Postdoctoral Research Associate/Research Fellow

Position Details

• Fixed Term for 2 Years | Full-Time

• Academic Level A | $90,930 - $110,197 p.a.

• Academic Level B | $115,871 - $137,122 p.a.

• Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country / Adelaide CBD (SAHMRI)

• Level A Position Description

• Level B Position Description

The successful candidate will be appointed to either the Level A or Level B position. Please indicate on your application which position(s) you would like to be considered for.

College of Medicine and Public Health

At the College of Medicine and Public Health, we deliver clinical, population and lab-based research, integrated teaching programs and high-quality clinical services. Our footprint reaches out from our world class teaching hospital at the Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia to multiple rural clinical locations all the way to Darwin in the Northern Territory. Our research and teaching equip the next generation of leaders and innovators with the skill, commitment, and vision to protect vulnerable communities and truly advance health outcomes. It is at the heart of everything we do.

About the Level A Role

Join a world-leading research program at the MND Centre for Drug Discovery, using our world-first population‑scale drug screening technology to develop a new generation of therapies for motor neurone disease. In this Postdoctoral Research Associate role, you will play a key part in a major drug discovery program, supporting the design and delivery of innovative research using advanced stem cell models and high-throughput robotics. Working in a collaborative, well-resourced and high-performing environment, you will contribute to impactful scientific outcomes and help translate research into real-world therapeutic advances.

This role may also require working across multiple locations, including Bedford Park and the Adelaide CBD.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support the planning, design and delivery of research activities to achieve project milestones and KPIs, collaborating closely with internal teams and external partners

• Contribute to high-quality research outputs, including publications, presentations and grant activity, aligned with strategic research priorities

• Assist in coordinating project activities and maintaining effective collaborations across academic, clinical and industry stakeholders

• Provide support in supervising students and fostering a collaborative research culture within the laboratory

About You

You are an emerging researcher with a strong foundation in neuroscience, stem cell biology or a related discipline, motivated to contribute to impactful, translational research. You bring hands-on experience in laboratory-based research and are confident designing and executing experiments with a high level of rigour and reproducibility. A collaborative team player, you enjoy working in multidisciplinary environments and are committed to producing high-quality research outputs that make a meaningful difference.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• A completed (or near-completed) PhD in a relevant field, with demonstrated experience in experimental research and data analysis

• Practical expertise in techniques such as stem cell culture, disease modelling or imaging-based analysis, with a strong emphasis on scientific rigour

• Evidence of emerging research performance, including publications and/or presentations, and the ability to contribute to research outputs and projects

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively, engage with stakeholders and contribute positively to a team research environment

About the Level B Role

Join a ground-breaking research program at the MND Centre for Drug Discovery, using our world-first population‑scale drug screening technology to develop a new generation of therapies for motor neurone disease. As a Research Fellow, you will take a leading role in the delivery of a major drug discovery project, applying advanced stem cell models and high-throughput robotics to investigate disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets in MND. Working within a highly collaborative and well-resourced environment, you will drive high-impact research outcomes, contribute to funding success and play a key role in translating discoveries into real-world clinical impact.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and contribute to the planning, design and delivery of research activities to achieve project milestones and KPIs in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams

• Drive high-quality research outputs, including publications, conference presentations and contributions to competitive grant applications

• Coordinate project activities and build strong collaborations with academic, clinical and industry partners at local, national and international levels

• Supervise and mentor honours and postgraduate students, supporting capability development and a high-performing research culture

About You

You are an experienced and driven researcher with a strong track record in biomedical or translational research, ready to take a leading role in delivering impactful scientific outcomes. You bring advanced technical expertise, the ability to independently design and execute complex research projects, and a collaborative approach to working with multidisciplinary teams and partners. Passionate about research that makes a difference, you are motivated to contribute to high-quality outputs, secure competitive funding and support the development of emerging researchers.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• A PhD in a relevant discipline and demonstrated research experience, including high-quality publications, conference presentations and contributions to securing external funding

• Practical expertise in techniques such as stem cell culture, disease modelling or imaging-based analysis, with a strong emphasis on scientific rigour

• Strong expertise in experimental design, data collection and analysis, with the ability to independently lead and deliver research activities to meet project objectives

• Proven ability to build and maintain effective collaborations with academic, clinical and industry stakeholders at multiple levels

• Excellent communication, leadership and mentoring skills, with experience supervising or supporting students and contributing to a high-performing research environment

These positions make a significant contribution to the University’s strategic plan to change 10 million lives, Every One Matters, by 2035, through directly contributing to Research that Matters, advancing innovative, translational research that seeks to develop new therapies and improve outcomes for people living with motor neurone disease.

Life at Flinders

We're transforming and investing in people and facilities to create contemporary, stimulating, and satisfying learning and work environments that reflect our core values of excellence, innovation, courage, and integrity. Flinders is refocusing its strategic priorities with the aim of elevating its performance to be a top ten Australian university, and amongst the top 1% in the world.

Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them. So, why work at Flinders?

• 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options

• Flexible working arrangements

• Wide range of professional development activities and services

• We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff

• Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campus health care services, gym and childcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia).

Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment

Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies.

• Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan

• Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy

Prescribed Conditions for Employment

• A current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which is satisfactory to the University will be required by Flinders University before the successful applicant can commence in this position. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role.

How to Apply and Information

• You are required to submit a CV, along with a Suitability Statement as a separate document.  This should be no more than 3 pages, and address the Key Position Capabilities of the Level A Position Description and/or Level B Position Description

• For more information regarding this position, please contact Christopher Bye

Certification

Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:

15 June 2026

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Flinders. Fearless.