Laboratory Diagnostic Technician

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The Opportunity

• Disease surveillance testing for exotic and infectious diseases of veterinary significance
• Deliver quality assured diagnostic testing services (NATA/ISO 17025), routine surveillance and biological sample testing
• Help make a difference in the unique environment at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP)

CSIRO is Australia’s National Science Agency and is one of the world’s largest and most successful publicly funded R&D organisations. The Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) Business Unit (BU) is one of nine impact science business units in CSIRO. Our goal is to protect a healthy, productive and prosperous future for Australia’s animals and people by delivering world-renowned science that will further our understanding, preparedness and management of infectious diseases.

The Diagnosis Surveillance and Response (DSR) Program within AAHL is located at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) facility at Geelong. The DSR program provides diagnostics and research capability required to investigate and respond to new and emerging diseases affecting livestock and other animals. The Laboratory Diagnostic Technician position forms part of the Diagnostic Serology team within the DSR program. Lab Diagnostic Technicians in the serology laboratory enable increased capacity for emergency animal disease testing, thereby increasing ACDP’s preparedness to respond to an emergency animal disease event.

As the Lab Diagnostic Technician, you will be responsible for 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 provide assistance to other diagnostic teams within the program, as required. The testing conducted primarily involves the use of antibody detection techniques such as Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and virus neutralization tests (VNTs).  The position works in the biologically secure laboratories at physical containment level 3.  

Your duties will include:

• Work in a microbiologically secure laboratory as part of a multi-disciplinary team with responsibilities and outputs, supporting and delivering quality assured diagnostic testing services (NATA/ISO 17025) for a broad range of viral pathogens, as well as the exclusion of emergency animal diseases, routine surveillance and biological sample testing.
• Contribute to quality assurance requirements, including reporting tests, maintaining up-to-date and accurate test records, and proficiency testing.
• Undertake and complete tasks under technical direction, working with discretion to decide on the timing of operations within the work team’s plan, and planning ahead to meet diagnostic testing demands.
• Assist the Serology Team Leader, Technical Manager and Veterinary Investigation Team by providing oral and written advice upon request.
• Provide general laboratory support for housekeeping and maintenance activities.
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely and professional manner whilst maintaining an awareness of team diagnostic testing priorities, with the flexibility to assist team workflow as required.
• As required, work independently or collaboratively with colleagues on assigned activities, including experimental design, implementation and timely completion of work. Independently and proactively test possible solutions to resolve identified problems. 
• Work collaboratively and contribute to the effective functioning of the Serology team and other diagnostic teams in the DSR program, to meet Annual Performance Goals and other objectives.
• Maintain confidentiality when accessing commercially sensitive information of CSIRO and/or research or commercial partners.

Location:  Geelong, Victoria 
Salary:  AU$68k – AU$86k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:  Specified term of 3 years 
Reference:  96205

To be considered you will need:

Essential

• 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.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document results and communicate effectively with colleagues and other stakeholders.

Desirable:

• 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 is desirable, as is the ability to perform serology testing such as ELISA and virus neutralization assays.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

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 requirements. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the NV1 level. There are also a number of Microbiological Security requirements for staff working at ACDP, which are outlined in detail in the Position Description.

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. In your cover letter, please address the selection criteria outlined in the PD so we can better assess your skills and experience for the role.

Applications Close

7th April 2024, 11:00pm AEST/AEDT