Technical Officer

UNSW; Sydney; On-site; AUD 108,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

UNSW’s BEES group seeks a Technical Officer to support teaching and research laboratories with high-quality technical assistance. You will help manage lab activities, ensure WHS compliance and supervise casual staff on site.

The role offers autonomy within a collaborative team focused on safety and continuous improvement. You will oversee equipment preparation, fieldwork logistics, and coordination with academic staff to align facilities with teaching and research needs.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Geosciences or Biological Sciences.
• Experience in teaching/research laboratory environments.
• Knowledge of workplace health and safety practices in labs.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee day-to-day management and scheduling of teaching/research laboratories.
• Provide quality technical support and timely material preparation for practical classes.
• Provide technical and logistical advice to staff and students, including equipment operation and demonstrations.
• Procure teaching materials and manage field collection when needed.
• Maintain safety, access, training, and documentation for lab users.

Skills

Laboratory management

WH&S compliance

Equipment operation

Fieldwork logistics

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in Geosciences or Biological Sciences

Tools

IT lab management systems

Job description

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

This Job is based in Australia

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) examines the natural environment, including life, from the core of the Earth to its upper atmosphere, deep in time through to the present and modelling towards the future. Research within BEES is clustered within four general thematic areas: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Climate Science; Environmental Change, Sustainability and Resources; Paleoenvironments and Earth History.

The Technical Officer supports the efficient operation of teaching and research laboratories in the School, by providing high quality professional and technical support. The role involves managing laboratory activities, ensuring compliance with WHS standards, and contributing to continuous improvement. Working with a high degree of autonomy, the Technical Officer supports undergraduate courses, coordinates lab operations, and provides on site supervision of casual staff as needed. With a strong focus on Workplace Health and Safety, the Technical Officer works with the team to ensure compliance with WHS requirements, managing WHS activities and implementing policies and procedures.

About The Role

• Level 6 - $108K - $115K plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Continuing
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

Specific Responsibilities For This Role Include

• Plan for and oversee day-to-day management and scheduling of teaching and/or research laboratories and activities to facilitate the delivery of laboratory teaching and/or research.
• Provide quality technical support to the shared research and/or teaching laboratories, ensuring the timely preparation and turnaround of equipment and learning materials (physical and/or online) for practical classes.
• Provide authoritative technical and logistical advice to staff and students, including demonstration of techniques, operation of equipment, and responding to technical requests in a timely and courteous manner.
• Procure research and teaching materials, including field collection of materials.
• Manage the safe and efficient use of research equipment and infrastructure, ensuring appropriate access and induction, training of students and staff, troubleshooting, routine maintenance, repair, and documentation.
• Develop and implement processes to improve the coordination of teaching and/or research activities to facilitate the delivery of laboratory teaching and/or research.
• Support undergraduate fieldwork, by organising logistics such as accommodation, transport and food, and participate in fieldwork activities as required.
• Collaborate with academic staff to develop and enhance teaching (e.g. lab practicals, field trips) and/or research methods within the School, including laboratory teaching and/or research, equipment, infrastructure, services, and training.
• Collaborate with academic staff and laboratory users to ensure laboratory services align with teaching and research needs.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by evaluating existing equipment, infrastructure, service delivery and training processes, and identify opportunities for improvement and implement changes in consultation with the Technical Laboratory Manager and relevant stakeholders.
• Manage and maintain the following facilities and systems in BEES (where appropriate): o Vehicle fleet, include trailers, cold storage facilities, and inventory systems.
• Teaching microscopes.
• Rock storage and operating the rock crushing facilities.
• Glasshouse, John T. Waterhouse Herbarium.
• Organise procurement, purchasing, asset management, stock control and safe disposal of equipment and laboratory consumables.
• Work closely with the BEES HSE Advisor to address WHS issues including risk assessment; development and implementation of Safe Work Procedures and other safety documents; monitoring compliance of WHS practices and corrective actions; ensuring high standards of laboratory work practices are maintained.
• Provide advice and training on WHS issues, ensuring compliance of users prior to granting laboratory access, and ongoing supervision and monitoring of staff, students and visitors as required.
• Perform other appropriate duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Technical Laboratory Manager.
• Act as the first aid officer and undertake relevant training and refreshers as required. Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the psychosocial or physical health and safety of yourself or others.

About The Successful Applicant

(Selection Criteria)

To Be Successful In This Role You Will Have

• A relevant tertiary qualification and subsequent experience in a similar role or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training and/or experience.
• Extensive understanding of Geosciences and/or Biological Sciences and/or experience working in a teaching and/or research laboratory.
• Knowledge of workplace health and safety and experience implementing safety processes in a laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating and participating in fieldwork activities in a similar discipline.
• Ability to manage fieldwork logistics, including accommodation, transport, food and equipment preparation.
• Proficiency in operating, maintaining, and managing scientific equipment.
• Experience with IT based laboratory management systems and analysing, investigating and troubleshooting technical issues.
• Experience in identifying process improvement and implementing innovative solutions.
• Effective record keeping skills (both paper and electronic), including the ability to work accurately, with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills including the ability to prioritise work effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written) to effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to apply, interpret, advise on the development of policies, systems, procedures and guidelines.
• Ability to handle commercially sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and contribute positively to the effective working of a team.
• A current first aid certificate or a willingness to obtain one to undertake first‑aid officer duties.
• A valid and current driver’s licence and an ability or willingness to learn to drive vehicles with trailers and minibuses.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

For informal queries, please see the below contact details.

Contact

Frank Hemmings

E: [e-mail]

Applications close: October 18th, 2026

Find Out More About Working At UNSW At Www.unsw.edu.au

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.