Laboratory Assistant - Mortuary

University of New South Wales; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% Superannuation and leave loading

Additional 3 days of leave over the X’

Lifelong learning and career dev.

Progressive HR practices

Job summary

University of New South Wales – Sydney NSW is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to support the Gross Anatomy Support Unit. You will help prepare and maintain anatomical specimens and laboratory resources, assist with dissections, embalming, and preservation, and contribute to the day-to-day operation of the Gross Anatomy Laboratories and Mortuary.

The role requires knowledge of human anatomy and compliance with relevant legislation, with responsibilities including donor management and on-call

Qualifications

• Certificate in relevant discipline or equivalent knowledge gained through education, training or experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human anatomy with experience in dissection of cadaveric material.
• Exposure to or willingness to develop skills in anatomical embalming or mortuary practices.
• Demonstrated experience or knowledge in handling preservation processes and chemicals.
• Understanding of the NSW Anatomy Act 1977 and related legislation in the workplace.
• Demonstrated laboratory and technical support skills with knowledge of preservatives and hazardous chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Maintain laboratory and mortuary facilities and support practical teaching sessions.
• Assist with dissection, embalming and preservation activities and donor management where required.
• Manage specimen tracking records and ensure compliance with safety and university policies.
• Assist in Museum of Human Disease operations and on-call mortuary duties as needed.

Job description

University of New South Wales – Sydney NSW

• Employment Type: Continuing Full - time (38 hours a week)
• Remuneration: $100,174 base, + 17% Super + Cadaver Loading and leave loading
• Work rights required: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold full rights to work in Australia to be considered for this position.
• Location: Onsite, Kensington, Sydney

About UNSW:

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. It’s the reason we’re one of the top 20 universities in the world and a member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Details of the role

The Laboratory Assistant plays a key role within the Gross Anatomy Support Unit (GASU), providing technical and operational support to ensure the effective delivery of anatomy teaching, research and mortuary services. Reporting to the Manager, GASU, the role supports the preparation and maintenance of anatomical specimens and laboratory resources, assists with dissections, embalming and preservation activities, and contributes to the day-to-day operation of the Gross Anatomy Laboratories and Mortuary. The Museum of Human Disease houses over 1,500 preserved human tissues, generously donated for education. The collection highlights a wide range of diseases and conditions including HIV/AIDS, cancer, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, genetic disorders, and the effects of substance use.

Working closely with academic and professional staff, the Laboratory Assistant is responsible for maintaining laboratory and mortuary facilities, supporting practical teaching sessions, managing specimen tracking records, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and University policies, and upholding the highest standards of workplace health and safety. The role also assists with donor management processes, surgical skills workshops and on-call mortuary operations, contributing to the safe and respectful handling of human anatomical materials. The role has no direct reports and is required to assist in the Museum of Human Disease as required.

• A Certificate in relevant discipline or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training and/or experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human anatomy with experience in dissection of cadaveric material.
• Exposure to or willingness to develop skills in anatomical embalming or mortuary practices.
• Demonstrated experience or knowledge in handling preservation processes and associated chemicals.
• An understanding of the NSW Anatomy Act 1977 and the NSW Human Tissue and Anatomy Legislation Amendment Act 2003 and demonstrated experience in applying this legislation in the workplace.
• Demonstrated laboratory and technical support skills with knowledge in the use of relevant preservatives and corrosive/toxic chemicals.

Please refer to the position description for full details.

UNSW Benefits and Culture

• 17% Superannuation and leave loading
• Additional 3 days of leave over the Christmas Period
• Access to lifelong learning and career development
• Progressive HR practices

More information on the great staff benefits and culture can be found here.

Pre-Employment Checks:

As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

Applications close: Sunday 8th November before 11.30pm Sydney time

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.