Scientific Services Co-Ordinator

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research brings together world leading researchers and clinicians, collaborating locally and globally, to improve human health. Our mission is to harness all the information encoded in our genome to better diagnose, treat, predict and prevent disease. From the individual patient with rare disease, to the many thousands affected by complex, widespread illness, we are pioneering discoveries across diseases that have the deepest impact on our community.   

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Operations function (which includes the Scientific Services Department) exists to ensure the continuity and quality of building engineering services, the maximisation of the life of building fabric plant and equipment, minimising running costs of the same. The Scientific Services Department exists to ensure the continuity and quality of research undertaken at the Garvan.

Scientific Services is a part of the Operations team and responsibilities include:

• The maintenance and calibration of communal equipment

• Facilitating Laboratory fit outs

• Facilitating Laboratory clean ups

• All Temperature Controlled Equipment

• The maintenance and calibration of communal equipment

• The Scientific Services Manager is responsible for Managing the Glass wash and Media Preparation Facilities, that are a Shared Essential Service across the Precinct. 

• The Scientific Service Manager is the Secretary of the Equipment Committee and is the initial person to contact for any questions or requests relating to new or replacement equipment across Garvan

The Scientific Services Co-ordinator is accountable for providing support to the Scientific Services manager as well as overseeing scientific equipment.

Salary: $85,000+ 11% super + salary packaging (depending on experience)

Employment Type: Full time permanent

SNAPSHOT OF BENEFITS

• Generous salary packaging to save you income tax on your wages thereby boosting your monthly take home pay (max. $15,900 general expenses + $2,650 meals/accom)

• Ample opportunities for on-going training and development

• Stimulating, diverse and highly international research environment

• Flexible work arrangements e.g. start / finish times

• 18 weeks paid parental leave for both parents including paid superannuation

• A range of additional leave types to meet your personal needs including cultural leave, conference leave, community service and study leave

• Discounted Health Insurance

• Lifestyle discounts with our community partners

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The key responsibilities include:

• Logged jobs /breakdowns/: Prompt inspection and classification of the issue of jobs logged for scientific instruments.

• Assess if a basic repair can be done. If basic repairs are not possible you will update the job logging system with accurate notes and consult with the Scientific Services manager as to the best course of repair.

• Oversee the repair of the instrument from beginning to end, this includes engaging the appropriate contractor, obtaining quotes for repair, forwarding the quotes to the Scientific Services manager. After consultation with the Scientific services Manager you will organise the contractor to attend site.

• Ensure all contractors are compliant with inductions and certifications.

• Co-ordinate and oversee the yearly professional cleaning of the cool rooms.

• Co-ordinate and oversee the yearly servicing of Class II safety cabinets.

• Manage and co-ordinate the yearly preventive maintenances of ultra-low temperature freezers, scientific freezers and CO2 incubators.

• Co-ordinate and assist with equipment delivery.

• First point of contact for ultra-low temperature freezers and as such must be physically able to help with the movement/ relocation of ultra-low temperature freezers.

• Other duties as assigned by the Scientific Services Manager.

ABOUT YOU

The key skills and experience include:

• A trade certification in HVAC or refrigeration (desired but not required).

• Strong handy person, electrical and mechanical skills.

• High level of understanding of technical instructions, schematics, procedures and specifications.

• Ability to identify, develop and review operating procedures.

• Experience in handling hazardous waste (desired but not required).

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent computer skills.

• Well-developed time management and organisation skills with the ability to organize and prioritise work.

• Experience in the operation of ultra low temperature freezers and CO2 incubators (desired but not required).

• Well-developed analytical and problem solving skills.

• Highly developed attention to detail and demonstrated ability to keep accurate records.

• Knowledge of relevant legislative requirements and understanding of work health & safety and quality management practices and procedures.

• Ability to work under minimal supervision and to agreed standards and guidelines.

• Have well developed problem solving skills.

• A willingness to learn and a ‘can do’ approach is essential, excellent written and oral communication skills.

• A high level of customer service to the building populations.

• Able to adopt to different working condition, to learn fast and implement new methods.

Administration:

• Audit spare parts inventory.

• Manage spare parts inventory.

• Manage preventive maintenance reports.

• Manage NATA Certifications.

• Insist on proper logging of jobs by staff.

• Ensuring Agility (job logger program) is correct and kept up to date.

• Prompt replies to email communications to ensure researchers are kept up to date.

ABOUT GARVAN

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research is an independent Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Sydney, delivering scientific and clinical impact on a global basis and in partnership with organisations that share our vision. We are proud to be one of Australia’s largest and most highly regarded MRI’s.

Our vision is global leadership in discoveries to impact and our enduring purpose is to impact human health, by harnessing information encoded in our genome.

We seek to see our world-class discovery research achieve life-changing impacts, not only for individual patients with rare diseases, but for the many thousands affected by complex, common disease.

Garvan promotes a diverse workplace and is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. We are always looking for culture ‘add’, not culture ‘fit’ and are building diverse teams with great sets of complementary styles and skills to help deliver our important work effectively.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this position, please submit your application with a CV and cover letter as one document, stating why you are interested in this role. We are reviewing applications as they are received. If you think you’re the right person for this role, we’d love to hear how your capabilities, achievements and experience set you apart. Only applicants with full working rights in Australia are eligible to apply for this role.