Process Engineering Safety Lead

• 1-year, fixed-term, full time position. Located at the Darlington Campus at the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in Faculty of Engineering
• Opportunity to lead process safety management in a world-class engineering school
• Base Salary (HEO8) $126,065 - $142,171 p.a. + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) is welcoming applications for a Process Engineering Safety Lead to oversee and manage the day-to-day process safety operations within the School. This role will work closely with the Head of School, Technical Shared Service team, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Partner, Facilities Management, and other stakeholders to ensure our research and teaching laboratories operate to the highest safety standards.

The Lead will champion a strong safety culture across high-risk process engineering environments, lead safety training initiatives, conduct audits, and drive continuous improvement in safety practices. This role is ideal for a safety professional who thrives in a complex, technical environment and enjoys building relationships across academic, technical, and operational teams.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• lead the School's WHS portfolio as the key contact, ensuring compliance with legislation, and providing leadership in process safety and a culture of continuous improvement and risk awareness
• oversee and maintain health, safety, and wellbeing systems for high-risk chemical and process engineering activities
• conduct audits, inspections, hazard assessments, and investigate incidents to drive continuous improvement and accreditation readiness
• develop and deliver process safety training (e.g., HAZOP, risk assessment, emergency response) for staff and students
• collaborate with Facilities Management, service providers, and the Emergency Control Organisation to ensure safe projects and robust emergency plans
• monitor safety performance and manage the School's WHS action plans, while undertaking other duties to support strategic and operational priorities.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Process Engineering Safety Lead who has:

• a degree or equivalent qualification in chemical engineering, process engineering, or a closely related discipline
• demonstrated experience in process safety management in research, industrial, or academic environments
• strong knowledge of chemical process hazards, safety legislation, risk assessment techniques, and safety standards (e.g., AS, OSHA, EPA)
• experience designing and delivering safety training to technical and non-technical audiences, with familiarity in HAZOP and structured methodologies used in chemical and process industries
• excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse groups
• proven ability to analyse complex safety challenges, develop practical risk controls, and lead continuous improvement in safety culture.

Important - Please outline your relevant skills and experience in your cover letter as well as provide an example of a time when you were responsible for delivering a project or piece of work while managing multiple and competing deadlines, and attach to your online application.

Work Rights

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion , evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTIQ+ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion .

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nicole Turle, Recruitment Operations by email to

The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Sunday 14 September :59 PM