Laboratory Assistant

Flinders University; City of Mitcham; On-site; AUD 74,392 - 80,234; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% Superannuation

Flexible working arrangements

Wide range of professional development activities

On-campus health care services

Gym and childcare centre

Job summary

A leading Australian university is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to provide essential support to the Integrative Neuroscience Laboratory. The role involves assisting with surgical procedures, preparing drugs, conducting histological techniques, and monitoring animal health. Candidates should have a diploma or relevant certification with experience in neuroscience research techniques. This full-time position offers a salary range of $74,392 - $80,234 p.a. The university promotes an inclusive culture and encourages applications from diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Completion of diploma or Certificate IV with experience.
• Ability to perform tasks like drug administration and tissue sectioning.
• Experience in monitoring animal health and histological results.

Responsibilities

• Assist with surgical procedures and animal recording experiments.
• Prepare and administer routine drugs in animal models.
• Perform routine histological techniques and capture experimental images.
• Conduct daily clinical health checks and monitor research animals.

Skills

Knowledge in neuroscience research techniques

Animal handling

Histological processes understanding

Microscopy skills

Education

Diploma level qualification

Certificate IV in relevant area

Tools

Optical microscopes

Fluorescence microscopes

Job description

Position Details

Fixed Term, available until 31/12/2026 | Full-Time

Higher Education Officer Level 4 | $74,392 - $80,234 p.a.

Location: Bedford Park / Kauna Land

View Position Description

About the College

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 from our world class teaching hospital at the Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia to multiple rural clinical locations 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 advance health outcomes. It is at the heart of everything we do.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity to provide vital support to the Integrative Neuroscience Laboratory Team, blending technical and administrative duties. A snapshot of daily tasks the successful candidate will work across includes:

• Assisting with surgical procedures and animal-based recording experiments by preparing sterilized instruments, setting up recording equipment, and monitoring anaesthesia levels under supervision.
• Preparing and administering routine drugs in animal models following established research protocols and safety guidelines.
• Perform routine histological techniques, including brain tissue collection, sectioning (e.g., using a cryostat or microtome), and performing immunohistochemical staining. Operate optical and/or fluorescence microscopes to capture experimental images and collect data in accordance with validated laboratory protocols.
• Conduct daily clinical health checks and post-operative monitoring of research animals, ensuring all observations are accurately documented in compliance with Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) requirements.

About You

You are an emerging laboratory assistant who enjoys being an active member of a research team. You are passionate about quality, compliance and standardisation in record management, with a natural curiosity for neuroscience. You will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Completion of a diploma level qualification with relevant work-related experience; or Certificate IV in a relevant area with extensive work experience or an equivalent combination of experience and/or education/training.
• Demonstrated knowledge in neuroscience research techniques, including basic animal handling and understanding of histological processes, and the principles of light and fluorescence microscopy.
• Demonstrated ability to perform precise tasks such as drug administration, tissue sectioning, staining procedures, and operation of microscope imaging systems under guidance.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring animal health and observing histological results, with the ability to identify and report issues promptly.

Life at Flinders

We are 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 aims to be a top ten Australian university and among the top 1% in the world.

We promote an inclusive culture that values equality and opportunity for all. We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities.

• 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)

Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment

Flinders University 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 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 satisfactory to the University is required before commencement. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate; each case will be assessed on its merits and relevance to the role.
• You may be required to provide evidence that you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, in line with Flinders University policies.

How to Apply and Information

• To apply online, visit the Jobs@Flinders website via the job portal: JR0000015602 Laboratory Assistant.
• Submit a CV, along with a Suitability Statement as a separate document (no more than 3 pages) addressing the Key Position Capabilities of the position description.
• For more information regarding this position, contact Yoichiro Otsuka.

Applications to be submitted before 10:00 pm (ACDT) 26 February 2026. Late applications and applications sent via agencies will not be accepted.

We value diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and from people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities.

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