Senior Technical Officer

The University of Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 117,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sydney is seeking a Senior Technical Officer to support the ACRF Single-Cell Cancer Proteomics Laboratory within SydneyMS. You will oversee cutting-edge proteomics platforms and provide expert technical services to researchers and external clients.

You will train users, manage instrumentation, and contribute to safe, high-quality outcomes while ensuring compliance with University requirements and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting LCMS research within proteomics, metabolomics, or lipidomics.
• Proven ability to operate, troubleshoot, optimise, and maintain MS and LC instrumentation.
• Experience in a multi-user lab environment with vendor liaison and equipment coordination.
• Ability to deliver specialised technical training and support to researchers and staff.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills with multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and stakeholder relationship-building.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent.
• Experience supporting LCMS for single-cell or spatial omics analyses.
• Knowledge of optical microscopy, including laser capture microdissection.
• Knowledge of cell sorting and flow cytometry.
• Knowledge of data analysis in R.
• PhD heavily based on MS-based omics analysis.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical advice and undertake experiments with researchers and staff.
• Oversee operation, optimisation and maintenance of lab instrumentation.
• Support single-cell proteomics workflows across a multi-user facility.
• Train researchers, students, staff and visitors in lab equipment and techniques.
• Perform risk assessments and develop safe work procedures.
• Manage information requests, quotations and support for fee-for-service activities.
• Analyse and interpret data and contribute to reports and documentation.
• Coach and mentor users to maintain a collaborative lab environment.
• Ensure WHS compliance and maintain a safe lab environment.

Skills

LCMS research

Mass spectrometry operation

Multi-user lab coordination

Technical training

Data analysis in R

Education

PhD in biomedical omics

Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline

Tools

Orbitrap Astral Zoom

LMD7 microscope

cellenONE single cell sorter

R (data analysis)

Job description

4 – Year full time, fixed term opportunity

Opportunity to support world-leading single-cell proteomics research infrastructure

Base Salary $117,133 - $127,610 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

Sydney Mass Spectrometry (SydneyMS) is a core research facility within the DVC Research Portfolio, providing a suite of over 20 state-of-the-art mass spectrometers. SydneyMS supports research with global impact in the areas of metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics, and mass spectrometry imaging. The facility provides best in class services to internal and external clients to the University, including industry, and across a wide range of disciplines in medical and life sciences.

As the Senior Technical Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the ACRF Single-Cell Cancer Proteomics Laboratory. The laboratory has been equipped with a comprehensive set of equipment for single cell analysis including a LMD7 microscope, a cellenONE single cell sorter, and an Orbitrap Astral Zoom mass spectrometer. You will be providing specialist technical expertise, operational oversight and advanced scientific support across these cutting-edge single-cell proteomics platforms.

Working within a collaborative research environment, you will oversee laboratory operations, undertake experimental work, support research projects, train users and researchers, and maintain sophisticated instrumentation. You will contribute to the delivery of high-quality research outcomes while ensuring laboratory activities are conducted safely, efficiently and in accordance with University requirements.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• provide expert technical advice and undertake experiments in collaboration with researchers and technical staff
• oversee the operation, optimisation and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation and equipment
• support single-cell proteomics and related research workflows across a multi-user facility
• train researchers, students, staff and visitors in the safe and effective use of laboratory equipment and techniques
• perform risk assessments and develop safe work and maintenance procedures for laboratory operations
• manage technical information requests, quotations and support for fee-for-service and contract research activities
• analyse and interpret experimental data and contribute to scientific reporting and technical documentation
• coach and mentor users while contributing to a collaborative and high-performing laboratory environment
• ensure compliance with work health and safety requirements and maintain a clean, safe laboratory environment

About you

Required:

• demonstrated experience supporting or undertaking LCMS research within proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics
• proven experience operating, troubleshooting, optimising and maintaining mass spectrometry and/or liquid chromatography instrumentation, particularly nanoflow LCs and orbitrap mass spectrometers within life or medical sciences research settings
• experience working within a multi-user laboratory environment, including vendor liaison and equipment coordination
• demonstrated ability to deliver specialised technical training and support to other researchers, users and staff
• strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build effective stakeholder relationships
• a bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• demonstrated experience supporting or undertaking LCMS research within proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, for single-cell and/or spatial omics analysis
• knowledge and practical experience in optical light microscopy, especially in the area of laser capture microdissection
• knowledge and practical experience in cell sorting and flow cytometry
• knowledge and practical experience in data analysis and data visualisation, especially in the use of R
• a PhD in biomedical research that was heavily based on mass spectrometry-based Omics analysis

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.