"Laboratory Assistant"

Position Details

• Fixed Term, available until 31/12/2026| Full-Time
• Higher Education Officer Level 4 | $74,392 - $80,234 p.a.
• Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Land
• View Position Description

College of Medicine and Public Health

At the College of Medicine and Public Health, we deliver clinical, population and lab-based research, integrated teaching programs and high-quality clinical services. Our footprint reaches out from our world class teaching hospital at the Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia to multiple rural clinical locations all the way to Darwin in the Northern Territory. Our research and teaching equip the next generation of leaders and innovators with the skill, commitment, and vision to protect vulnerable communities and truly advance health outcomes. It is at the heart of everything we do.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity to provide vital support to the Integrative Neuroscience Laboratory Team, perfectly blending technical and administrative duties. A snapshot of the daily tasks the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work across include:

• Assisting with surgical procedures and animal-based recording experiments by preparing sterilized instruments, setting up recording equipment, and monitoring anaesthesia levels under supervision.
• Preparing and administrating routine drugs in animal models following established research protocols and safety guidelines.
• Perform routine histological techniques, including brain tissue collection, sectioning (e.g., using a cryostat or microtome), and performing immunohistochemical staining. Operate optical and/or fluorescence microscopes to capture experimental images and collect data in accordance with validated laboratory protocols.
• Conduct daily clinical health checks and post-operative monitoring of research animals, ensuring all observations are accurately documented in compliance with Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) requirements.

About You

You are an emerging laboratory assistant who thoroughly enjoys the dynamic of being an active member of a research team. You are passionate about quality, compliance & standardisation in your record management, and has a natural curiosity for all things neuroscience. You will also be able to demonstrate the following:

• Completion of diploma level qualification with relevant work-related experience; or Certificate IV in a relevant area with relevant/extensive relevant work experience or equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Demonstrated routine to general knowledge in the methodologies relating to neuroscience research techniques, including basic animal handling and an understanding of histological processes, and the principles of light and fluorescence microscopy.
• Demonstrated ability to perform precise tasks such as drug administration, tissue sectioning, staining procedures, and the operation of microscope imaging systems under guidance.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring animal health and observing histological results, with the ability to identify and report issues promptly.

Life at Flinders

We're transforming and investing in people and facilities to create contemporary, stimulating, and satisfying learning and work environments that reflect our core values of excellence, innovation, courage, and integrity. Flinders is refocusing its strategic priorities with the aim of elevating its performance to be a top ten Australian university, and amongst the top 1% in the world.

Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them. So, why work at Flinders?

• 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options
• Flexible working arrangements
• Wide range of professional development activities and services
• We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff
• Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campus health care services, gym and childcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia).

Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment

Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies.

• Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan
• Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy

Prescribed Conditions for Employment

• A current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which is satisfactory to the University will be required by Flinders University before the successful applicant can commence in this position. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role.
• Please note that you may be required to provide evidence that you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, in line with the Flinders University COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

How to Apply and Information

• You are required to submit a CV, along with a Suitability Statement as a separate document. This should be no more than 3 pages, and address the Key Position Capabilities of the position description
• For more information regarding this position, please contact Yoichiro Otsuka.

Applications to be submitted before 10:00 pm (ACDT) 26 February 2026.

Please note, late applications and applications sent via agencies will not be accepted**.

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Certification

Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:

26 Feb 2026

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Flinders. Fearless.