- One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
- Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
- Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best
At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.
The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) has over 148 academic staff and research staff, over 170 research students and 60 Honours students. BEES incorporates environmentally relevant disciplines enabling the School to undertake comprehensive education and research in the mainstream disciplines of biology, geography and geology. This also provides students the opportunity for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary studies.
The Technical Officer will be responsible for providing effective technical and administrative assistance to ensure the smooth daily operations of the teaching and/or research laboratories and facilities within the School of BEES. The position will work closely with academic staff, laboratory demonstrators and students to provide high quality technical support and be required to support the management of BEES undergraduate courses.
About the role
• Level 5 ($85k - $96k) plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 2 years
• Part-time (21 hours per week)
The role reports to the Technical Laboratory Manager and has no direct reports.
Specific responsibilities for this role include:
• Provide quality technical support to the shared research and/or teaching laboratories, including the timely preparation and turnaround of equipment and learning materials (physical and/or online) for practical classes.
• Provide technical assistance to staff and students by demonstrating common experimental techniques, basic induction, the safe operation of equipment, instrument training, on-demand troubleshooting and responding efficiently and courteously to requests
• Coordinate and carry out a range of support service work for research and teaching laboratories within BEES, including
oTesting of safety showers and eyewash stations;
o Checking and restocking first aid kits;
o Disposal of hazardous and other waste, in accordance with UNSW processes and procedures and relevant legislation, and participate in maintenance of shared waste stores;
o Autoclaving as required.
• Source and maintain equipment, instruments or chemicals and consumables required for laboratory and/or research taking careful consideration of cost and availability. Liaise with suppliers to rectify faults and organise repairs. Accurately prepare and maintain laboratory documentation, including safety records, instrument/equipment/plant records including identifying technical faults.
• Manage laboratory inventories and ensure that all equipment/chemicals are stored safely and are correctly labelled. Audit inventory to validate records.
• Identify and address any problems within the laboratory and escalate as appropriate and in a timely manner.
• Schedule laboratory equipment and instrumentation including internal booking requirements, access requirements and training requirements.
• Provide support for fieldwork where required and participate in fieldwork activities.
• Assist with the management and maintenance of (where appropriate):
o The School’s vehicle fleet, include trailers, cold storage facilities, and inventory systems;
o The School’s teaching microscopes;
o The School’s rock storage and operating the rock crushing facilities;
o The School’s John T. Waterhouse Herbarium.
o The School’s glasshouse.
• Perform other appropriate duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Technical Laboratory Manager
• Implement and enforce university policy and procedures to ensure safety compliance in the laboratory. Identify hazards and effectively manage risk.
• Act as the first aid officer and undertake relevant training and refreshers as required.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values
• Cooperate with all health & safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the psychosocial or physical health and safety of yourself or others.
About the successful applicant
(Selection Criteria)
To be successful in this role you will have:
• Relevant tertiary qualification with subsequent relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience.
• Extensive understanding of geosciences and/or biological sciences and/or experience working in a teaching and/or research laboratory.
• Demonstrated ability or willingness to coordinate and participate in fieldwork.
• Ability to maintain a range of laboratory and field scientific equipment used for data collection in the relevant discipline/s
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the demonstrated ability to liaise with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Effective record keeping skills (both paper and electronic), including the ability to work accurately, with strong attention to detail.
• Proven experience working as part of a high performing team and independently.
• A first aid certificate or a willingness to obtain one to undertake duties as a first aid officer in the School.
• Current driver’s licence, and ability or willingness to learn to drive vehicles with trailers and/or minibuses.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.
You should systematically address the selection criteria listed above in your application.
Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.
Contact:
Frank Hemmings
E: f.hemmings@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: January 6th, 2025
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UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
