Postdoctoral Research Fellow Microbial Engineering

About The Team

The School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences is engaged in a wide range of endeavours in the biomedical, medical diagnostic, food science and nutrition, molecular and forensic science fields. Key research areas include infectious disease, anti-microbial resistance, immunology, cancer biology, microbiology, forensic biology, food science and human nutrition. The school offers fascinating and exciting undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programs and is committed to providing a high-quality educational experience for students.

The Food Futures Institute (FFI) works to provide solutions on the sustainable use of limited land and water resources to economically and ethically improve food, forestry and fibre production. The FFI promotes excellent teaching and research facilities and has highly qualified academic and professional staff. The FFI is comprised of three research centres: 

Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems

Centre for Crop and Food Innovation

Centre for Animal Production and Health

Your New Role  

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will join Murdoch University's internationally recognised Legume Rhizobium Sciences (LRS) group, contributing to cutting-edge national research projects focused on sustainable agriculture. Based within the School of Medical and Molecular Sciences and affiliated with the Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, the successful candidate will apply microbial engineering techniques to enhance rhizobial performance and nitrogen fixation in pulses and pastures. This role offers the opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary team driving innovation in agricultural microbiology.

Your Key responsibilities will include –

• Coordinate and undertake research to adapt and apply microbial engineering techniques to rhizobia, to increase their genetic stability and symbiotic effectiveness.
• Conduct long and short-read genome sequencing of bacteria, including annotation, assembly and polishing of sequence data and subsequent analysis.
• Develop and undertake glasshouse experiments to assess performance of wild-type and modified bacteria in symbiosis with a range of legume hosts.
• Interpret and disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, presentations at academic conferences, and seminars, contributing to the advancement of the field.
• Develop and maintain a scholarly research profile by engaging in continuous professional development, seeking research funding, and contributing to the academic community.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams, supervise postgraduate and honours students, and contribute to the development of research capabilities within the institution.
• Build and maintain partnerships, collaborations and networks with relevant research bodies, service providers and growers, and other industry bodies relevant to Australian rhizobial research.
• Present the research findings at seminars and field days to industry, and the agricultural and scientific community, including through academic publication.

Please refer to the Position Description for further details.

What We Offer You

This Fixed Term (28 Months) | Full Time (37.5 hours per week) attracts a remuneration of $78,348 – $105,656 plus 17% employer superannuation contributions.   

You'll join a dynamic and talented team where diversity and innovation thrive. Our Silver-tier status in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), awarded in 2025, reflects our commitment to LGBTIQA+ inclusion, equity, and creating a safe, welcoming environment for all. We strive to be the university of choice for First Nations peoples, honouring Indigenous knowledge. Sustainability is central to our community and guided by clear, confident leadership, we are working toward an ambitious future with goals of net zero emissions and zero waste by 2030.

As well as the flexibility to maintain a work life balance, our staff enjoy a vibrant, natural campus with world-class facilities, along with a variety of benefits, including:

• Periodic salary increases between 1 July 2025 to 1 July 2026 totalling an 6% increase
• Flexible work arrangements
• Cultural Load and allowance - providing up to $8,944 per year to First Nations employees who are contributing cultural knowledge and perspectives beyond the scope of their role
• Indigenous Language Allowance
• Salary packaging options – such as purchasing leave, gym membership, car parking permit
• Employee Assistance Program
• On-campus services and facilities, such as a Childcare Centre, Gym, Vet Hospital, and Chiropractic Clinic

For further information, check out our benefits and services page

Join us

Please apply online via the Apply Now button, along with submitting the following documents to support your application -

• A cover letter including a statement addressing the selection criteria (with reference to the Position Description)
• Your most recent resume (CV)

What you'll bring to the role:

• A PhD, awarded or submitted in microbiology, biochemistry or closely related discipline, with strong skills in mutagenesis and genetic techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake and complete microbiology-based research projects and to manipulate, analyse and make inferences from data.
• Demonstrated experience of at least twelve months in advanced microbiology and molecular techniques for the study of legume microsymbionts.
• Demonstrated ability to work under broad direction only, exercise initiative in undertaking responsibilities and work effectively as a team member.
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to supervise research students.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary and collegial team.
• Demonstrated high levels of written and oral communication skills in English.

Applicants should refer to the Position Description for further details on the work requirements, duties, skills and experience required for this role. Applications sent by post or email will not be accepted.

Visa sponsorship and relocation may be available for the right candidate.

Please see the Applicant Guide for more information. Applicants who have support or access requirements, are encouraged to advise this at the time of their application, to ensure appropriate assistance is provided throughout the recruitment process.

Contact Us

For enquiries about the opportunity on offer please reach out to Jason Terpolilli, Associate Professor, and quote JR104418 as the reference.

Applications Close on 5th November :59pm AWST)

The University reserves the right to withdraw this advertisement at any time.

Murdoch University acknowledges the different perspectives, skills and experience that people from different backgrounds bring to strengthen its workforce. Murdoch University is committed to enhancing diversity in all its forms and strongly encourages suitably qualified candidates from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability, people of CaLD background and people of diverse genders to apply for this important position.

Murdoch University values workplace diversity, promotes inclusion, and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women, and individuals with disability. Applicants who have support or access requirements, are encouraged to advise this at the time of their application, to ensure appropriate assistance is provided throughout the recruitment process.