Job Description
Position
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Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI). Full‐time (100%), fixed‐term position for up to five years.
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Base salary ranges: $145,****** – $168,****** + 17% super (Academic LevelC) and $175,****** – $193,****** + 17% super (Academic LevelD).
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Key Responsibilities
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Lead high‐impact research in food design and formulation, food processing, ingredient chemistry, and structure‐function relationships, publishing results in leading national and international forums.
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Develop innovative food processing technologies and scalable solutions that support translation from laboratory research through to pilot‐plant and commercial manufacturing environments, strengthening industry partnerships and commercialisation pathways.
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Supervise higher degree research students and mentor emerging researchers, fostering a supportive, inclusive, and high‐performing research culture.
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Build strategic partnerships across academia, industry, and government, contribute to governance and service activities, and champion a collaborative culture aligned with UQ values.
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Qualifications
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LevelC (Senior Research Fellow)
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Completion of a PhD in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
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Established research profile with national recognition and a strong record of publications in high‐quality refereed journals and conference outputs.
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Demonstrated expertise in food design and formulation, ingredient chemistry,



food functionality, and structure‐function relationships.
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Experience developing and optimising complex food systems and translating research outcomes into practical applications.
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Evidence of capability in scaling technologies and formulations from laboratory through pilot‐scale environments, including collaboration with industry partners.
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Experience applying AI, machine learning, or advanced analytics to integrate chemical, sensory, process, and experimental data to support innovation and process optimisation.
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Strong record of securing competitive research funding from national, industry, or commercial sources.
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Demonstrated success in HDR supervision, researcher mentoring, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
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LevelD (Principal Research Fellow)
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Completion of a PhD in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
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Internationally recognised research profile with a sustained record of outstanding achievement and leadership in food design and formulation, food processing, or closely related fields.
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Outstanding publication record in leading international journals and evidence of shaping significant research agendas within the discipline.
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Deep expertise in food and ingredient chemistry, processing technologies, functionality, and structure‐function relationships, with evidence of delivering impactful innovation.
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Extensive experience leading scale‐up activities from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacture, and demonstrated impact through industry adoption, translation, or commercialisation of research outcomes.
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Proven leadership in the application of AI‐enabled data integration, machine learning, and predictive modelling to accelerate food innovation and optimise processing performance.
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Excellent record of attracting and leading major competitive funding initiatives from government, industry, and commercial partners.
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Extensive record of HDR supervision to completion, with demonstrated capability to build, lead, and mentor high‐performing research teams.
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Evidence of strategic partnership development, leadership of large collaborative programmes, and influence across academic, industry, and government sectors.
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Benefits
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Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave.
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17.5% annual leave loading.
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Adaptable working arrangements.
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Access to world‐class facilities, equipment, and grant‐writing support.
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Opportunities for career progression via the academic promotions process.
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Diverse, inclusive, and connected community of researchers.
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#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Senior Research Fellow / Principal Research Fellow (Food Design And Formulation Lead) (Brisbane)
🏢 The University of Queensland
📍 Brisbane