Scientific Officer

• Salary package: $88,670 to $100,815 p.a (HEW 5.1-5.4) plus 17% employer's superannuation and annual leave loading (salary commensurate with experience)
• Full-time, 10-month fixed term role until July 2027
• Based on site at Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde)

The Faculty of Science and Engineering is seeking a service focused Scientific Officer to join the Australian Genome Foundry. In this varied and interesting role, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to provide support for biofoundry activities across the full research and service delivery lifecycles to ensure its smooth running and operation.

Reporting to the Business and Operations Manager, you will:

• Maintain specialist biofoundry and standard micro/molecular biology equipment, create equipment operation documentation, and liaise with internal and external providers to ensure timely and cost-efficient maintenance and repair of equipment
• Procure and maintain adequate consumable and chemical inventory levels, and maintain ordering and delivery records
• Contribute to the capture and maintenance of records on University systems, contribute to record keeping in specialist scientific software, and create and maintain process documentation
• Coordinate and provide support for client and grant projects including planning and logistics, resourcing, set-up and pack up, demonstrating techniques, responding to technical questions, ensuring health and safety, and troubleshooting equipment
• Conduct straightforward elements of client and grant projects
• Assist with the conduct of more complex and varied projects, including conducting trials for experiments and providing feedback, advice and input into their development
• Provide inductions, training, expert advice and support to staff, students and other stakeholders for the facilities and a range of specialist equipment
• Assist in the development, implementation, maintenance, and review of WHS in laboratories, ensuring safe work protocols and documentation are maintained
• Contribute to the development of and/or develop, implement, maintain and review processes, procedures, guidelines and documentation relating to operations and laboratory practices
• Foster a positive, supportive and collaborative culture and actively engage with staff and facility users

About You

You will be adaptable, enthusiastic, and well organised. You will enjoy working both independently and as part of a team, keen to learn new skills and to contribute actively to a diverse range of projects. You bring to the team hands-on experience in an experimental laboratory, an enthusiasm for paying close attention to critical details to produce high-quality work, excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills and a commitment to establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with a range of stakeholders.

About Us

Located at Macquarie University and within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the Australian Genome Foundry is a high-throughput strain engineering facility with modular robotic platforms capable of the construction and analysis of synthetic microbial strains using highly automated workflows. The AGF provides research support, expertise and services to the Australian and international research community across four streams: strain design and engineering, high-throughput fermentation, analytical chemistry and flow cytometry.

The AGF has a mixed portfolio of activities including contract, collaborative, applied, and fundamental research, and technology development for industry, government and the research community. We are a rapidly expanding team of approximately 20 staff, including molecular biologists, analytical chemists, flow cytometry specialists, automation engineers, post-doctoral researchers, and operations staff.

To Apply:

To be considered for this position, please apply online and attach your resume and a separate cover letter that outlines how you meet the selection criteria below:

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree and work-related experience or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training and/or experience
• Aptitude and desire to learn new skills
• Proven ability to demonstrate experiments, and equipment and trouble-shoot issues with equipment
• Experience delivering technical support to clients and/or stakeholders in a laboratory environment
• Knowledge and skills in basic molecular biology/microbiology laboratory research
• Experience contributing to the development and/or improvement of experiments, processes, procedures and/or related technical documentation
• Excellent organisational and time management skills including successfully planning, prioritisation, initiating action and follow up
• Professional presentation and excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with team members and a diverse range of stakeholders

Desirable:

• Experience with research lab management
• Specialist knowledge or experience in synthetic biology, working with robotic/automated high-throughput instruments or working in a biofoundry environment

Role Enquiries: Belinda Fabian, AGF Business and Operations Manager at ••••@mq.edu.au.

Applications Close: Thursday 27th of August 2026 at 11:59pm (AEST).

This position will require a criminal history/police check.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering at Macquarie University has a goal to increase the engagement of women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from diverse backgrounds in STEMM roles. Applications are considered holistically, and candidates are encouraged to apply even if their experience does not meet each individual selection criterion.

Pre-Employment Checks

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.

A Place Where You Belong

At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.

Flexible Work

At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage our personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University. See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace. To learn more about our culture and hiring process, explore our Candidate Resource Hub.