Senior Technical Officer, Aquatic, Aviary and Wildlife

• Based at our Geelong, Waurn Ponds Campus + hybrid work arrangements
• Full-time and continuing 
• HEW 6 $96,276 - $103, % Superannuation

Who are we?

Deakin is a cutting-edge public university headquartered in Victoria, revolutionising education with 61,000 students across our campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia (DLI), GIFT City, India, and our vibrant online environment. We're proud to be a progressive and open-minded university, delivering the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world's universities.

As a Senior Technical Officer, Aquatic, Aviary and Wildlife, you will:

• Support researchers using animals under the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, humans and genetically modified organisms, the requirements of the University Animal Ethics Committees, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and the Office of Gene Technology Regulator.
• Lead with professional and ethical behaviours, managing the use of animals for research and teaching and ensuring animal research facilities are maintained and functioning at the standard expected of a leading research institution.
• Oversee and manage the ethically sound husbandry of all allocated animals in accordance with standard operating procedures and relevant protocols, ensuring that they are observed daily to assess health, ecological conditions, social environment, at the same time and ensuring animals have access to clean food, water, and environmental enrichment.
• Manage and actively participate in delivering laboratory animal requirements of experimental projects, for instance breeding programs to defined specifications.
• Provide coordination support to Animal Services team members to ensure compliance requirements and key project timelines are met.

To be successful, you'll have:

• A Degree with subsequent relevant experience; or
• Extensive experience and specialist knowledge or broad knowledge in technical or administrative fields.
• Demonstrated experience in the care of laboratory animals, with a specialisation in aquatics, avian, wildlife species, including application of surgical skill.
• Experience in animal use in research and teaching in a broad range of disciplines and proven ability to successfully work within a high performing research team.
• Understanding of the requirements of relevant Commonwealth and State legislation and external regulatory authorities or funding bodies.
• Frequent work outside business hours is required (e.g., the work pattern includes hours outside business hours, weekend, University and public holiday rosters and on call work).

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter outlining your skills and experience.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact David Taylor, Manager, Animal Services, Research Systems & Infrastructure on   

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 Senior Technical Officer Aquatic Aviary and

Applications for this position close on Tuesday 11th November 2025.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.