Role overview

One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

We are looking to recruit a highly motivated post-doctoral fellow to join an Australian Research Council-funded project, to build the ‘super-ribosome’. The project aims to understand the post-translational modifications present on ribosomes, across the tree of life, and investigate whether such modifications could be used to improve the capacity of a cell to make proteins under certain stress conditions.

In this role, you will be responsible for conducting in-depth proteomic analyses of ribosomes from a range of species, with a focus on their post-translational modifications. Novel post-translational modifications will have cognate enzymes cloned and then investigated for their capacity to modify a model ribosome and modulate function.

You will be based in the School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Science at UNSW Sydney. The School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Science has 35 group leaders, more than 20 research associates and 15 professional and technical staff. The School consistently attracts substantial government and industry funding, including for a range of ARC and NHMRC fellows. The School resides in a new building in the biosciences precinct in Randwick and hosts a number of co-located biotechnology companies. The School has access to outstanding mass spectrometry facilities at the Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry Facility (BMSF) also hosts the Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, which is the largest genomics facility at any Australian university.

THIS ROLE IS LOCATED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

About the role

$113K - $121K plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
Fixed Term – 18 months (or to June 2028)
Full time (35 hours per week)

The role reports to Professor Marc Wilkins and has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

Contribute independently or as a team member in collaborative research of very high quality.
Use molecular biology, proteome analysis and protein translation assays techniques to execute research.
Conduct research (as per the norms of the discipline) to create scholarly output that is recognised by peers.
Undertake specific research project/s under the guidance of a research leader and contribute to development of research activities.
Support the dissemination of research outcomes through appropriate channels and outlets.
Undertake discipline-appropriate research activities e.g. surveys, literature reviews, data gathering and/or recording of results using appropriate research methods.
Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
Assist with the supervision of research students in the research area where required.
Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action: Our Behaviours and the UNSW Code of Conduct.
Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

About the successful applicant (Selection Criteria)

To be successful in this role you will have:

A PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology or related discipline.
Extensive experience in a range of mass spectrometry and proteome analysis techniques, including the analysis of protein post-translational modifications.
Extensive experience in the application of molecular biology methods to yeast, particularly S. cerevisiae, including genome editing via homologous recombination and phenotypic screening.
Experience in use of molecular biology techniques for the cloning of genes via E. coli the expression and purification of proteins of interest for in vitro enzyme assays.
Proficiency in bioinformatics skills, relevant to protein sequence analysis and the analysis of datasets generated by 'omics' techniques.
Knowledge of assays that monitor the quality of translation processes in the ribosome.
Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality academic research and conduct independent research with limited supervision.
Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations relative to opportunity.
Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with a diverse range of stakeholders and students.
Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact:Marc Wilkins
E: m.wilkins@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: August 13th, 2026

Find out more about working at UNSW at www.unsw.edu.au

UNSW aspires to be the exemplar Australian university and employer of choice for people from diverse backgrounds. UNSW aims to ensure equality in recruitment, development, retention and promotion of staff and that no-one is disadvantaged on the basis of their gender, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or identity or Indigenous heritage. We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria to apply.

UNSW partners with Australia’s leading diversity organisations, networks, and campaigns. Please refer to UNSW’s diversity offerings for further information on our flexible work and leave options, and support for carers (childcare, parent rooms, parental leave).