Location: Melbourne | Northern Metropolitan
Job type: Full time / For 12 Months
Organisation: Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Occupation: Science
Reference: VG/50962461B/
The Technical Officer – Vector Biology will provide scientific, technical, and operational support to Agriculture Victoria Research's surveillance portfolio. This role will undertake activities to underpin Victoria's agricultural biosecurity, agricultural productivity and public health. This role will support DEECA's biosecurity obligations under the MOU with the Biosecurity Branch to diagnose and respond to outbreaks of animal and zoonotic diseases and several research, and surveillance projects, funded through the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Victorian Department of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The surveillance projects are responsible for screening mosquitoes for pathogens of public health significance and supporting diagnostic capabilities in a range of veterinary diseases. The position will work in the Microbiology clade, within the Microbial Sciences, Pests and Diseases Unit, Agriculture Victoria Research and will be based at AgriBio, The Centre of Agribioscience, Bundoora. This position will report directly to the Senior Research Scientist - Virology in the animal virology group, within Microbial Sciences, Pests and Diseases.
The Technical Officer will require strong theoretical technical knowledge and laboratory experience and organisational skills, particularly in arbovirology and veterinary virology. The Technical Officer will have strong experience in high-throughput mosquito identification using both morphological and molecular techniques. The position will apply this knowledge and experience across the Microbiology group and be responsible for conducting routine morphological mosquito identification. In addition, this position will contribute to science projects and laboratory test development, while participating in the general operational activities to support our quality management system and regulatory accreditation. Many of the duties will be repetitive and will require independent work.
Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications A tertiary qualification in Applied Science or equivalent qualification or experience or at least three years of relevant experience in a molecular or microbial diagnostic laboratory. Technical experience in morphological and molecular identification of mosquitoes. Experience in the identification of other Dipteran species. Knowledge and experience working within a veterinary diagnostic laboratory that operates under a quality management system, such as good laboratory practices or accredited by NATA, animal/human ethics committees or biosecurity/ quarantine material (i.e. OGTR or Department of Agriculture). Proven ability to accurately and efficiently collate and manage experimental data using a range of software applications. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a project team, be responsible for areas of work, communicate effectively with others, show initiative, demonstrate organisational skills and operate under minimal supervision. This is a fixed term position available for a period of 12 Months. The work location for this position is AgriBio Bundoora. Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.
Applications close at midnight on Tuesday, 03 December 2024. Other relevant information: Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check.
To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.
A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave. Job type: Full time / For 12 Months
Job classification: SciA
Contact: Peter Mee | 03 9032 7143 OR ******
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