Senior Microbiology Scientist — Lead Lab Innovation

Cairns Regional Council; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 112,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Fitness passport

5 weeks annual leave

3 weeks personal leave

Parental leave up to 14 weeks

Learning & development opportunities

Salary sacrifice opportunities

Relocation assistance may be available

Job summary

Cairns Regional Council is seeking a Senior Scientist Microbiology to lead the Microbiology Section of the Laboratory Services Unit. You will supervise staff, manage workflows, uphold quality systems and provide strategic leadership for microbiology operations in Cairns.

You will drive accreditation activities and continuous improvement, coordinate instrument maintenance, and ensure timely, accurate testing results for water, wastewater and solids.

Qualifications

• Degree qualification in a science discipline relevant to the position.
• Experience in microbiology analysis of water, wastewater and solids; knowledge of drinking water and wastewater licence requirements.
• Experience in development and validation of microbiology testing methodologies; knowledge of QA/QC in a NATA accredited lab.
• Strong time management to prioritise and organise a laboratory unit.
• Computing for lab operations; Word, Excel and LIMS.
• Experience supervising scientific/technical staff in a lab environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication for diverse stakeholders.
• Team-oriented approach to customer-focused goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Microbiology Section and oversee staff, workflows and quality systems.
• Provide strategic and technical leadership across microbiology operations.
• Support accreditation activities and laboratory-wide planning and improvements.
• Coordinate calibration, servicing and maintenance of Microbiology instrumentation.
• Ensure timely, accurate and high-quality microbiological testing services.

Skills

Leadership & supervision

Quality systems

QA/QC knowledge

Time management

Stakeholder communication

Data interpretation

Word & Excel

Education

Science degree

Tools

LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems)

Job description

Cairns Regional Council is seeking a Senior Scientist Microbiology to lead the Microbiology Section of the Laboratory Services Unit. You will supervise staff, manage workflows, uphold quality systems and provide strategic leadership for microbiology operations in Cairns.

You will drive accreditation activities and continuous improvement, coordinate instrument maintenance, and ensure timely, accurate testing results for water, wastewater and solids.