Senior Technical Advisor (Education, Life and Environmental Sciences)

JCU: James Cook University, Australia; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Superannuation up to 17%

Annual recreation leave

Sick/carers leave

Flexible working options

Study assistance and paid study leave

On‑site childcare

Job summary

James Cook University in Cairns seeks a Senior Technical Advisor to coordinate and deliver high‑quality technical services for practical learning across Education, Life and Environmental Sciences. You will lead on‑the‑job training, safety compliance and campus coordination in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.

The role requires advanced lab experience, strong communication and problem‑solving skills, and a commitment to staff development and safe work practices, with relocation to Cairns

Qualifications

• Advanced technical experience in biological, earth or environmental science labs.
• Experience coordinating lab operations and practical teaching activities.
• Knowledge of WHS requirements, risk management and safe work practices.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver high‑quality technical services to support practical learning and teaching.
• Provide technical leadership and on‑the‑job guidance across disciplines in Cairns.
• Oversee safety, compliance, risk assessments, audits, incidents and training.
• Support service planning, quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Skills

Biological/earth/environment labs

Technical leadership

Safety & WHS

Communication

Training & staff development

Problem solving

Education

C Class Queensland driver's license

First Aid & CPR certification

Working with Children Blue Card

Job description

Senior Technical Advisor (Education, Life and Environmental Sciences)

$99,878 - $110,446 per annum plus up to 17% super

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 technical professional with expertise in biological sciences, laboratory operations or technical service environments? Join JCU in Cairns and play a key role in delivering safe, high-quality practical learning and teaching across Education, Life and Environmental Sciences in Cairns.

We are seeking a capable and experienced Senior Technical Advisor to provide campus coordination, advanced technical advice, hands‑on delivery support of practical learning activities across laboratory and technical service environments.

• Laboratory and Technical Services, Education Division
• Full-time, continuing | 36.25 hours per week
• Successful candidate must be based in Cairns or willing to relocate before commencement
• Based at the Cairns Nguma-bada campus, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and tropical North Queensland
• HEWL 7: $99,878.44 - $110,446.52 per annum plus up to 17% superannuation

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the Senior Technical Advisor (Education, Life and Environmental Sciences), you will coordinate and deliver high-quality technical services supporting practical learning and teaching activities. The portfolio spans practical teaching delivery across Education, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Zoology and Ecology disciplines.

The role also contributes to the effective delivery of Laboratory and Technical Services by the Education, Life and Environmental Sciences team in Cairns, by providing technical leadership and on-the-job guidance, building staff capability and supporting effective local work and campus coordination. You will coordinate key safety and compliance activities, including risk assessments, audits, inspections, incident and hazard reporting, training and safe work procedures, while providing high-level technical and operational advice to support service planning, quality assurance, problem-solving and continuous improvement.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE

You will bring relevant qualifications and advanced technical experience gained in complex biological, earth and/or environmental science laboratories, or similar technical service environments, ideally in a higher education environment.

You will bring a demonstrated ability to train, guide and support others, with a sound understanding of Workplace Health and Safety requirements and experience in risk management and safe work practices. Your strong organisational, problem-solving and communication skills will enable you to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgement and build effective working relationships.

SELECTION CRITERIA

In addition to the Key Requirements for Success outlined in the Role Profile, the successful applicant must have:

• Advanced technical experience within biological, earth and/or environmental science laboratories, or related scientific and technical environments, with demonstrated ability to coordinate and support the safe and effective delivery of practical learning and teaching activities across diverse disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience providing day-to-day technical leadership and operational coordination, including guiding and supporting technical staff, coordinating local work and campus priorities, providing on-the-job training and contributing to staff capability development.
• Significant experience coordinating laboratory and technical operations, including oversight of the operational readiness of specialised laboratories, equipment and instrumentation, and the coordination of facilities, resources and practical activities to support teaching and service requirements.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating safety and compliance activities within laboratory and technical environments, with sound knowledge of WHS requirements, risk management, chemical and biological safety, dangerous goods, scheduled medicines and positions, Australian laboratory standards and related regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate competing technical and operational requirements with advanced communication skills, and strong organisational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to exercise judgement and initiative, provide high-level technical advice, and support consistent service delivery in a complex multidisciplinary environment.
• It is a requirement of this position to hold and maintain a current C Class Queensland driver’s license, First Aid and CPR certification and a Working with Children Blue Card.

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
• 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 Cairns’ campus

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.