Research Projects Officer - ACDP Fish Diseases Laboratory

Acknowledgement of Country 

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation. 

Role highlights

• Unique role contributing to both diagnostic and research capability
• Immerse yourself in an inclusive culture at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness
• Join CSIRO - Australia's Premier Science and Technology Research Organisation

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge. 

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity 

CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), formerly the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), our national biocontainment research facility, is a vital part of Australia’s biosecurity infrastructure. Our team works closely with researchers and animal and human health agencies to protect Australia’s multi-billion-dollar livestock and aquaculture industries and the general public from emerging infectious disease threats. 

As a Research Project Officer at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), you will work in the ACDP Fish Diseases Laboratory (AFDL) within the Diagnosis, Surveillance and Response (DSR) program. Reporting to the Aquatic Diagnostic Capability Team Leader, you will be a part of a group that specialises in the diagnosis and research of diseases of aquatic animals (finfish, molluscs and crustaceans) with an emphasis on exotic and newly emerging diseases. In this key role, you will work in a microbiologically secure laboratory (PC2 and PC3) to undertake diagnostic testing and contribute to a diverse range of research projects, as part of a multi-disciplinary team. 

This role is based onsite at Geelong with some flexibility to work from home when there are fewer laboratory commitments. On further training in this role, you may be part of a pre-scheduled seven-day roster to be on-call for out of hours or weekend diagnostic testing requirements. Please expect limited overtime opportunities.

The appointee must be able to meet ACDP microbiological security and security assessment requirements as detailed in the position description.

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Contribute to laboratory work, analysis, and reporting. 
• Schedule and complete tasks relating to AFDL’s diagnostic and research activities.
• Support and deliver quality assured diagnostic testing services (NATA/ISO 17025) for a broad range of aquatic pathogens.
• Contribute to quality assurance requirements, including reporting tests, maintaining up-to-date and accurate test records, and proficiency testing.
• Assist the Team Leaders and Group Leaders by providing oral and written advice upon request.
• Provide general laboratory support for housekeeping and maintenance activities.

Role particulars

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

Salary: AU$73K – AU$93K per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite/Full-time 

Reference: 100240

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• Relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a relevant field such as marine science, virology, molecular biology or similar. 
• Experience in molecular biology techniques.
• Experience conducting and coordinating laboratory‐based experiments or tests, with a demonstrated ability to plan and schedule laboratory workflow.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to work on parallel tasks. 

Desirable

• Experience within a quality assured diagnostic testing laboratory (NATA/ISO 17025).
• Experience within a research laboratory. 

For full details about this role, please review the Position Description. 

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 Talent Consultant and let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

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.

Eligibility 

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

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 online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrates your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.  

Applications close 

15 July 2025, 11:00 pm AEST