Scientific Services and Operations Manager

Full-Time, 2 Year Contract

At the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), we are committed to achieving innovative, ground-breaking health and medical research that fundamentally improves the quality of life for all people.

We are seeking a proactive and motivated Scientific Services and Operations Manager to join the Bioresources team at SAHMRI. The Scientific Services and Operations Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating scientific support services and operational functions to ensure the efficient delivery of research and development activities. This role bridges scientific expertise with strategic operational management, enabling high-quality, compliant, and cost-effective outcomes across multidisciplinary teams. The position will work closely with the Head of Bioresources and with Bioresources staff on a day-to-day basis.

About the Role

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and manage the entire Bioresources team on a day-to-day basis
• Act as Head of Bioresources in their absence
• Regularly meet with researchers to discuss their project/experimental requirements
• Facilitate Bioresources activities to meet the requirements of the researchers
• Facilitate researcher access to new models and procedures
• Undertake audits of the facility to determine quality and effectiveness of activities
• Assist in providing data and figures for costing research grant proposals in line with institute procedures
• Keep abreast of the literature and technical developments elated to experimental and breeding work in the facility
• Establish, implement and review procedures, guidelines and systems to ensure the effective, safe and efficient operation of the animal facility
• Provide hands on support in the absence of staff
• Provide high quality written reports to Management as required
• Participate in regular laboratory and workplace inspections, and in obtaining and maintaining accreditation for the facility such as ISO9001, AAALAC, and NATA implementing change as required
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, biosafety and training requirements

About You

The successful candidate will possess the following key attributes:

• Graduate degree (Medical and or Health Sciences)
• 7+ years of animal facility experience highly desirable
• Demonstrated animal ethical and welfare knowledge
• Experience with management of rodent colonies for research purposes
• Demonstrated ability to engage with stakeholders and provide high quality service
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team effectively and respectfully
• Demonstrated understanding and ability in technical procedures associated with a rodent animal facility
• Demonstrated ability to work with complex databases to create efficient workflows
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality documents
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management practices
• Demonstrated understanding of compliance requirements for an animal facility

Special Requirements

• Some out of hours work may be required.
• DCSI Employment Screening and Police Checks may be required.
• his position requires a pre-employment medical examination to determine suitability for the physical requirements of the role.
• SAHMRI is required to implement the Addressing vaccine preventable disease: Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination policy for SAHMRI employees carrying out work in any SA Health Facility.
• Immunisation Risk for this position is Category C (minimal patient contact).

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values and our institute is dedicated to grow a culture that pursues, enables and demands research excellence. We are proud of the work we do and work hard as a team to make a positive difference to the community.  Our values of excellence, innovation, courage, integrity and teamwork are what help us achieve our goals. If these are also your values and goals, apply today.

As a not-for-profit organisation, SAHMRI employees can access salary packaging options up to $15,900. Salary packaging lets you pay for things like the everyday costs of living with money from your salary before tax. This reduces your taxable income, meaning you could pay less tax and take home more of what you earn. For more information on salary packaging please see the Maxxia website.

For a copy of the position description, please click here.

For more information, please contact Stuart Read at

Applications close: 19 October 2025

Applications may close earlier than advertised if a suitable candidate is found prior to the close date.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply