Technical Officer

UNSW; Sydney; On-site; AUD 92,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

UNSW is seeking a Technical Officer in Sydney to provide high-level technical support for teaching and research laboratories. You will work with academic staff, lab demonstrators and students to ensure smooth operation, safety compliance and accurate record-keeping.

The role includes preparing for practical classes, equipment maintenance, inventory control and training staff and students in procedures and safety practices.

Qualifications

• Completion of a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.
• Extensive understanding of the discipline and/or experience working in a teaching laboratory.
• Demonstrated initiative, high self-motivation and ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to apply policies in a work environment.
• Strong organisational, communication and administrative skills.
• Effective record keeping with attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a team, meet deadlines and prioritise.
• Strong interpersonal skills with diverse people.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).
• Knowledge of UNSW aims, values, policies and guidelines.
• Understanding of health & safety responsibilities and training.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the smooth and efficient running of teaching and/or research laboratories through quality technical support.
• Provide technical assistance to staff and students, demonstrations of techniques and operation of equipment.
• Provide basic induction, instrument training and troubleshooting for staff and students.
• Source and maintain equipment, instruments or chemicals and consumables; liaise with suppliers for repairs.
• Maintain laboratory documentation including safety records and equipment logs.
• Manage laboratory inventories and ensure safe, correctly labelled storage; audit records.
• Identify and address problems within the laboratory and escalate as needed.
• Schedule usage of laboratory equipment and training requirements.
• Implement safety policies and university code of conduct and values.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication

Administrative skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Tertiary qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This Job is based in Australia

• 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

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

The School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences (BABS) teaches undergraduates, mentors postgraduate research students and conducts research in the disciplines of biotechnology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, environmental microbiology, medical microbiology and immunology.

The Technical Officer will work closely with academic staff, laboratory demonstrators and students to provide high level quality technical support in teaching and research laboratories.

About The Role

• $92K - $104K plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Continuing
• Full time (35 hours per week)

Specific Responsibilities For This Role Include

• Contribute to the smooth and efficient running of teaching and/or research laboratories through the provision of quality technical support including the timely preparation for and turnaround of practical classes and/or labs.
• Provide technical assistance to staff and students, such as demonstration of common techniques and the operation of equipment and respond efficiently and courteously to requests.
• Provide basic induction, instrument training and troubleshooting for staff and students.
• Source and maintain equipment, instruments or chemicals and consumables required for laboratory teaching and/or research taking careful consideration of cost and availability. Liaise with suppliers to rectify faults and organise repairs.
• Accurately prepare and maintain laboratory documentation, including safety records, instrument/equipment/plant records including identifying technical faults.
• Manage laboratory inventories and ensure that all equipment/chemicals are stored safely and are correctly labelled. Audit inventory to validate records.
• Identify and address any problems within the laboratory and elevate as appropriate.
• Schedule usage of laboratory equipment and instrumentation including internal booking requirements, access requirements and training requirements.
• Implement and enforce university policy and procedures to ensure safety compliance in the laboratory. Identify hazards and effectively manage risk.
• 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

• Completion of a relevant tertiary qualification or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training and/or experience.
• Extensive understanding of the relevant discipline and/or experience working in a teaching laboratory.
• Demonstrated initiative, a high level of self-motivation and ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to apply policies in a work environment.
• Strong organisational, communication and administrative skills.
• Effective record keeping skills (both paper and electronic), including the ability to work accurately, with strong attention to detail.
• An ability to work as part of a team, to meet deadlines and to prioritise competing demands.
• High level of interpersonal skills and demonstrated competence in dealing with a wide range of people.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
• 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.

Contact

Jason Sercombe

E: [e-mail]

Applications close: October 29th, 2026

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

UNSW aspires to be the exemplar Australian university and employer of choice for people from diverse backgrounds. UNSW aims to ensure equality in recruitment, development, retention and promotion of staff and that no-one is disadvantaged on the basis of their gender, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or identity or Indigenous heritage. We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria to apply.

UNSW partners with Australia’s leading diversity organisations, networks, and campaigns. Please refer to UNSW’s diversity offerings for further information on our flexible work and leave options, and support for carers (childcare, parent rooms, parental leave).