scale stem cell experiments including population-scale iPSC culture, differentiation and single-cell profiling.
• Mentor junior researchers and students in stem cell culture and experimental design; support Honours and higher degree by research students.
• Foster a safe, inclusive and collegial laboratory environment; develop partnerships with industry, government and the broader research community.

Skills

Stem cell culture

Single-cell sequencing

Bioinformatics

Python

R

Collaboration

Mentoring

Communication

Education

PhD in Stem Cell Biology or related

Computational Biology training

Tools

Organoids

Single-cell data analysis

Job description

• Institute for Molecular Bioscience
• Full-time fixed-term position for up to 2 years
• Base salary will be in the range $85,372.89 - $113,659.72 + 17% super (Academic Level A)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

Join a visionary, collaborative and rapidly growing research team led by Dr Drew Neavin at the intersection of population genetics, stem cell biology and single-cell genomics. The Context-dependent Genetics Lab is pioneering innovative “village-in-a-dish” stem cell culture systems that enable researchers to study how genetic regulation changes across cellular contexts, disease states and human genetic diversity. Supported by world-class infrastructure, a connected network of like-minded researchers, and a culture of collaboration and excellence, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to impactful science while shaping your own research career.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research: Design, lead and troubleshoot large-scale stem cell experiments, including population-scale iPSC culture, differentiation and single-cell profiling; contribute to project direction across disease systems; publish high-quality research outputs; analyse single-cell datasets in collaboration with computational researchers; develop robust and reproducible protocols; and contribute to research translation and commercialisation activities.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Mentor junior researchers and students in stem cell culture and experimental design; contribute to the supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students as appropriate.
• Citizenship and Service: Foster a safe, inclusive and collegial laboratory environment; contribute to shared infrastructure and laboratory practices; demonstrate behaviours aligned with UQ values; and develop partnerships with industry, government and the broader research community.

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 Stem Cell Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Cell Biology, Computational Biology or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with human pluripotent stem cell culture and differentiation.
• Experience planning, executing and troubleshooting large-scale or technically complex biological experiments.
• Evidence of high-quality publications and conference presentations consistent with career stage.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary and highly collaborative research team.
• Experience mentoring, supervising or supporting the development of students or junior researchers.
• Excellent communication, organisation, collaboration and problem‑solving skills.
• An emerging research profile in stem cells, genomics, genetics, or closely related fields.

Highly regarded

• Experience with single-cell technologies, including single-cell RNA sequencing or multiome approaches.
• Bioinformatic or computational experience in for example R or Python, or analysis of single-cell or genomic datasets or a willingness to develop these skills with support from the team.
• Experience with organoid or other complex differentiation systems.

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.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Drew Neavin at [e-mail].

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia and qualification checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package, however upfront costs will still be expected to be covered.You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.

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 criteria 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 [e-mail] or calling [phone].

Applications close Wednesday 4 November 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-69544). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for mid to late November.