Position Number: 0064936
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full-time; Fixed-term for 12 months
Faculty: Science
Department/School: School of BioSciences
Salary: UOM 5 $83,159 – $95,518 p.a. plus 17% super
- Drive the success of practical teaching by providing expert technical support for laboratory and field classes in zoology, ecology, and related disciplines.
- Contribute your expertise to an engaging academic environment, and collaborate with passionate professionals to inspire the next generation of scientists.
- Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families!
About the Role
As the Technical Officer (Zoology) within the School of BioSciences, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the undergraduate teaching programme, with a focus on practical classes in zoology and ecology. Your responsibilities will encompass the preparation and maintenance of teaching materials, equipment, and specimens, as well as providing expert technical assistance during laboratory and field classes. You will contribute to the development of practical classes, ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards, and manage specialised equipment and waste. This role also involves liaising with staff and students to deliver high-quality teaching outcomes and uphold the operational excellence of the School.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Preparing and maintaining teaching materials, specimens, and equipment for practical classes, including procuring, culturing, and field collection, while ensuring their suitability and efficacy for teaching purposes.
- Providing technical assistance during laboratory and field classes, supporting students, demonstrators, and academic staff, as well as contributing to the planning and execution of excursions, including safety documentation and permit management.
- Ensuring laboratory safety by maintaining compliance with health and safety standards, updating risk assessments and protocols, conducting safety inspections, and advising on best practices.
- Contributing to operational support by managing specialised instrumentation, overseeing specimen maintenance in the Tiegs Zoology Museum, procuring goods and services, and assisting with technical and administrative tasks as required.
Who We Are Looking For
You are a highly organised and adaptable individual with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to collaborate effectively with a diverse range of students, academic staff, and colleagues. With a strong foundation in zoology and ecology, you bring the technical expertise required to support the design and delivery of engaging and effective practical classes. Your ability to solve problems with creativity and precision will be instrumental in addressing the dynamic challenges of laboratory and fieldwork settings. Your keen attention to detail, coupled with strong time management and the capacity to prioritise competing demands, ensures the seamless delivery of teaching activities. Above all, you bring a proactive and team-oriented approach, contributing to a positive and supportive environment within the School of BioSciences.
You also have:
- A degree in Science or Applied Science (BioSciences), coupled with experience as a laboratory technician and/or in fieldwork.
- Proficiency in at least two of the following areas: small animal handling and animal physiology; fieldwork and animal surveying, including identification skills; or animal dissection and preparation for teaching purposes.
- A thorough understanding of laboratory safety procedures, including expertise in handling chemicals and biological materials, as well as knowledge of health and safety regulations in a laboratory setting.
- Well-developed technical skills and problem-solving abilities to troubleshoot experimental processes and support the preparation and delivery of practical classes in zoology and ecology.
For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.
This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.
Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.
Your New Team – The School of BioSciences
The School of BioSciences was formed in 2015 through the amalgamation of the School of Botany and the Departments of Genetics and Zoology thus bringing together a critical mass of 160 Academic staff and 240 Research Higher Degree students undertaking world class teaching and research in the biological sciences. Academics within the School are aligned to 2 research domains - Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Cells & Systems Biology. Through cross-disciplinary collaborations within the School and with external partners the School is a major recipient of grant and contract funding. The School is a major contributor to the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Biomedical Science and the Environmental Science programs, its teaching program reflecting the research interests within the School.
What We Offer You!
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page!
About the University of Melbourne
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.
Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.
We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the employee listed on the first page of the Position Description found below, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.
For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring
Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
- The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)
^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria
Please ensure that you apply through the Apply Now button at the bottom of this advertisement. However, if you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Anna Gradoboeva via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.
If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.
Position Description
