Material Support Handler

• UQ Biological Resources
• HEW 3
• Fixed-term position for up to 3 years
• Closing date Thursday 8 September at 11.00pm AEST (R-16099)

About This Opportunity 

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and self-motivated person to join our team at the UQ Biological Resources (UQBR) QBI facility. This position reports directly to the Animal Research Coordinator, as well as the QBI Senior Animal Facility Manager, UQ Biological Resources (UQBR). This role involves a significant proportion of physical tasks involving lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying heavy equipment and supplies.

Under the direction of the Animal Research Coordinator, the primary purpose of the role is to undertake cage cleaning, equipment processing and waste management activities within the QBI Animal Facility. The position is also required to undertake material handling procedures, adhere to regulations and policies, and work within a team environment.

This position will be based at St Lucia.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Follow PPE requirements for the area and any specific task being carried out
• Knock out, wash and filling of animal cages, water bottles and other equipment. General cleaning and equipment up-keep in the central wash area.
• Sterilization of cages, equipment and dry goods for use within the Research, Breeding and Gnotobiotic areas.
• Perform quality control practices related to equipment operation, material processing, productivity, and biosecurity in the cage wash areas
• Adhere to waste disposal practices, ensuring that all goods are disposed of safely and according to standard procedures.
• Liaise with stores personnel to oversee food, bedding and general supply receipt and distribution.
• Perform stocktakes of feed and bedding to ensure reasonable stocks are maintained to prevent wastage or low stock. Assist with ordering of necessary supplies and consumables.
• Participate in weekend and Public Holiday rosters
• Perform basic animal care and husbandry duties if required (with training and supervision), for up to approximately 10 per cent of the time.

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

About You  

Essential

• Completion of a Certificate III level qualification; or completion of year 12 or a cert II, with relevant work experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant work-related experience and/or education/training
• Demonstrated experience with working effectively in a team environment
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Effective time management and organisation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with wide variety of people including supervisors, team members and internal/external personnel (such as stores of maintenance staff) by telephone, email and in person
• Ability to prioritise own workload, work independently and meet deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience working within support areas in laboratory animal facility.
• General operational knowledge of research animal facility cage wash, waste disposal procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in the operation and maintenance of specialised equipment.
• Knowledge of WHS, OGTR, DAWE Biosecurity regulatory requirements
   

What We Can Offer 

This is a full-time, fixed-term position through to September 2025 at HEW Level 3.

The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $59,165 - $65,270 plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range $69,224 - $76,366 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 Trish Hitchcock (UQBR QBI Animal Facility Manager) at p.hitchcock@uq.edu.au

For application queries, please contact recruitment@uq.edu.au 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 Document addressing the ‘About You’ section   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.

About the Selection Process 

   
To satisfy pre-requisite questions and ensure your application can be considered in full, all candidates must apply via the UQ Careers portal by the job closing deadline or will not be accepted. 
 

Other Information 

Medical Clearance. Working with laboratory animals is an inherent requirement of the position. The appointment is therefore subject to, and conditional upon, satisfactory medical clearance(s), including disclosure of relevant medical history, to undertake such work without unreasonable risk to your health and safety. In addition, the Employee is required to fully comply with necessary ongoing health monitoring procedures and control measures associated with the position

Vaccinations and Immunisation. It is a condition of employment for this role that if you are required now or in the future, to work or interact in Queensland Health clinical facility; or in an equivalent, clinical health facility; or health care role; or will be required to perform work tasks that put you at risk of exposure to vaccine-preventable disease you are required to be immunised against, and remain immunised against, certain vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in accordance with the University’s Vaccinations and Immunisation Guidelines (PPL 2.60.08). The employee is required to provide evidence of immunisation against VPDs.

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 recruitment@uq.edu.au. 

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