Laboratory Diagnostic Technician

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

- Contribute to Australia's preparedness for emergency animal disease outbreaks.
- Work in ACDP's specialised PC3 laboratories using advanced diagnostic techniques.
- 12 month fixed term opportunity and be part of a collaborative team delivering nationally important diagnostic services.

The opportunity

Join CSIRO's Diagnostic Serology team at ACDP in Geelong and contribute to critical disease surveillance and diagnostic testing programs. Working alongside leading scientists and veterinary experts, you'll apply cutting-edge laboratory techniques to help safeguard Australia's livestock industries against exotic and emerging disease threats.

As the Laboratory Diagnostic Technician you will be responsible for assisting with the delivery of outputs across a range of quality-assured laboratory diagnostic services. In particular, the work will include disease surveillance testing for exotic and infectious diseases of veterinary significance, and associated laboratory housekeeping activities. You will also assist other diagnostic teams within the program, as required. The testing conducted primarily involves the use of virology techniques such as Enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus neutralisation tests (VNTs).

In this role, you will work in the biologically secure laboratories at physical containment level 3. The position forms part of the Diagnostic Serology team within the Diagnosis, Surveillance and Response (DSR) program.

The DSR program at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) provides diagnostic and research capability required to investigate and respond to newly emerging diseases affecting livestock and other animals.





Due to the nature of the role, you will be required to meet ACDP’s microbiological security and any other additional security assessment requirements, as well as be appropriately vaccinated.

High-level duties

- Deliver diagnostic testing that helps protect Australia's livestock industries and biosecurity.
- Conduct advanced serological testing in one of Australia's leading high‑containment laboratory facilities.
- Support national disease surveillance and emergency animal disease response activities.
- Collaborate with leading scientists, veterinarians and diagnostic specialists.
- Maintain high‑quality laboratory standards within an accredited diagnostic environment.
- Contribute to laboratory operations, continuous improvement and technical problem‑solving.
- Support innovative research and diagnostic projects that address emerging animal health threats.

Location and office arrangements Geelong, VIC - Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP)

Salary AU$76k – AU$96k per annum (pro rata for part‑time), plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule 12 month specified term, full‑time.

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.
- Experience conducting and coordinating laboratory‑based experiments or tests, with a demonstrated ability to plan and schedule laboratory workflow.
- Demonstrated ability to address underlying issues of complex and ill‑defined problems in a timely and technically sound manner.




- Experience working both independently and co‑operatively as a member of a larger project team, with a demonstrated ability to form and maintain effective and respectful relationships with a range of colleagues and collaborators.
- Robust written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document results and communicate effectively with colleagues and other stakeholders.
- Experience working in a diagnostic lab conducting and coordinating laboratory‑based diagnostic tests, including experience using a LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) within a quality management system.
- Experience working with infectious viruses in a PC3 laboratory environment.
- Demonstrated ability to perform and troubleshoot serology testing such as ELISA, HI and virus neutralisation assays.

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens only.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character clearance 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.

30th August 2026, 11:59 pm AEST

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 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.

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📌 Laboratory Diagnostic Technician (Warrnambool)
🏢 CSIRO
📍 Warrnambool