What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Fellow - Genetics & Youth Mental Health position at uq?
Children’s Health Research Centre Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 2 years Base salary will be in the range $83,698 – $138,769, plus super (Academic Level A/B) Based at our South Brisbane location About This Opportunity Join UQ’s Children’s Health Research Centre and help shape the future of youth mental health through world leading research in statistical and psychiatric genetics. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow or Research Fellow, you will contribute to impactful, internationally collaborative research as part of the Youth GEMs consortium and MRFF funded projects focused on pharmacogenetics and improving treatment outcomes for young people. You will work alongside leading researchers and clinicians, including global partners, in a supportive and inclusive environment that values curiosity, collaboration and real world impact. With access to world class infrastructure, strong mentoring and rich data resources, you will be empowered to grow your research independence, build your track record and contribute to meaningful change in young people’s lives. Key responsibilities will include: Research: Produce high‑quality research outputs consistent with disciplinary norms, including publication in reputable journals, and contribute to competitive research funding applications. Collaboration and Translation: Work collaboratively with colleagues on joint research projects and contribute to the translation of research outcomes to end users, including knowledge transfer and commercialisation opportunities. Supervision and Researcher Development: Contribute to the supervision and development of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, fostering a positive and inclusive research training environment. Citizenship and Service: Demonstrate citizenship behaviours aligned with University values through active participation in service roles, collaboration, and the development of external partnerships with industry, government and the community. This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance. For further information, please click here to view the information booklet. About You You will bring a strong foundation in psychiatric or statistical genetics and a genuine commitment to improving mental health outcomes for children and young people. You will also demonstrate: Completion (Level B) or near completion (Level A) of a PhD in genetics, youth mental health, psychology, quantitative genetics, or a closely related discipline. An emerging (Level A) or growing (Level B) research profile with publications in reputable, peer‑reviewed journals and presentations at academic conferences. Experience, or developing capability, in polygenic risk score analysis and the use of genetically‑informative datasets. Evidence of contributing to, or successfully seeking and managing, external research funding. The ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary clinical and research teams, while also developing increasing research independence. About UQ As part of the UQ community, you will work alongside some of the brightest minds from around the world in an environment that values interdisciplinary collaboration and purposeful research. UQ provides access to world‑class facilities, grant development support, and meaningful career pathways within a Group of Eight university. UQ research continues to shape understanding of child and youth wellbeing. In 2025, UQ researchers led studies examining parental risk factors and long‑term behavioural impacts associated with child maltreatment, reinforcing the University’s commitment to evidence‑based approaches that improve mental health outcomes across the lifespan. Read more about UQ’s child and youth mental health research on UQ News. The broader benefits of joining UQ include up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements, access to exclusive internal opportunities, and genuine academic career progression. Interested? For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Enda Byrne. 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. When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume, cover letter, and responses to the ‘About You’ section. Other Information Pre‑employment checks may include qualifications, Blue Card, mandatory immunisations, and other integrity and conduct requirements relevant to the role. Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package, however upfront costs will still be expected to be covered. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here. We’re dedicated to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Applications close Sunday 9 August 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R‑63070). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday 12 August 2026. The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ is situated. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. At the University of Queensland, we are proud to be one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions, consistently ranking among the top 50 universities worldwide. As a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, UQ is widely recognised for its intensive focus on research and teaching excellence – evidenced by our numerous accolades including more teaching awards than any other Australian University and reflected in UQ being the number one recipient of ARC Fellowships and Awards nationally across all scheme years (totalling 452 awards worth $339 million). Our state-of-the-art facilities, libraries, and cutting-edge research centres offer unparalleled opportunities for academic and professional growth. With five faculties, a number of globally recognised research institutes, and over 100 research centres, we attract an interdisciplinary community of more than 7000 staff, supporting more than 55,000 current students from over 137 countries. UQ is dedicated to supporting the career aspirations of our students and staff. Our comprehensive career services provide personalized guidance, skills development, and networking opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals. Whether you are a student seeking internships and job placements or a staff member looking for career advancement, UQ is here to support you every step of the way. UQ values equity, diversity and inclusion and seeks to reflect the broader community by attracting and retaining high-quality staff from a range of backgrounds. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion aims to ensure that everyone at UQ feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. We are particularly interested to hear from people who bring diversity to UQ – whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA , cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability. Whether you are a recent graduate, an Academic, or an experienced professional, UQ offers a wide range of opportunities to help you grow and succeed. Explore our current job openings, discover our programs, and become part of a community that is dedicated to creating lasting, meaningful impact for the communities in which we live and work. For more information about working at UQ and our employee benefits (such as generous leave provisions, 17% superannuation, flexible working arrangements, and health and wellness discounts) please visit Why Work at UQ.