Chemical Waste Coordinator

• Faculty of Science

• Full-time, permanent position with salary in the range $102, $111, % Superannuation (HEW Level 7)

• Join UQ in a hands-on, high-impact role where you will oversee safe, efficient, and best-practice chemical waste management.

• Drive essential operations for teaching and research, providing expert guidance and ensuring safety and compliance across all laboratory activities.

• Based at our St Lucia location

Join UQ as our Chemical Waste Coordinator where you will oversee safe, efficient and best practice chemical waste management.  You will work as part of a dynamic team that provides expert guidance on hazardous chemical waste management.  You will take a leading role in managing the safe and efficient operation of our chemical store. You will provide expert guidance on chemical handling, waste processing, and dangerous goods transport, which is essential for laboratory operations. This is a hands-on, high-impact role offering the chance to drive best-practice chemical management and make a real difference for teaching and research at UQ.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Oversee Chemical waste processes, including generation of waste labels, waste collection and waste packaging for transport.

• Compile chemical waste manifests for dangerous goods transport.

• Provide expert advice on chemical waste management including assistance on risk managing onsite treatment by clients.

• Oversee Chemical waste storage on-site and ensure chemical management controls are in place, including segregation and maintenance of Hazardous area requirements.

• Ensure chemical waste handling is undertaken safely using manual handling and chemical containment equipment.

• Conduct regular reviews of waste operations and make any necessary adjustments to schedules and staffing to ensure the operational and safety standards are maintained.

• Oversee chemical waste management systems and regularly review effectiveness.

• Develop and maintain SOPs, emergency plans, and risk assessments.

• Provide assistance with Emergency Responses for Chemical store operations.

• Develop chemical waste guidance materials and chemical waste training resources.

• Liaise with the chemical waste contractor on waste acceptance criteria.

• Provide oversight of chemical waste contractor safety and compliance.

• Provide advice on laboratory relocations and disposal of legacy chemicals.

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemistry, with at least four years' experience working with organic chemicals, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training

• Ability to work under broad direction efficiently with a number of stakeholders and undertake complex problem-solving tasks

• Current drivers' license.

• Forklift licence or willingness to obtain one.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Chemical Waste Management experience.

• Relevant stores experience.

• Current First Aid and CPR certification.

• Experience supervising a team.

• IATA and ADG training for shipping Dangerous Goods.

• Knowledge of workplace health and safety legislation and the ADG code.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal history check and vaccination status for tetanus.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave

• 17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family

• Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program

• On campus childcare options

• Affordable parking (from just $6.15 a day)

• Salary packaging options

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section

• Resume

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Kelly Cosgrove via or Dr Audrey Ndukwe via . For application queries, please contact stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Applications close 15 October 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number - R

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don't meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role. 

We know one of our strengths as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to for accessibility support or adjustments. 

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.