Scientific Research Team Leader

• Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences

• Academic Level 7

• Full-time, fixed-term position up to 30 June 2023

• Closing date 19 June 2022 at 11.00pm AEST (R-12042)

About This Opportunity 

This is an exciting opportunity for a Scientific Research Team Leader to join the senior research team at Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) to provide high-level, specialist technical research expertise to scientific research projects, programs and initiatives. In this supervisory role, you will be responsible for managing laboratory activities and coordinating research and consultancy projects for QAEHS. You will supervise research professional staff engaged in these activities and will manage the training of staff, visitors and students and laboratory quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) for the group. 

Key responsibilities will include: 

Core Technical/Scientific Research

• Manage the chemical extraction and associated techniques for organic contaminant trace analysis, and the preparation and dispatch of passive and other samplers for environmental monitoring of trace organic chemicals for the group.

• Manage chain of custody and sample management processes for new samples coming into the Centre and archived samples.

• Coordinate and contribute to the development and implementation of best practice standard operating procedures and undertake continuous review and improvement of the group’s laboratory practices and QA/QC protocols.

• Ensure all staff and students complete and maintain up-to-date training records for laboratory processes and equipment.

• Liaise with internal researchers and external clients (as necessary) to manage contract research and consultancy projects.

• Maintain a regular presence in the QAEHS laboratory to monitor and reinforce the correct use of equipment, Personal Protective Equipment, waste management, and chemical storage.

• Train new staff and students in essential laboratory techniques, such as pipetting and use of microbalances, as necessary.

• Support the PACE Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Coordinator and Laboratory Manager to ensure compliance with UQ WHS policies, procedures and guidelines.

​Leadership and Management

• Participate in technical leadership meetings and events, and participate in discussions and initiatives on technical support and innovation that advocate advancement of the research team's objectives.

• Supervise professional research staff undertaking laboratory duties for the research group, including managing the employee lifecycle.

• Conduct and/or oversee performance planning and review in accordance with the Recognition and Development Program, examining training needs and coordinating staff development for support staff.

Safety

• Manage complex aspects of research housekeeping, including waste disposal, sample storage and management and chemical inventory management.

• Lead the development of a proactive safety culture and implement continuous improvement. 

• Ensure a high standard of occupational health and safety standards and systems, including inductions, supervision, equipment training registers, administration of research facilities and inventories, reporting and investigating injuries, incidents and hazards.

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

About You  

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Scientific Research Team Leader with significant experience and expertise in:

Essential

• Completion of an undergraduate degree with extensive relevant work experience in managing a laboratory for contaminant analysis, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

• Experience coordinating laboratory-based operations or facilities to meet research and/or client deadlines.

• Ability to manage the development and implementation of new chemical extraction methods and protocols for contemporary and emerging organic contaminants, in biotic and abiotic matrices.

• Demonstrated skill in developing and implementing standard operating procedures for laboratory-based techniques.

• Excellent organisational skills including the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.

• Leadership skills, including the ability to supervise, develop and mentor staff.

• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously as well as a willingness to function effectively in a team environment.

• Capacity to use judgement, exercise initiative, act independently and accept responsibility within the framework and guidelines established within Centre.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to produce clear, succinct research documentation and the ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a wide range of research and scientific staff.

• Commitment to upholding the University’s values, and with the outstanding personal qualities of openness, respectfulness and integrity.

• A commitment to upholding the highest standard of research integrity, ethics and workplace health and safety.

Desirable

• Experience in managing a NATA accredited laboratory.

• Experience with chemical extraction and associated techniques for trace analysis.

• Project management experience, in particular for research projects involving national, routine sample collections.

What We Can Offer 

This is a full-time (1FTE), fixed-term position through to 30 June 2023 at HEW Level 7. 

The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $90,538 - $98,719 plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range $105,929 - $115,501 per annum. 

The following flexible employment options may be available for this role: variable start or finish times and flex-time. 

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 Lauren Gubbin (Centre Manager, QAEHS) 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 ‘About You’ section  

• Resume 

Please note that you will be asked to add all documents into the one upload box during the application form.

Other Information 

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.

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.  

We value diversity and inclusion, and actively encourage applications from those who bring diversity to the University. Our Diversity and Inclusion webpage contains further information if you require additional support. 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.