Advanced Laboratory Technician

The University of Queensland; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 97,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at The University of Queensland is hiring an Advanced Laboratory Technician on a full-time, fixed-term basis through to December 2027. Based at the St Lucia Campus, the role focuses on mammalian cell culture, protein production, aseptic work, and lab compliance to support vaccine development projects.

You will manage CHO cell culture activities, maintain equipment, and help improve testing procedures.

Qualifications

• Degree in microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology or related discipline with relevant experience
• Demonstrated expertise in mammalian cell culture and CHO cell methodologies
• Strong practical knowledge of molecular biology lab methods and equipment
• Advanced capability in cleaning, maintaining, servicing, troubleshooting and calibrating laboratory equipment
• Detailed knowledge of laboratory safety requirements and risk assessments
• Experience maintaining laboratory records, samples and inventories

Responsibilities

• Provide technical laboratory support across methods and equipment, troubleshoot issues, and help develop testing procedures
• Manage CHO cell culture activities, coordinate with researchers for transfections and reporting
• Maintain laboratory operations, equipment servicing, calibration, QA, and waste management
• Support field and lab research by preparing for external site work and ensuring safety and readiness of labs
• Assist with undergraduate lab experiments, materials handling, and outreach activities

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Aseptic technique

Molecular biology

Laboratory documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in microbiology/biotechnology or related discipline

Tools

Laboratory equipment handling

Cell culture facilities

Job description

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) Full-time (100%), fixed-term position through to December 2027

Base salary will be in the range $97,268.85 - $104,348.98 + 17% super (HEW Level 6)

Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

Join the collaborative Chappell research group and support an industry-linked vaccine development program and the broader work of the group. As the Advanced Laboratory Technician, you will provide specialist technical expertise in mammalian cell culture, protein production and aseptic laboratory practice. You will help researchers deliver focused, high-quality work while maintaining the equipment, systems and standards needed for safe, reliable and compliant laboratory operations.

Key responsibilities will include:

Provide technical laboratory support across a range of laboratory methods and equipment, including troubleshooting experimental and equipment issues, maintaining specialist knowledge of laboratory techniques, and assisting with the development and improvement of testing procedures and methodologies.

Manage CHO cell culture activities, including coordination with researchers to perform transfections, maintenance of CHO cell line banks, and support for laboratory experiments and reporting.

Maintain laboratory operations and compliance through equipment servicing, repair and calibration, quality assurance processes, risk assessments, waste management, housekeeping, stock and chemical inventory control, sample storage, and accurate record management.

Support laboratory and field-based research activities by assisting with preparation for external site work and ensuring laboratories are operational, safe, and research-ready.

Safety

Ensure the safe and compliant operation of laboratory and facility activities by managing occupational health and safety systems, risk assessments and mitigation strategies, inductions, supervision, training records, inventories, and the reporting and investigation of incidents, injuries, and hazards.

Monitor and maintain compliance with University, regulatory, and quarantine requirements through laboratory audits, compliance inspections, and the application of safe design principles to laboratory and facility plant, equipment, and systems.

Operational and Administration

Coordinate laboratory operations and resources, including equipment requests, consumables, inventory management, procurement activities, maintenance scheduling, and contribution to laboratory budget planning for equipment, facilities, and service contracts.

Support the effective delivery of laboratory services through liaison with internal and external stakeholders and assistance with the supervision of casual laboratory support staff.

Education

In conjunction with discipline-based academic staff, develop and maintain undergraduate laboratory experiments to satisfy learning objectives for undergraduate courses, including: determining requirements for the preparation/conduct of classes; the development and testing of new practicals and participation in tutor training. Assist with distribution, handling and administration of teaching related materials such as practical notes and examination papers. Assist with preparations for and participate in the outreach activities, information sessions and workshops for schools and other external organizations.

About You

You will bring:

• A degree in microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology or a related discipline, together with relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and professional experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in mammalian cell culture, including CHO cell methodologies and effective aseptic techniques.
• Strong practical knowledge of molecular biology or vaccine-development laboratory methods and equipment.
• Advanced capability in cleaning, maintaining, servicing, troubleshooting and calibrating laboratory equipment.
• Detailed knowledge of laboratory safety requirements and operating procedures, including risk assessment, quarantine, waste disposal, chemical labelling and incident reporting.
• Experience maintaining laboratory records, sample storage systems, inventories, consumables and high standards of laboratory housekeeping.
• The ability to analyse technical problems, improve testing procedures and methodologies and communicate findings through clear reports.
• Strong interpersonal and organisational skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with researchers, professional staff and internal and external clients.

Other Information Pre‑employment checks may include:

verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, mandatory immunisations. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

We’re dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity.

We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing [e-mail] or calling [phone].

Applications close 11 November 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-70248).

About UQ

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.

Enjoy up to 26 weeks paid parental and primary care leave, 17% super, 17.5% leave loading, flexible working options, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, on‑campus childcare, affordable parking, and salary packaging.