Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Preclinical Sciences)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Superannuation up to 17%

Annual recreation leave

Flexible working options

Staff development

On-site childcare

Job summary

James Cook University is seeking a seasoned leader to head Laboratory and Technical Services (Preclinical Sciences) across Townsville campuses. You will plan, prioritise and deliver services to support high-quality student learning and service outcomes.

You will guide staff development, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, and optimise specialist laboratories and equipment across disciplines. This role demands strategic leadership and collaborative leadership across teams.

Qualifications

• Experience leading laboratory and technical services across multiple campuses.
• Proven ability to manage safety, compliance and regulatory requirements in complex labs.
• Strong leadership in diverse teams and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, prioritisation and delivery of laboratory services across campuses and disciplines.
• Develop staff capability, manage workload and performance, and provide high-level advice.
• Drive safety, compliance and resource optimization for teaching and service outcomes.
• Collaborate across Biomedicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Science.

Skills

Leadership

Management experience

Safety and compliance

Risk management

Strategic planning

Staff development

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Job description

Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Preclinical 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 biomedicine, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacy, medical laboratory science and/or related technical service environments? This is an opportunity to lead safe, compliant and high-quality laboratory and technical services that directly support student learning and service outcomes across JCU.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Preclinical 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 (Preclinical Sciences), you will lead the planning, prioritisation and delivery of laboratory and technical services across multiple campuses and discipline areas, including Biomedicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science and other Health Sciences. You will ensure services are delivered safely, consistently and to agreed standards, timeframes and stakeholder expectations, while optimising specialist laboratories, equipment and other resources to support high-quality student learning 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 bring qualifications and proven leadership experience gained in complex biological laboratories, health, clinical, or similar technical service environments. 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 complex biomedicine, microbiology, molecular, medical laboratory science or related technical environments, with a demonstrated ability to lead operational service delivery across diverse scientific and health disciplines.
• 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 operations, including managing physical containment facilities, specialised equipment, analytical instrumentation and associated technical services, to support effective teaching and service outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience leading safety and compliance within complex laboratory environments, with comprehensive knowledge of applicable WHS requirements, risk management, biosafety, chemical safety and dangerous goods, Scheduled Medicines and Poisons, Australian Laboratory Standards, and related regulatory compliance.
• 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

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

Applications close Wednesday, 04 November 2026 at11:55pm.

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.