• Fulfil your career in science and leadership in a highly-motivated, innovative national team. • Contribute to Australia's world-class biosecurity system. • Enjoy competitive remuneration and conditions.
Who we are
Science and Surveillance Group (SSG) is comprised of scientists, operations and support staff responsible for regulatory advice and training, technical input to biosecurity policy, regulation activity in the Torres Strait and diverse surveillance and diagnostic services around Australia, including animal and plant health surveillance measures under the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy.
The Plant Pathology and Botany Section supports regulatory decision-making and biosecurity policy settings with plant health diagnostics at the Australian border, scientific expertise, and operational intelligence, working with the department and stakeholders to safeguard Australia from exotic plant diseases and weeds and to enable continued agricultural access to improved crop varieties imported through post-entry quarantine.
The Jobs
The roles provide and manage molecular diagnostics for biosecurity in the department's laboratories at Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Moonee Ponds, Mickleham, Perth and Sydney. Under the general direction of the Principal Entomologist/Plant Pathologist/Molecular Biologist, the Senior Molecular Biologist will undertake duties that include, but are not limited to:
• providing leadership, management and operational support of diagnostic staff in the laboratory to ensure timely, effective delivery of diagnostic activities and technical advice within the quality management system
• conducting a range of procedures and molecular tests of samples submitted to the laboratory from plants under post-entry quarantine
• leading the selection, validation, verification and application of molecular diagnostic tests
• collecting or sourcing samples suitable for laboratory diagnostics from plants in post-entry quarantine or other locations
• liaising, negotiating and communicating with internal stakeholders to resolve complex molecular diagnostic issues in support of biosecurity decisions for plants in post-entry plant quarantine facilities
• contributing to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives for the section nationally
• reporting, recording and analysing diagnostic results and verification data, preparing formal reports and standard operating procedures and providing technical input to work instructions, guidelines and requests for operational policy advice
• promoting and ensuring compliance with WHS requirements in the laboratory including fostering a positive WHS culture, identifying and assessing hazards and developing, implementing and reviewing safety controls
• developing and leading the delivery of technical training to internal stakeholders
• leading and contributing to operational and strategic initiatives in the section and SSG
• promoting and ensuring compliance with the Australian Public Service (APS) Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct.
Please note that this recruitment process will initially be used to fill one ongoing vacancy that is only available in Mickleham. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the branch (where the duties are of a similar nature) and these future vacancies may become available in any of the locations listed above.
What we are looking for Knowledge and experience
• Demonstrated experience in leading and motivating a team undertaking complex tasks and experience harnessing the skills and knowledge of the team to prioritise effort in order to meet changing operational needs.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and delivering molecular diagnostics for a range of plant pathogenic taxa utilising conventional and emerging technologies.
• A demonstrated in-depth understanding of molecular assay design and troubleshooting and the ability to transfer these skills to technical staff.
• Demonstrated experience in the negotiation and resolution of issues or conflicting points of view.
• Demonstrated experience in the interrogation, analysis and reporting of statistical and diagnostic data.
Mandatory qualifications
The successful applicants will have either tertiary qualifications in science (minimum bachelor's degree) with a specialisation in molecular plant pathology or diagnostics or the equivalent based on demonstrated experience and with graduate qualifications.
Eligibility and other requirements
The successful applicants must:
• hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle driver licence
• note that you may be required to undertake activities in and outside post-entry quarantine facilities and that you may need to travel to other locations in Australia and, if required, offshore.
For additional information, please read the Job Description below. Start your application by clicking the "begin" button.
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