Research Technician

Oceans Institute
- Work with the latest technology to harness the power of environmental DNA from marine environments
- Level 5 - 6, full-time appointment on a fixed term basis for 2 years
- Level 5 base salary range: $76,422 - $84,705 p.a. plus 17% superannuation
- Level 6 base salary range: $87,460 - $92,430 p.a. plus 17% superannuation

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

**About the team**

Located in the Bayliss Building on the UWA Crawley Campus, the OceanOmics Centre combines a joint Ocean Genomes Laboratory, an OceanOmics/eDNA Laboratory, and Computational Biology Services. Equipped with the latest high-throughput sequencing technology, liquid handling robotics, flow cytometry, and computational infrastructure, the centre is staffed by a collaborative team of scientists (from both Minderoo and UWA) and UWA technical staff. Core centre operations support the Minderoo OceanOmics Program, under the direction of senior Minderoo employees.

UWA staff, including this postholder, are part of the UWA Oceans Institute, a multidisciplinary research institution with core offices in the nearby Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre building, and liaise closely with Minderoo employees for day-to-day operations.

**About the opportunity**

As the appointee you will, under general direction, provide high-level technical support to academics, technical staff and students for practical activities undertaken within the OceanOmics Centre, with a particular focus on genomics technologies, high throughput sequencing, and laboratory automation.

You will contribute to research and technology development by supporting the design and by conducting technically challenging research projects that will explore novel approaches for environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis.

You will work closely with a team of research technicians operating in the OceanOmics Centre and with the research staff, which comprises a collaborative team of UWA academics and Minderoo scientists working in the Centre in their capacity as Adjuncts and Visitors. You will assist with the integration of junior staff and students into the lab’s activities, ensuring that they are able to conduct their lab work in a safe and effective manner.

**To be considered for this opportunity, you will demonstrate**:

- Relevant degree qualification or demonstrated equivalent competency and experience in a molecular biology laboratory
- Experience in implementing a range of methods and procedures to support molecular biological research from a technical and scientific perspective
- Demonstrated hands-on experience in DNA extraction methods, sequencing library preparation and/or the operation of high throughput sequencing instrumentation
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability, with a high level of attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively and productively within a team, showing initiative and team-building skills while managing competing demands
- Experience providing training on research technologies and laboratory procedures and ability to supervise junior staff and students in the lab

Full details of the position's responsibilities and the selection criteria are outlined in the position description: Research Technician Scientific Officer 514981.pdf

You are required to address the selection criteria in your submission in a separate document. For information to assist you with compiling statements to answer the selection criteria, please visit Addressing the selection criteria.

**Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Sunday, 6 August 2023**

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

**Our commitment to inclusion and diversity**

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We celebrate difference and believe diversity is fundamental to achieving our goals as a globally recognised Top 100 educational and research institution. We are committed to creating a safe work environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community and people living with disability.
- We have a globally competitive, gender neutral parental leave policy with 26 weeks paid leave after 12 months service and 36 weeks after 5 years.
- We have on-campus childcare facilities for children aged 6 weeks to kindy.
- We facilitate flexible working, with part-time and job-sharing arrangements considered.
- We have an ongoing partnership with Pride in Diversity and were recently awarded a Bronze Employer status for LGBTIQA+ inclusion.
- We have A