Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Education, Life Env. Sciences)

James Cook University; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 112,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 17% superannuation

5 weeks annual recreation leave

Paid parental leave up to 6 months

Flexible working options

Job summary

James Cook University in Townsville seeks an experienced leader to head Laboratory and Technical Services across Education, Life and Environmental Sciences. You will oversee teaching labs, safety, and equipment to support student learning outcomes.

Leadersh​ip across multidisciplinary teams, strategic planning, and continuous improvement are essential as you shape service delivery and staff development in a dynamic university setting.

Qualifications

• Experience leading operations in biological, earth and/or environmental science labs.
• Ability to manage safety, compliance and high-quality service delivery.
• Experience in planning, prioritising and coordinating resources for teaching labs.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, prioritisation and delivery of laboratory and technical services across disciplines.
• Ensure safe, compliant operations and optimize facilities and equipment for teaching.
• Develop staff capability and drive continuous improvement in services.

Skills

Leadership experience

Safety culture

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Education

Biology/Environmental Science degree

Job description

Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Education, Life Env. Sciences)

James Cook University (JCU) is creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally and globally.

Are you an experienced leader with a strong background in biological sciences, laboratory operations, or technical service environments? This is an opportunity to lead safe, compliant and high-quality laboratory and technical services that directly support student learning outcomes across JCU.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Education, Life and Environmental Sciences) to provide strategic and operational leadership across multidisciplinary facilities, teams and services.

• Laboratory and Technical Services, Education Division
• Full-time, continuing | 36.25 hours per week
• Successful candidate must be based in Townsville or willing to relocate before commencement
• Based at the Townsville Bebegu Yumba campus, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and tropical North Queensland
• HEWL 8: $111,960 - $128,567 per annum plus up to 17% superannuation
• To be considered for this position, applicants must have valid Australian working rights for the duration of the appointment

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Education, Life and Environmental Sciences), you will lead the planning, prioritisation and delivery of laboratory and technical services across multiple disciplines and campuses. The portfolio spans practical teaching delivery across Education, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Marine Biology and Aquaculture, and Zoology and Ecology disciplines. You will ensure services are delivered safely, consistently and to agreed standards, timeframes and stakeholder expectations, while optimising facilities, specialist equipment and other resources to support learning and operational outcomes.

The role also contributes to the broader leadership of Laboratory and Technical Services by building a high-performing and collaborative workplace culture, strengthening cross-team planning and driving service consistency, innovation and continuous improvement. You will lead and develop staff capability, manage workload and performance, and provide high-level technical and operational advice on the feasibility, safety, compliance and resource implications of planned activities.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE

You will bring qualifications and proven leadership experience gained in complex biological, earth and/or environmental science laboratories, or similar technical service environments, ideally in a higher education environment. You will have experience overseeing specialist facilities, technical infrastructure, equipment and resources, ensuring their safe, effective and compliant operation.

Your strong understanding of Workplace Health and Safety legislation will be supported by practical experience in risk management, incident response, compliance monitoring and continuous improvement. You will also demonstrate high-level communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, a proven ability to develop staff and team capability, and the capacity to contribute to strategic initiatives, service innovation and operational improvement.

Selection Criteria

In addition to the Key Requirements for Success outlined in the Role Profile, the successful applicant must have:

• Management experience within biological, earth and/or environmental science laboratories, or related scientific and technical environments, with a demonstrated ability to lead operational service delivery across diverse disciplines and practical learning environments.
• Leadership experience in complex technical and operational environments, with evidence of leading diverse teams, strengthening capability and collaboration, and fostering a culture of safety, accountability, innovation and high performance.
• Experience overseeing complex laboratory and technical operations, including specialised laboratories, equipment, instrumentation and practical learning activities, to support effective teaching and service outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience leading safety and compliance within complex laboratory and technical environments, with sound knowledge of WHS requirements, risk management, chemical and biological safety, dangerous goods, Australian laboratory standards and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing complex service demands across multiple disciplines and locations, with demonstrated ability to effectively plan, prioritise and coordinate human, financial and physical resources to meet competing operational and service requirements.

WHY JCU

JCU offers a dynamic and culturally diverse workplace where your ideas are valued, your professional growth is supported, and your work-life balance is respected. Working under the values of Authenticity, Excellence, Integrity and Respect, we support and empower our people through the provisions of:

• A generous superannuation scheme with up to 17% employer contributions with UniSuper
• 5 weeks of annual recreation leave plus leave loading
• 15 days paid sick/carers leave per year
• Up to 6 months paid parental leave
• A range of flexible working options
• Staff study assistance and paid study leave
• Ongoing professional development support
• Fitness Passport
• Corporate discount on health insurance
• Free Employee Assistance Program (coaching and counselling)
• Well-equipped modern facilities and contemporary workspaces with access to on-site childcare and medical services at our Townsville campus

ABOUT OUR PROCESS

At JCU, we are committed to employing individuals who meet the requirements of the role and align with our values. All applicants will be contacted and advised of an outcome once the recruitment process is finalised.

Please visit our Information Privacy Policy to understand how your information is collected, stored, accessed and used.

James Cook University encourages people from all backgrounds who meet the role requirements to apply. We value and celebrate the diversity of our community and are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming learning and working environment.