Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Operations and Safety)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 17% superannuation

5 weeks annual recreation leave

Sick/carers leave

Paid parental leave

Flexible working options

Study assistance

Professional development

Fitness Passport

Health insurance discount

On-site childcare

Job summary

James Cook University seeks a dynamic Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Operations and Safety) to lead planning and delivery of technical and operational services across multiple research facilities. You will ensure safety, compliance and optimal use of resources to support researchers and service outcomes.

The role emphasizes staff development and strategic leadership across campuses. Based at Townsville Bebegu Yumba, you will manage complex facilities and equipment in biological,

Qualifications

• Management experience within scientific or engineering laboratories or comparable technical services.
• Leadership across diverse teams, safety, compliance and operational improvement.
• Strong planning and resource coordination across multiple facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, prioritisation and delivery of technical and operational services across facilities and stores.
• Ensure facilities and equipment are safe, compliant and mission-ready for researchers.
• Build a high-performing culture, drive safety, risk management and continuous improvement.
• Develop staff capability and provide strategic advisory on feasibility and resources.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Safety compliance

Risk management

Strategic planning

Staff development

Tools

Analytical instruments

Job description

Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Operations and Safety)

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 research laboratory operations or technical service environments? This is an opportunity to lead safe, compliant and high-quality laboratory and technical services that directly support safety, research and service outcomes across JCU.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Operations and Safety) 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

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 research laboratory operations or technical service environments? This is an opportunity to lead safe, compliant and high-quality laboratory and technical services that directly support safety, research and service outcomes across JCU.

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

About the role

As Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Operations and Safety), you will lead the planning, prioritisation and delivery of technical and operational services across Academy research facilities and JCU Stores. You will ensure facilities, specialised equipment and resources are safe, compliant and operationally ready, ensuring service delivery to researchers, and embedding effective safety, risk management and compliance practices within the team’s day-to-day operations. With a portfolio spanning varied research disciplines, including an array of biological sciences, chemistry, geology, dentistry and engineering laboratories across multiple facilities and campuses, you will optimise people and resources to support high-quality research, safety and service 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 bringrelevant qualifications, together with demonstrated leadership and operational management experience in a complex laboratory or technical service environment. You will have experience overseeing specialist facilities, technical equipment, analytical instruments 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 scientific and/or engineering research laboratories, or comparable technical service environment, with a demonstrated understanding of the operational requirements of complex and regulated laboratory environments.
• Leadership experience in complex technical operational environments, with evidence of leading diverse teams, strengthening capability and collaboration, and fostering a culture of safety, accountability, innovation and high performance.
• Experience in the effective operation of biological, chemical and/or engineering laboratories, including physical containment facilities, specialised equipment and analytical instruments, and associated technical services, enabling effective research and service outcomes across broad discipline areas.
• Demonstrated experience leading safety and compliance within complex laboratory and research environments, with comprehensive knowledge of applicable WHS requirements, risk management, dangerous goods, Scheduled Medicines and Poisons, Australian Laboratory Standards, and Biosecurity, Gene Technology and Radiation regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing stores, inventory and/or services within a research or technical environment, ensuring effective resource availability, stock management and responsive service delivery to meet organisational needs.
• 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

Applications close Sunday, 1 November 2026 at11:55pm.

For enquiries about the role, please contact Dr Amanda Norton at **************@jcu.edu.au.

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.