Two (2) full-time, fixed-term, research focused positions
Base salary will range from $83,698 – $111,431 (Academic Level A) + 17% Superannuation
Based at our Dutton Park campus
We have two exciting opportunities available for Postdoctoral Research Fellows to join the dedicated team of researchers at the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences Centre (QAEHS) within our Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences.
Supported by several research grants awarded to Associate Professor Phong Thai, the main objective of these positions will be to establish new approaches to monitor and assess the prevalence of vaping and smoking in the Australian population, mainly via wastewater analysis. To achieve this goal, you will conduct independent research within the field of environmental and public health, with a specific focus on surveillance of tobacco and nicotine consumption in association with burden of chronic diseases using wastewater-based epidemiology. This will involve integrating evidence from systematic reviews, epidemiological studies, and wastewater-derived data to build comprehensive, predictive indicators of emerging trends in nicotine-related products and disease burdens.
As Postdoctoral Research Fellows, you will have opportunities to contribute to research project design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and competitive funding applications; develop leadership capability through supervision of students engaged in these activities; and translate research findings into outputs that support public health policy development.
These two positions will be offered as follows:
Position 1: Full-time, fixed-term appointment for 3 years
This Postdoctoral Research Fellow requires epidemiological methods, evidence synthesis, and quantitative data analysis, enabling the development of targeted and exploratory indicators for monitoring tobacco exposure and chronic disease trends at the population level. You will hold demonstrated experience in epidemiological methodologies and data analytics. Your skills will include critical appraisal of epidemiological evidence, and statistical analysis to evaluate large and complex datasets and translate to easy and meaningful public health evidence.
Position 2: Full-time, fixed-term appointment for 2 years
This Postdoctoral Research Fellow requires analytical skills, evidence synthesis, and quantitative data analysis, enabling the development of targeted and exploratory indicators for monitoring exposure to tobacco and related products and health impacts at the population level. You will hold demonstrated experience in instrumental analysis (LCMS) and data analytics related to wastewater analysis. Your skills will include critical appraisal of epidemiological evidence, and statistical analysis to evaluate large and complex datasets and translate to easy and meaningful public health evidence.
Ideal candidates will possess:
Completion of a PhD in environmental health, public health, or a related area, with experience in the research context.
Strong analytical skills to develop a new program for gathering evidence of the emergence of new alternative products related to tobacco and nicotine in the population through multiple sources such as biomonitoring and wastewater analysis.
An emerging research profile in environmental health/public health with track records of publications in high quality journals including top general journals.
Excellent skills in data collection and management and reporting, including experience for data collection in the field.
Ability to perform in-depth and critical data analyses and, where relevant, data modelling and visualisation through the use of statistical software relevant to the Position applied.
Ability to manage multiple tasks in the role.
Evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.
Evidence of contributions towards successfully obtaining external research funding.
Experience in engagement with different stakeholders with demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
Some experience in meaningful internal service roles and contributions towards external activities.
We encourage all applications, both domestic and international. Subject to eligibility, we may support the successful applicants with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.
Appointment to these roles is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks including mandatory immunisations and verification of your qualifications. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.
As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.
The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad: from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.
For more information about these opportunities, please contact Associate Professor Phong Thai at qaehs.director@uq.edu.au.
For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:
Resume
Cover letter including responses to the ‘About You’ section above that satisfy the requirement of the Position applied for
Applicants should specifically address in your cover letter which position you are applying for (Position #1 or #2).
Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.
UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.
Applications close Friday 3 April 2026, 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number: R-61927).