James Cook University (JCU) is creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally and globally. Are you an experienced technical professional with expertise in biological sciences, laboratory operations or technical service environments? Join JCU in Cairns and play a key role in delivering safe, high-quality practical learning and teaching across Education, Life and Environmental Sciences in Cairns. We are seeking a capable and experienced Senior Technical Advisor to provide campus coordination, advanced technical advice, hands-on delivery support of practical learning activities across laboratory and technical service environments.
- Laboratory and Technical Services, Education Division
- Full-time, continuing | 36.25 hours per week
- Successful candidate must be based in Cairns or willing to relocate before commencement
- Based at the Cairns Nguma-bada campus, gateway to the Outstanding Barrier Reef and tropical North Queensland
- HEWL 7: $99,878.44
- $110,446.52 per annum plus up to 17% superannuation

ABOUT THE ROLE
As the Senior Technical Advisor (Education, Life and Environmental Sciences), you will coordinate and deliver high-quality technical services supporting practical learning and teaching activities. The portfolio spans practical teaching delivery across Education, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Zoology and Ecology disciplines. The role also contributes to the effective delivery of Laboratory and Technical Services by the Education, Life and Environmental Sciences team in Cairns, by providing technical leadership and on-the-job guidance, building staff capability and supporting effective local work and campus coordination. You will coordinate key safety and compliance activities, including risk assessments,



audits, inspections, incident and hazard reporting, training and safe work procedures, while providing high-level technical and operational advice to support service planning, quality assurance, problem‑solving and continuous improvement. WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE You will bring relevant qualifications and advanced technical experience gained in complex biological, earth and/or environmental science laboratories, or similar technical service environments, ideally in a higher education environment. You will bring a demonstrated ability to train, guide and support others, with a sound understanding of Workplace Health and Safety requirements and experience in risk management and safe work practices. Your strong organisational, problem‑solving and communication skills will enable you to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgement and build effective working relationships. SELECTION CRITERIA In addition to the Key Requirements for Success outlined in the Role Profile, the successful applicant must have: 1. Advanced technical experience within biological, earth and/or environmental science laboratories, or related scientific and technical environments, with demonstrated ability to coordinate and support the safe and effective delivery of practical learning and teaching activities across diverse disciplines. 2.



Demonstrated experience providing day-to-day technical leadership and operational coordination, including guiding and supporting technical staff, coordinating local work and campus priorities, providing on-the-job training and contributing to staff capability development. 3. Significant experience coordinating laboratory and technical operations, including oversight of the operational readiness of specialised laboratories, equipment and instrumentation, and the coordination of facilities, resources and practical activities to support teaching and service requirements. 4. Demonstrated experience coordinating safety and compliance activities within laboratory and technical environments, with sound knowledge of WHS requirements, risk management, chemical and biological safety, dangerous goods, scheduled medicines and positions, Australian laboratory standards and related regulatory requirements. 5. Demonstrated ability to coordinate competing technical and operational requirements with advanced communication skills, and strong organisational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to exercise judgement and initiative, provide high-level technical advice, and support consistent service delivery in a complex multidisciplinary environment. 6. It is a requirement of this position to hold and maintain a current C Class Queensland driver's license, First Aid and CPR certification and a Working with Children Blue Card. WHY JCU JCU offers a dynamic and culturally diverse workplace where your ideas are valued, your professional growth is supported, and your work-life balance is respected. Working under the values of Authenticity, Excellence, Integrity, and Respect, we support and empower our people through the provisions of;
- A generous superannuation scheme with up to 17% emplo

📌 Senior Technical Advisor (Cairns Regional)
🏢 James Cook University
📍 Cairns Regional