Senior Research Fellow, Preclinical Vaccine Development

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)

Full-time (100%), fixed-term position through to November 2026

Base salary will be in the range $114,824.05 - $136,048.72 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level B)

Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

Lead preclinical vaccine development as part of an established research group developing a Rapid Response Vaccine Pipeline. This is your opportunity to further your expertise and growing research profile to achieve national recognition in your discipline, whilst collaborating with world class academics, scientists and industry partners, conducting innovative research with significant commercial applications. At this level it is expected that you will also efficiently manage service and engagement roles and activities.

Key Responsibilities Will Include:

• Research: Leadership role within a team research program focused on vaccine development; Produce quality research outputs consistent with discipline norms by publishing or exhibiting in national research journals, other appropriate refereed publications and conference publications, with a lead role in some outputs; Participate in or contribute as chief investigator role (often in conjunction with more experienced researchers) in applications for competitive research funding to support projects and activities, which includes actively seeking, obtaining and managing research funding; 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; Review and draw upon best practice research methodologies.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Supervise students, recruit and manage employees, 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 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.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

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 including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

About You

• Completion of a PhD in immunology, virology, molecular biology or similar field
• A growing profile in research in the discipline area.
• A developing reputation and track record of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.
• Evidence of successfully seeking, obtaining and managing external research funding.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and lead team based research initiatives.
• Well organised with thorough attention to detail in the recording of research methods and results
• A growing record of supervision of Honours and Research Higher Degree students to successful completion.
• Experience in meaningful internal service roles in conjunction with active contributions to external activities

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check, mandatory immunisations etc. 

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 Prof Keith Chappell - k.chappell@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.
 

Want To Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Responses to the ‘About You’ section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

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 don’t 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.

Applications close Tuesday, 14 October 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-56997). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for mid October