Laboratory Manager

Job Description:

Pūhanga Matū, Tukanga | Department of Chemical and Process Engineering
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Continuing (permanent) position
• Full-time – 37.5 hours per week

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!
He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Laboratory Manager? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

As Laboratory Manager, you will play a critical role in supporting teaching, research, and external engagement within the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering and associated Mechanical Engineering laboratories. You will lead the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of laboratories, ensuring high-quality technical services, maintaining specialised analytical equipment, and enabling outstanding learning and research outcomes.

This is a hands-on, highly varied role where you will collaborate with academic staff, students, and external partners, while championing health, safety, and operational excellence across multiple laboratory environments.

Mōu | Who You Are

A successful applicant will hold a current Hazardous Substance Certification and will have the following:

• A Bachelor’s degree (NZQA Level 7 or equivalent) in Science, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• At least three (3) years’ experience in a laboratory management or senior technical role, with responsibility for day-to-day laboratory operations.
• A current First Aid Certificate.
• Demonstrated experience operating, servicing, and maintaining analytical and general laboratory equipment, including documenting maintenance schedules, fault diagnosis, and corrective actions.
• Demonstrated responsibility for developing, reviewing, and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for laboratory equipment and processes, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Practical experience using Chemwatch or an equivalent chemical safety management database, including chemical inventories, SDS management, and hazard compliance.
• Evidence of maintaining high professional and quality standards, including ongoing engagement in relevant training, certification, or professional development.
• Demonstrated ability to identify operational or safety issues, assess risk, and implement effective solutions or improvements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, evidenced through clear technical documentation, reporting, and effective interaction with staff and stakeholders.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

The Department of Chemical and Process Engineering (CAPE) is driven by a desire to make the world a materially better place, optimising the production and manufacture of life's necessities.

We aim to continually improve our teaching and our internationally recognised research programme by attracting and retaining highly skilled academic and support staff, expanding our facilities, and providing service to the engineering profession and to the community at large.

For more information about our School and team, please visit us here.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

We offer a range of benefits, for more information, please visit us: here. (For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit here)

The closing date for this position is: 17 April 2026 (midnight, NZ time)*Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.*

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency or hold a valid NZ work visa to be considered for this role.

Job Details

Reference #	31230
Posted on	13 Apr 2026
Closes on	17 Apr 2026 23:55
Location(s)	Christchurch
Expertise	Engineering
Job level(s)	Experienced, Management
Work type(s)	Continuing (Permanent) full-time

Posted: 13/04/2026