Laboratory Diagnostic Technician - bacteriology & serology

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Role highlights

• Support key research and diagnostic work on exotic and infectious animal diseases
• Build and maintain strong relationships and ensure clients are kept up-to-date on progress
• Play an integral role across ACDP’s Diagnosis, Surveillance and Response program

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

The opportunity

The Diagnosis, Surveillance and Response Program at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) seeks to appoint a skilled laboratory diagnostic technician to the bacteriology team for a specified term role. The role will encompass several aspects of diagnostic microbiology and serology, primarily assisting with classical bacteriology, molecular assays, and some serology-based assays such as ELISA, IFAT, and CFTS in the bacteriology team.

As the Lab Diagnostic Technician, you will be responsible for the delivery of outputs across a range of quality-assured laboratory diagnostic services. In particular, the work will include disease surveillance, bacteriology, serology and health certification testing for exotic and infectious diseases of veterinary significance, testing for sterility and freedom from contamination of biological materials intended for veterinary use, and associated laboratory housekeeping activities. 

The appointee will work in the biologically secure laboratories at physical containment level 3 and must meet ACDP's microbiological security and security assessment requirements.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Responsible for supporting and delivering quality assured diagnostic testing services (ISO 17025) for a broad range of bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens and exclusion of emergency animal diseases, routine surveillance and biological samples testing.
• Contribute to quality assurance requirements, including reporting tests, maintaining up-to-date and accurate test records, and proficiency testing.
• Provide general laboratory support for housekeeping and maintenance activities.
• Complete assigned tasks on time while maintaining an awareness of team diagnostic priorities and the flexibility to assist team workflow.
• Assist the Bacteriology Team Leader, Innocuity Technical Manager and Veterinary Investigation Team by providing oral and written advice upon request.
• Work independently or collaboratively with colleagues on assigned activities, including experimental design, implementation and timely completion of work.

Role particulars

Location: Geelong – Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), VIC

Salary: Au$96k - Au$109k plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure:  Specified term of 12 months until 30 June 2026 / Full-time

Reference: 99879

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• A Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree or equivalent relevant work experience in Biological Sciences or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated record of technical competence and achievement in laboratory diagnostic testing requiring skills in microbiology or serology, preferably in animal health.
• An ability to plan and schedule laboratory workflow and address underlying issues of complex and ill-defined problems in a timely and technically sound manner.
• Experience working independently and co-operatively as a member of a larger project team, and forming and maintaining effective and respectful relationships with a range of colleagues and collaborators.
• High-level interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document results and communicate effectively with colleagues and clients to meet project goals and timelines.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to contribute novel ideas and approaches supporting scientific investigations.
• Demonstrated ability to pay close attention to detail in a microbiology laboratory setting.

For full details about this role and the desired selection criteria, please review the Position Description.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens residing in Australia. Appointment to this role is subject to the provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact the Talent Partner mentioned on the PD and let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible working arrangementss

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise that true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications close

8 June 2025, 11:00 pm AEST

We strongly encourage you to apply early, as we will be reviewing applications as they come in. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date if necessary.