The University of Western Australia (UWA) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Bioprocess Engineering to join the Synthetic Microbiology Laboratory within the School of Molecular Sciences. This position offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of synthetic biology and sustainable biomanufacturing, focusing on engineering ultra-fast microbial chassis such as Vibrio natriegens for the production of high-value polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from sugarcane-derived feedstocks. The research aims to develop scalable, low-carbon alternatives to petroleum-based plastics through advanced strain engineering, fermentation, and bioprocess optimization.

The successful candidate will be involved in high-cell-density and fed-batch cultivation, media and feeding strategy optimization, process robustness, scale-down and early scale-up modeling, and integration of strain performance with sustainability and techno-economic constraints. The role includes close collaboration with strain engineers, students, and industry partners, contributing to high-impact publications, student supervision, and future funding proposals.

Applicants should have a degree or equivalent experience in bioprocess engineering, chemical engineering, biotechnology, or a related field, with hands-on experience in microbial fermentation and bioprocess development. Strong analytical skills, familiarity with HPLC/GC/LC-MS, and experience with scale-up/scale-down approaches are required. Excellent communication and teamwork abilities are essential. Only candidates with the right to work in Australia are eligible.

The position is full-time and fixed-term for 2 years, offering a base salary of $112,371 per annum plus 17% superannuation, flexible working options, generous leave, salary packaging, discounted course fees, and health insurance. Applications close on 2 March 2026. For more information, contact Associate Professor Georg Fritz at [email protected]. Apply online via the UWA jobs portal and address the selection criteria in your submission.