Senior Scientist Microbiology

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

Senior Scientist Microbiology

Requisition Number: 1365

Salary Range: $112,043.37 - $120,402.98 per annum

Position Type: Full-Time Permanent

Location: MacNamara Street, Cairns

Application Close Date: Wednesday, 4 November 2026 at 11.30pm AEST

Are you a microbiology expert looking to make a lasting impact through leadership and innovation? We are seeking a Senior Scientist Microbiology to join our Laboratory Services Unit.

What You’ll Be Doing:

As the Senior Scientist Microbiology, you will be responsible for leading the Microbiology Section, overseeing staff, workflows, quality systems, and technical operations to ensure the delivery of accurate, timely, and high-quality microbiological testing services. You will provide strategic and technical leadership across microbiology operations while contributing to laboratory-wide planning, continuous improvement initiatives, accreditation activities, and organisational objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Actively contribute to laboratory leadership, planning, quality management and strategic improvement initiatives as a member of the Laboratory Senior Leadership Team.
• Supervise and manage the staff of the Microbiology Section, including leave management, training, competency assessment and operational support.
• Lead and coordinate routine and non-routine microbiological testing programs to meet operational objectives, customer requirements and laboratory performance targets.
• Provide specialist technical advice, data interpretation and professional judgement for internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure the quality and integrity of analytical results through review of quality control data, proficiency testing performance, trends and method performance.
• Identify, evaluate and implement improvements to laboratory methods, workflows, quality systems and customer service outcomes.
• Coordinate the calibration, servicing and maintenance of Microbiology Section instrumentation.

What We are Looking For:

• Degree qualification in a science discipline relevant to the position.
• Demonstrated experience in microbiology analysis of water, wastewater and solids. Including a detailed knowledge of relevant guidelines for drinking water and wastewater licence requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in the development and validation of microbiology testing methodologies Comprehensive knowledge of QA/QC systems applicable to a NATA accredited laboratory.
• Demonstrated high level time management skills and the ability to prioritise and organise the workload of a Laboratory unit to achieve efficient high quality outcomes.
• Knowledge of computing as related to laboratory operations particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and Laboratory Information Management Systems.
• Previous experience and proven aptitude for the supervision and training of scientific and technical staff in a laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated high-level written and oral communication skills to develop and maintain a positive relationship with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven willingness and ability to promote a team approach to the achievement of customer focussed goals.

Some benefits we offer:

• Achieve work / life balance with flexible working arrangements
• Fitness Passport - subsidised health and well-being memberships (gym/swimming pool)
• Recharge with up to 5 weeks annual leave
• Up to 3 weeks personal leave
• Cherish family time with up to 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Grow personally and professionally with learning and development opportunities
• Salary sacrifice opportunities
• Relocation assistance may be available for preferred candidates.

We are committed to:

• Fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment
• Embracing innovation and continuous improvement
• Cultivating a culture of professional growth and support

Now we want to hear about YOU!