Mass Standards Calibration Scientist

Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR); Sydney; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Career development opportunities

Training and supervision

Job summary

National Measurement Institute (NMI) is hiring an early‑career scientist or engineer to develop specialist capability in mass and density measurement. You will receive structured training and work under experienced scientists and engineers on nationally significant calibration services.

You will contribute to precision measurement, laboratory operations and quality systems while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across the department.

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in physics, engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent laboratory experience.
• Experience with laboratory instrumentation, automation, programming or data acquisition systems will be highly regarded.
• Early-career scientist or engineer with curiosity, practicality and motivation to build specialist expertise in mass and density metrology.
• Structured training, supervision and support will be provided as you develop capability.

Responsibilities

• Deliver timely, high‑quality calibrations of weights, balances and hydrometers, and measurements of density and surface tension.
• Plan and manage calibration workflows, liaise with clients and resolve routine issues to meet service agreements.
• Analyse measurement data, calculate uncertainty, and prepare technical records and calibration documentation.
• Monitor equipment status, arrange calibrations and maintenance, and keep lab records accurate.
• Apply ISO/IEC 17025 quality system and contribute to method documentation and improvements.
• Investigate issues, diagnose faults, and implement practical solutions within delegated authority.
• Contribute to design and validation of new standard facilities and automated calibration systems.

Skills

Technical judgement

Attention to detail

Curiosity and learning

Independent work

Team collaboration

Laboratory operations

Quality & safety

Education

Physics or Engineering degree

Tools

Python

VBA

LabVIEW

Job description

About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology.

We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people. If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future. Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

We are the Australian Government’s national authority on measurement. At the National Measurement Institute (NMI), we empower innovation and protect trust in Australian industry and society through world-class measurement science. Join a team where your expertise drives national impact, your curiosity is nurtured, and the work you do creates trusted measurement for a fair, safe, healthy and competitive Australia. Our employees enjoy career development opportunities, flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to shape Australia’s economic future through world-class measurement science. At NMI, precision meets purpose.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and impactful workplace by hiring people who share our values and bring integrity, collaboration and innovation to everything they do.

The Physical Metrology Branch develops, maintains and disseminates Australia’s peak physical measurement standards. It provides traceability assurance so measurements made in Australia are accepted internationally. Branch staff deliver calibration and other measurement services, contribute to international measurement forums and share expertise with Australian and international stakeholders.

The Mass and Density Standards team maintains Australia’s primary standards and deliver the nation’s highest‑level calibration services from milligrams to tonnes. Its work supports calibration and testing laboratories and sectors including advanced manufacturing, biomedical, defence and aerospace. The team operates within an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited quality system, develops and validates primary standards and automated calibration systems, and is advancing a new density measurement facility and research into an electrostatic force balance for improved sub‑milligram measurement.

The opportunity

Start or build your scientific or engineering career at Australia’s national measurement authority. With structured training and support from experienced scientists and engineers, you will develop specialist capability in precision mass and density measurement while contributing to nationally significant calibration services and Australia’s primary measurement standards.

What’s in it for you?

Join a community of professionals committed to technical measurement excellence and cutting‑edge research. We invest in advanced facilities, foster collaboration with leading institutions and support innovation. You will work with people who have diverse skill sets including scientists, engineers, policy specialists and regulatory professionals. This role offers an early‑career scientist or engineer a strong technical foundation in measurement science. You will receive practical training and develop valuable, transferable skills in complex measurement systems, instrumentation, data acquisition, measurement uncertainty and laboratory quality systems. As part of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, employees at NMI are covered by an enterprise agreement and benefits include:

• Parental leave
• a vacation care subsidy
• $235 annual healthy lifestyle subsidy
• access to study assistance
• access to Employee Assistance Program - health, wellbeing, counselling and support when needed

Our ideal candidate

We are seeking an early‑career scientist or engineer who is curious, practical and motivated to build specialist expertise in mass and density metrology. The role may also suit a laboratory technician or metrologist with relevant experience. You do not need prior expertise in mass and density measurement. Structured training, supervision and support will be provided as you develop capability and independence.

You will:

• Demonstrate sound technical judgement, strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high‑quality work.
• Show initiative, curiosity and a willingness to learn and develop specialist skills in mass measurement and laboratory operations.
• Be comfortable working in a structured laboratory environment and applying quality, safety and accreditation requirements.
• Analyse technical information and data to solve problems, investigate issues and support evidence‑based decisions.
• Take responsibility for delivering quality outcomes and maintaining the integrity of your work.
• Build productive working relationships and communicate technical information effectively.
• Work effectively both independent and as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Hold a tertiary qualification in physics, engineering or a related discipline, or have equivalent relevant laboratory experience.
• Experience with laboratory instrumentation, automation, programming or data acquisition systems such as Python, VBA or LabVIEW will be highly regarded.
• We are looking for individuals who bring personal integrity and a sense of purpose, and who embody NMI's values of being Inclusive, Innovative, Accountable, Adaptive, Influential and Strategic.

Our department has a commitment to inclusion and diversity, with an ambition of being the best possible place to work. This reflects the importance we place on our people and on creating a workplace culture where each and every one of us is valued and respected for our contribution. Our ideal candidate adds to this culture and our workplace in their own way.

Responsibilities

Following training and working under limited direction within established laboratory, quality and safety frameworks, you will apply and continue to develop your professional and technical expertise to:

• Deliver timely, high‑quality calibrations of weights, balances and hydrometers, and measurements of liquid and solid density and surface tension, using methods that support internationally recognised levels of accuracy.
• Plan and manage assigned calibration workflows, liaise with clients and resolve routine technical or scheduling issues to meet service agreements.
• Analyse measurement data, calculate and propagate uncertainty, interpret results and prepare clear technical records, reports and calibration documentation.
• Monitor equipment status, arrange calibrations and maintenance, and keep laboratory records accurate and current.
• Apply the ISO/IEC 17025 quality system and contribute to method documentation, validation, corrective action and continuous improvement.
• Investigate technical issues, diagnose equipment or process faults, and recommend and implement practical solutions within delegated authority.
• Contribute to the design, development and validation of new standard facilities, automated calibration systems and improvements to existing measurement systems.
• Contribute technical knowledge to team research and development activities, share information and adapt priorities to meet evolving client and business needs.

Opportunities for growth

NMI values continuous learning and is committed to supporting staff to reach their full potential. In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Gain hands‑on experience in a highly specialised and nationally significant area of measurement science, developing expertise in mass and density metrology through the calibration of weights, balances and hydrometers, and the measurement of liquid and solid density and surface tension.
• Build expertise in measurement uncertainty, traceability and quality systems within an ISO 17025‑accredited laboratory.
• Apply your science or engineering skills to solve real‑world measurement challenges across a range of industries.
• Collaborate with experienced scientists, engineers and metrologists on research and capability development projects that support Australia's national measurement infrastructure.