"Aquatic Technical Officer"

About This Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly specialised aquatic research facility supporting world-class scientific research! As an Aquatic Technical Officer, you will play a critical role in the delivery of high-quality animal care, breeding, and technical services within a regulated research environment.

Working closely with researchers, students, and facility staff, you will contribute to the ethical and compliant operation of aquatic systems, including recirculating aquarium infrastructure, colony management, and specialised husbandry practices. This role offers hands-on involvement across the full lifecycle of aquatic research animals, from daily care and water quality management through to supporting experimental procedures and training facility users.

Join us and help deliver ethical, high-quality aquatic animal care that underpins cutting-edge research!

Key responsibilities will include:

• Deliver high-quality aquatic animal care and husbandry, including colony management, breeding programs, and maintenance of accurate facility and genetic records.
• Operate and maintain recirculating aquarium systems, including water quality testing, life-support monitoring, biosecurity controls, and treatment administration.
• Perform routine and specialised technical procedures in support of research activities, ensuring compliance with approved animal ethics, regulatory, and welfare requirements.
• Support facility operations by training and assisting researchers and students, responding to alarms or incidents, and maintaining clear, professional communication across the facility.

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

• Demonstrated experience in aquatic animal care within a research or intensive aquaculture environment, including zebrafish or marine systems, or relevant experience
• Sound knowledge of aquatic husbandry, breeding practices, colony management, and maintaining accurate records in a regulated setting.
• Practical experience operating recirculating aquarium systems, including water quality monitoring, life-support systems, and treatment administration.
• Competence in performing routine and specialised technical procedures in support of research, with a strong commitment to animal welfare.
• Working knowledge of relevant regulatory and compliance frameworks (e.g. AEC, OGTR, DAFF, OH&S) and the ability to apply them in practice.
• Strong interpersonal and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently, prioritise workloads, and communicate effectively with researchers, staff, and students.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including right to work in Australia, a 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 Gillian Lawrence.

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.

Applications close Wednesday 4 March 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-60739). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week of the 9th of March 2026.