Lead Veterinary Pathobiology & Diagnostic Research

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action seeks a Research Leader in Veterinary Pathobiology to serve as the Principal Veterinary Pathologist for Agriculture Science and Technology (AST). You will provide strategic leadership, veterinary pathology expertise, and capability development across AST and Agriculture Victoria.

You will advise the Chief Veterinary Officer on pathology, disease diagnosis, lab diagnostics, and emergency animal disease preparedness, with hybrid work

Qualifications

• Mandatory: BVSc/DVM or equivalent and registration in Victoria.
• Postgraduate training in Veterinary Pathology with extensive diagnostic pathology experience.
• Fellowship/Membership/board certification in Veterinary Pathology (ANZCVS/ACVP/ECVP or equivalent).
• Desirable: PhD or Masters in Veterinary Pathology or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and capability development across AST and Agriculture Victoria.
• Advise the Chief Veterinary Officer and Manager, Animal Health and Welfare on veterinary pathology and disease surveillance.
• Oversee diagnostic pathology services, emergency animal disease readiness and response.
• Represent BSPD-VDS expertise within Biosecurity Sciences and the broader org.

Skills

Veterinary pathology expertise

Strategic leadership

Laboratory diagnostic services

Emergency animal disease preparedness

Education

BVSc / DVM or equivalent

Registration to practise in Victoria

Postgraduate training in Veterinary Pathology

Fellowship / board cert in Veterinary Pathology

PhD or Masters in Veterinary Pathology

Job description

Research Leader - Veterinary Pathobiology

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

The Research Leader, Veterinary Pathobiology serves as the Principal Veterinary Pathologist for Agriculture Science and Technology (AST), providing strategic leadership, specialist veterinary pathology expertise, and capability development across AST and the broader Agriculture Victoria organisation. The position plays a critical role in advising the Chief Veterinary Officer and the Manager, Animal Health and Welfare on veterinary pathology, animal disease diagnosis, laboratory diagnostic services, emergency animal disease preparedness and response, and animal health priorities.

The position is based within Agriculture Science and Technology (AST) at AgriBio, Bundoora, Victoria's premier biosecurity and agricultural research facility. Operating within Biosecurity Sciences, Pests and Diseases (BSPD) - Veterinary Diagnostic Services (VDS), the role is central to Agriculture Victoria's animal health, disease surveillance, diagnostic, and biosecurity capability.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

Mandatory Qualifications

• Degree in Veterinary Science (BVSc, DVM or equivalent).
• Registration, or eligibility for registration, as a veterinarian in Victoria.
• Postgraduate training in Veterinary Pathology and extensive experience in veterinary diagnostic pathology.
• Fellowship, Membership or board certification in Veterinary Pathology through a recognised specialist veterinary college (e.g. ANZCVS, ACVP, ECVP, FRCPath or equivalent).

Desirable Qualifications

• PhD, Masters or equivalent higher degree in Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary Science or a related discipline.

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is AgriBio, Bundoora, with hybrid work arrangements available.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

Applications close 11.59pm on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace. If you need support to participate, please contact ***************@deeca.vic.gov.au.

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing. For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.