"Animal Technical Assistant"

Animal Technical Assistant

locations

• St Lucia Campus
• Dutton Park
• Princess Alexandra Hospital - Woolloongabba
• Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital - Herston

time type

Full time

posted on

Posted Yesterday

job requisition id

R-60662

• Biological Resources

Multiple full-time, permanent positions available 

Base salary will be in the range $77,545 - $82,218 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 4) 

Based at our St. Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity 

This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to high-quality research outcomes through the delivery of professional animal care and technical services within a regulated laboratory environment.

As an Animal Technical Assistant, you will play a critical role in supporting breeding programs, maintaining animal colonies, and ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, biosecurity and compliance across laboratory animal facilities. Working closely with researchers, supervisors and technical colleagues, the role combines hands-on animal care with operational responsibility, accurate record-keeping and adherence to complex regulatory frameworks.

This position suits a dedicated and detail-oriented professional who values teamwork, takes pride in technical excellence, and is motivated by supporting impactful scientific research in a world-class university setting.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Deliver high-quality animal care, husbandry and breeding services for laboratory rodents or other species, ensuring optimal animal welfare, colony health and accurate record-keeping.
• Perform routine and technical procedures, including injections, sample collection, breeding support and euthanasia, in accordance with approved protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain facility operations, cleanliness and biosecurity by operating equipment, monitoring life-support systems, managing inventory and responding promptly to alarms or incidents.
• Provide effective operational and compliance support to researchers and stakeholders through clear communication, sound technical advice and collaborative teamwork, including participation in rostered after-hours work.

About UQ

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 
• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight 
• 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 $6.40 a day) 
• Salary packaging options 

About You

• Holds a relevant qualification and/or equivalent practical experience in animal technology, or a related field, with the capability to work confidently in a regulated animal care environment.
• Demonstrates sound knowledge of animal breeding practices, colony management and accurate record-keeping, or the ability to acquire this expertise quickly.
• Brings proven competence in animal handling and routine technical procedures, with a strong commitment to animal welfare and ethical research practices.
• Applies regulatory, biosecurity and workplace health and safety requirements with accuracy, professionalism and attention to detail.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with researchers, technical staff and stakeholders, supporting collaborative working relationships and a strong service focus.
• Exhibits strong organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise tasks, work independently when required and contribute positively as part of a team.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including right to work in Australia, criminal check and medical clearance.

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.  

Medical Clearance

Working with laboratory animals is an inherent requirement of the position. The appointment is therefore subject to, and conditional upon, satisfactory medical clearance(s), including disclosure of relevant medical history, to undertake such work without unreasonable risk to your health and safety. In addition, the Employee is required to fully comply with necessary ongoing health monitoring procedures and control measures associated with the position.

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Rebecca Bruce at r.bruce1@uq.edu.au

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.  

Want to Apply? 

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

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

Our strength 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. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au. 

Other Information 

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.  

Applications close Monday 9 March 2026, 11.00pm AEST (R-60662). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week of the 16th of March.