• Full time, fixed term until 30 June 2028
• Shape the future of sustainable plastics through AI and biotechnology
• Base Salary $117,936 - $125,896 + 17% superannuation 

About the opportunity

The School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Sydney, established in 1946, offered the first university-level chemical engineering program in Australia. The School is committed to teaching excellence and our graduates are highly regarded and sought after by employers in Australia and overseas. The School is research-intensive and considered a world leader in many cutting edge areas of chemical and biomolecular engineering.

We are currently seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work under the supervision of Professor Ali Abbas, to advance fungal process systems engineering for plastics biodegradation and circular bioprocesses. The role combines mechanistic modelling and AI with laboratory validation, including developing self-driving laboratory workflows for autonomous discovery and process optimisation.

The appointee will also coordinate the day-to-day operation of the research group under Professor Abbas’s direction, supporting research planning, laboratory operations, team coordination and delivery of the group’s approved research activities.

In this role you will:

• develop and validate mechanistic and hybrid AI models of fungal growth, polymer degradation and bioreactor performance.
• apply machine learning and optimisation to guide experiments and improve fungal process performance.
• design and undertake laboratory experiments with biological and analytical collaborators to validate computational predictions.
• develop automated workflows connecting experimental design, execution, data analysis and model updating.
• contribute to publications, reproducible code and datasets, and project reporting.
• coordinate day-to-day research group activities, including work plans, group meetings, milestone tracking and follow-up of agreed actions.
• coordinate laboratory access, equipment readiness, consumables and experimental scheduling with relevant technical staff, supporting safe and efficient operations.
• support research students and junior researchers through practical mentoring, onboarding and coordination of experimental and computational activities.
• assist the CI with project reporting, publication coordination, funding applications and partner engagement within the approved research scope.
• undertake teaching and education related activities in accordance with the Faculty of Engineering local area workload policy requirements for research focused academic staff.

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate who has:

• a completed PhD in chemical engineering, biotechnology, computational science or a related discipline.
• demonstrated experience in mechanistic modelling, numerical simulation or optimisation of biological or process systems.
• experience applying AI or machine learning to scientific problems, with proficiency in Python or equivalent programming tools.
• experience in experimental design and validating computational predictions against laboratory data
• research outputs appropriate to career stage and opportunity.
• desirable experience in fungal (or other microbial) biotechnology, plastics biodegradation, laboratory automation or autonomous experimentation.
• demonstrated experience coordinating research activities or laboratory workflows, including supporting researchers and tracking project deliverables.
• desirable experience in tertiary level teaching and education related activities.

Pre-employment checks and declarations 

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University.  Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement 

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. 

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. 

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.  

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard.  Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Rebecca Astar or Cherie Goodwin, Recruitment Consultants at [email protected]

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