Laboratory Assistant

Job Description
- Laboratory Assistant

**Req ID**:3637

**Posting Start Date**:08/05/2025

**Advertisement End Date**:29/05/2025

**Work Location**:The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

The Royal Melbourne Hospital is one of Australia’s leading public healthcare providers. Join the team. Build a career. We are looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join The Royal Melbourne Hospital.

**Laboratory Assistant Grade 1**

**Part Time (0.8EFT), Ongoing Role**

The Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) is a leading Australian infectious diseases reference laboratory located in Melbourne, Victoria. VIDRL is part of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (the Doherty) a joint venture between the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the University of Melbourne. VIDRL provides the Victorian Department of Health with virology, mycobacterial, parasitology and mycology public health reference laboratory services, including surveillance, outbreak investigations, reference testing and research. VIDRL also performs diagnostic testing, mainly in virology, for Victorian hospitals. In addition, VIDRL has national reference laboratory designations as well as a strong commitment to international health programs through the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza (WHOCCRRI).

We are seeking a part time (0.8EFT) permanent Laboratory Assistant who will be responsible for supporting BAU to both the VIDRL and the WHOCCRRI at The Doherty Institute. This involves several key tasks and duties in both the laboratories and back-of-house including the inactivation and safe disposal of infectious material used in laboratories at VIDRL. In addition this role includes the maintenance and preparation of sterile equipment and reagents for all sections of the laboratory.

The VIDRL and the WHOCCRRI are public health organisations that have been key to Victoria’s public health responses including being at the forefront of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic response. The role will ensure that the public health laboratories continue to provide a critical health service to not only Victoria but globally as well, and will also include involvement in the Australian Institute for Infectious Diseases (AIID) services.

The VIDRL Facilities Team support the daily operations and BAU of the State’s Public Health Reference Laboratory and also the WHOCCRRI. The team is a cohesive unit which combines all of the back-of-house services in conjunction with the University of Melbourne’s support teams. The role is critical in maintaining and delivering BAU to the laboratories to ensure VIDRL provides a 24/7/365 public health service to the state.

**Your new role**:

- Removal and decontamination of infected laboratory material, glassware and other apparatus
- Maintenance of a continuous supply of sterilized equipment (glass ware and laboratory equipment) and reagents for use throughout the department
- Washing and sterilisation of reusable laboratory glassware
- Packing and sterilisation of laboratory tools and equipment
- Performing calibrations on pipettes used in diagnostic testing as part of NATA accreditation
- Assist with the receipt of laboratory consumables
- Assist with the University of Melbourne’s wash up duties - including:

- Washing of all reusable laboratory glassware, following sterilisation
- Autoclaving of University solutions
- Packing and sterilisation of laboratory tools and equipment
- Maintain all supplies to all VIDRL tea points and the main communal tearoom
- Maintaining supplies required for the CSSD area
- Delivering sterilised supplies back to each laboratory
- Providing assistance in laboratories as needed including:

- Tube labelling
- Preparation of Bead Bottles
- Decontamination of equipment
- Assist with the collection of non-infectious waste to basement
- Assist in CSSD Autoclaving as required
- Preparation of various Media/Solutions for laboratories
- Input into Standard Operation Procedure development as requested
- Other duties as may be directed from time to time

**About you**:

- Experience in basic laboratory techniques
- Ability to contribute effectively as a participative team member
- Good communication skills
- Demonstrated basic computer skills
- Experience working in a diagnostic laboratory
- Experience in handling infectious materials
- Experience with the use of an autoclave

**Benefit of working with Melbourne Health**:

- Opportunity work in a world leading Public Health Institute
- Enjoy excellent work-life balance working in a supportive and collaborative team
- Salary packaging, onsite car parking and, close to public transport.

**Interested?**

If you are looking for a challenging role and can demonstrate the above capabilities, connect with us via the details below.

For a confidential discussion please connect via the details below.

Primary Contact: Dallas Wilson, 9342 9601

Alternative Contact: Matthew Killen, 9342 9637

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