Technical Officer

Waikato; Tauranga; Hybrid; NZD 73,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional university leave

Competitive superannuation

Job summary

The University of Waikato is seeking a Technical Officer to support teaching and research in Chemistry and Environmental Sciences at the Tauranga campus. You will join a collaborative team of technicians ensuring laboratories, equipment and facilities operate safely and efficiently.

Your duties include laboratory preparation, equipment maintenance, stock management, and health and safety compliance, while assisting students and staff during lab and fieldwork and maintaining instrumentation.

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in science is required.
• Experience operating and maintaining laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of laboratory health and safety practices, including hazardous substances management.
• Strong organisational, time management and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality technical support underpinning teaching and research across Chemistry and Environmental Science.
• Perform laboratory preparation, equipment maintenance, stock management and technical troubleshooting.
• Ensure health and safety compliance and support students and staff during lab and fieldwork sessions.
• Maintain specialist instrumentation and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the School.

Job description

Support teaching and research in Chemistry and Environmental Sciences as part of a collaborative technical team.

• Contribute to world-leading scientific research
• Join a supportive and innovative Science team
• Additional university leave + competitive superannuation

Ngā kōrero mō te tūranga – About the role

As a Technical Officer within Te Aka Mātuatua School of Science, you’ll provide high-quality technical support that underpins teaching and research activities across Chemistry and Environmental Science programmes. Working as part of a collaborative team of technicians, you’ll help ensure laboratories, equipment, and specialist facilities operate safely, efficiently, and effectively.

You’ll support teaching laboratories and research activities through laboratory preparation, equipment maintenance, stock management, technical troubleshooting, and health and safety compliance. The role also includes supporting students and staff during laboratory and fieldwork sessions, maintaining specialist instrumentation, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across the School.

Salary will be in the range of $73,235 to $87,027 per year based on skills, knowledge and experience brought to the position. This is a full-time role (37.5 hours a week), based at our Tauranga Campus.

Ko wai koe? – Who are you?

You’ll hold a relevant tertiary qualification in science and bring strong technical and laboratory skills, ideally gained within a tertiary, research, or scientific environment. You’ll have experience operating and maintaining laboratory equipment and an understanding of laboratory health and safety practices, including hazardous substances management.

You’ll be highly organised, detail-focused, and capable of managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Experience with analytical instrumentation, fieldwork and freshwater and marine sampling techniques would be advantageous.

Most importantly, you’ll be proactive, service-focused, and committed to supporting excellent teaching, research, and student experiences.

Ko wai mātou? – Who are we?

The Division of STEM, The Division of Science, Engineering and Computing comprises the Schools of Te Aka Mātuatua Science, Te Kura Mata-Ao Engineering and Au Reikura Computing and Mathematical Sciences. The Division also has several research units, including the Environmental Research Institute and commercial/equipment units which embody staff and research activities.

Te Aka Mātuatua School of Science is a research-intensive school with teaching and research activities spanning a broad range of science disciplines. We are passionate about the difference science can make to the biggest challenges facing Aotearoa and the world.

He aha ngā take me tono mai ai koe? – Why should you apply for this position?

We want you to be part of our success! Our university stands proudly on the world stage as a provider of future-focused, international education and an active player in global research. Our rankings reflect these strengths. Working with us means you’ll enjoy a satisfying work environment with many benefits.

The University of Waikato is distinctive for the diversity of its staff and students and encourages applicants with the relevant capabilities from all backgrounds to apply. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in NZ in accordance with the NZ Immigration regulations which can be found here.

Ko te Tangata – For the People

The University of Waikato prides itself on the quality of its engagement with the communities that it serves, the provision of a world-class education and the national and international impact of its research. Our policies are guided by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and equal opportunity for all.

E herea ana te Whare Wānanga ki te kaupapa kia whakaratohia te mea angitū ōrite ki ngā tāngata katoa.

Applications Close on 8th November 2026

Requisition number: 1003961