Analytical Research Technician/Senior Research Analyst (QAEHS)

• Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences

• HEW Level 5 or 6

• Full time, fixed-term position through to 31 December 2024

• Closing date Wednesday 5 April 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (R-24055)

About This Opportunity 

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and highly motivated Analytical Research Technician (HEW 5) or Senior Research Analyst (HEW 6) to join our dedicated research team at Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS).

Located within our premier research precinct PACE in Woolloongabba, QAEHS is a multidisciplinary research Centre committed to world-class research across the environmental health sciences including environmental toxicology, epidemiology, microbiology, health risk assessment and communication, and state-of-the art monitoring and analytical technologies to quantify emerging environmental health risks.

In this role, you will apply your subject matter expertise and advanced knowledge of analytical and/or organic chemistry to support QAEHS’ research activities and related consultancy projects through the provision of analytical, technical and administrative support.

This position will be offered at either HEW 5 or HEW 6 depending on the successful candidates’ qualifications, skills and experience.

At HEW 5, key responsibilities will include: 

• Analyse samples using Gas and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS, LC-MS), including preparation and maintenance of native and labelled calibration standards and stock solutions, mobile phases, data integration and reporting. Similarly, operate and maintain other analytical instruments within the laboratory, with regard to sample analysis.

• Applies the application of advanced or specialist or technical research skills or processes, including contributing to method development for new analytical methods and laboratory sample extraction procedures.

• Undertakes routine maintenance and operation of facilities and LC-MS and/or GC-MS instrumentation to facilitate research needs and contribute to any other maintenance of all mass spectrometry instruments.

• Maintain accurate records of experiments or technical activities and results/outcomes.

• Contributes to the safe and efficient operation of research equipment, infrastructure, methodologies and protocols.

• Support Workplace Health and Safety (WHS), Biosecurity and Drugs and Poisons practices within the laboratory.

• Contributes to the management of appropriately filing and storing data and results files along the chain of custody of analysis and reporting.

• Assists with routine team administration including compiling standard operating procedures (SOPs) for routine analytical and laboratory tasks, preparing reports, graphs, figures and presentations on research outcomes at different stages of the research cycle outcomes.

• Order and maintain analytical standards, columns and other consumables for the analytical instruments.

• Assist with training of other staff and research students.

At HEW 6, key responsibilities will include:

• Analyse samples using Gas and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS, LC-MS and GC-HRMS), including preparation and maintenance of calibration standards, mobile phases, data integration and reporting. Similarly, operate and maintain other analytical instruments within the laboratory, with regard to sample analysis. Undertake routine and higher-level maintenance and running of LC-MS and/or GC-MS instrumentation to facilitate research needs.

• Applies specialist technical skills or knowledge to research activities. 

• Under broad direction, sets up, monitors and demonstrates standard experiments and instrument use including maintaining and evaluating ongoing quality control measures in each batch of analysis and reporting of QAQC data.

• Maintain accurate records of experiments or technical activities and results/outcomes.

• Processing of data post acquisition, and generating processing methods (macros, computer programming); further calculations and interpretation for reporting.

• Contributes to development and optimisation of workflows for suspect and non-target screening using LC-QToF and GC-Orbitrap instrumentation.

• Ensures a high standard of research housekeeping, waste disposal, sample storage and chemical/specimen/sample inventory management.

• Assists with developing a proactive safety culture and implement continuous improvement.

• Performs standard maintenance of instruments/equipment to ensure optimal performance.

• Contributes to research outputs, joint preparation and authorship of reports.

• Supports the development of more junior research staff, scientists, and technicians.

This role is subject to The University’s Code of Conduct .  

About You  

As an Analytical Research Technician (HEW 5) you will possess:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in the areas of analytical chemistry and/or organic chemistry; or completion of a Diploma with relevant work experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

• Demonstrated experience or understanding of the application of laboratory analytical instruments for trace analysis, including LC and/or GC instrumentation.

• Excellent practical research skills and ability to accurately interpret and follow methods and protocols (found in research papers, standard operating procedures, Australian guidelines etc.).

• Experience with, or ability to rapidly acquire expertise in, analysis and quantification of organic chemicals in complex matrices for a wide variety of compounds, particularly environmental contaminants.

• Ability to work independently on routine procedures, and able to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines, as well work collaboratively with colleagues.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders while upholding the qualities of openness, respectfulness and integrity.

• Previous experience in a similar role would be advantageous.

As a Senior Research Analyst (HEW 6) you will possess:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in the areas of analytical and/or organic chemistry with subsequent experience in coordinating activities or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

• Demonstrated research-relevant knowledge and skills with expertise in analysis and quantification of organic chemicals in complex matrices for a wide variety of compounds, particularly environmental contaminants.

• Expertise in the application of laboratory analytical instruments for trace analysis, including LC and/or GC instrumentation.

• Significant experience of working with vendor integration software (e.g. TraceFinder; Multiquant) as well as Microsoft Office Suite applications.

• Advanced technical capabilities in accurately interpreting and following methods and protocols (found in research papers, standard operating procedures, Australian guidelines etc.).

• High quality data analysis and interpretation, report writing, and database management.

• Relevant experience in an analytical and/or organic chemistry role preferably in a research environment or the capability to quickly acquire this knowledge and apply in the workplace.

• Well-developed problem-solving skills, with an ability to forward plan, prioritise tasks to meet deadlines and work with a high level of adaptability, both independently and as part of a team.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to produce clear, succinct documentation.

• The ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of stakeholders in a research environment.

What We Can Offer 

This is a full-time (1FTE), fixed term position through to 31 December 2024 at HEW Level 5 or 6.

At HEW Level 5, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $74,378 to $ 82,842 plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range $87,023 to $96,926 per annum. 

At HEW Level 6, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $84,871 to $91,158 plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range $99,300 to $106,655.91 per annum. 

For further information about UQ’s benefits, please visit Why Work at UQ and review The University of Queensland's Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2018 - 2021 . 

 
Questions? 

To discuss this role please contact Dr Timothy Reeks (Analytical Chemist, QAEHS) via email at [email protected] .  

For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject line. 
 

Want to Apply? 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter addressing the applicable ‘About You’ section. Applicants should clearly state which position/HEW level they are applying for within their cover letter.

• Resume 

Please note that you will be asked to add all documents into the one upload box labelled ‘resume’, which is step one of the application form.  

Other Information 

Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.  

Mandatory Immunisations: It is a condition of employment for this role that you will be required to provide evidence of immunisation against certain vaccine preventable diseases.

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion .  We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in our broader community, whether that be  gender identity ,  LGBTQIA+ ,  cultural and/or linguistic ,  Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples , or  people with a disability . Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to  [email protected]  

If you are a current employee of the University, or hold an unpaid or affiliate appointment with the University, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.