"Technical Officer, Surface Analysis Laboratory"

Technical Officer, Surface Analysis Laboratory

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Job no: 538123
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Laboratory Technician, Engineer, Research Infrastructure

• X-Ray Facility | Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre (MWAC)
• Full-time (35 hours per week) | 2-year fixed term contract
• $103,866-$123,302+ 17% superannuation

Why Your Role Matters:

The Surface Analysis Laboratory sits within the X-Ray Facility in the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre (MWAC), part of the Division of Research & Enterprise at UNSW. The Laboratory specialises in advanced surface characterisation using:

• X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
• Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS)
• Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS)

The facility supports a diverse research community across UNSW and collaborates with universities and research institutes across Australia and internationally. This is a highly specialised environment. All three major instruments are manufactured in Europe and, due to the absence of local service teams in Australia, laboratory staff take primary responsibility for instrument maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimisation, working closely with manufacturers’ remote technical support teams.

Reporting to the Director, X-Ray Facility, you will provide specialist technical expertise, maintain complex analytical systems, train and support researchers, and ensure the safe and efficient operation of the laboratory.

About UNSW:

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. We are a large organisation with a diverse and highly talented community doing extraordinary work. We are driven to be thoughtful, practical and purposeful in all we do, and this collective approach is what gives our work impact. It is also why UNSW is consistently ranked among the world’s top 20 universities in the QS World University Rankings and is a proud member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight. If you’re seeking a career where you can thrive, be challenged and contribute to meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Benefits and Culture:

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• Career development opportunities
• 17% superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)
• Affordable on-campus parking

Who You Are:

Level 6 position:

You have a relevant tertiary qualification in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline and can demonstrate the following:

• At least 3 years’ experience maintaining and servicing laboratory equipment
• Experience with high-vacuum systems and surface analysis instrumentation (XPS, UPS, ToF-SIMS preferred)
• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to independently diagnose and resolve technical issues
• Experience in sample preparation for vacuum-based analytical systems
• Ability to interpret and process surface analysis data using relevant software
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A strong commitment to safety and compliance

Level 7 – Senior Technical Officer (in addition to the above)

• Advanced expertise in XPS and/or ToF-SIMS
• Ability to provide specialised research support across diverse materials applications
• Experience initiating or contributing to collaborative research projects
• High-level consultation and stakeholder engagement skills
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capability, including informed decision-making regarding experimental design and instrumentation issues

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter, addressing the Skills and Experience required, before Thursday 12th March 2026. A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@ UNSW.

Pre-Employment Checks

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks: -

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

Contact: Shiree Thomas, Talent Acquisition Partner e: shiree.thomas@unsw.edu.au

*Please apply through the application portal and not via the contact above.*

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Position Description

Advertised: 18 Feb 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 12 Mar 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time