Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking to appoint an Animal Technician to assist in the Biocontainment Large Animal Facility (LAF) at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) Geelong.  The Large Animal Facility (LAF) capability is essential for the support of the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) Diagnostic Surveillance and Response Program response and research obligations and with Health and Biosecurity Business Unit currently working on COVID-19 vaccine development. 

• ​​​​​​Innovative and collaborative workplace with fantastic flexibility
• Fantastic team environment 
• Join CSIRO - Australia's National Science and Innovation Agency! 

As the Animal Technician, your responsibilities include the provision of animal husbandry, collection of samples from infected research animals, data collection and storage, liaison with scientists and veterinarians, promotion of animal welfare, and development of quality assurance systems. This work takes place in the microbiological containment facility and there is a particular focus on zoonotic diseases. 

Your duties will include:

• Apply knowledge of animal husbandry and behaviour in day-to-day activities.
• Following training, provide technical assistance to research activities involving animals within the microbiologically collection of biological samples such as blood and tissues form animals carrying infectious contained facility at CSIRO ACDP. Duties include conducting animal husbandry procedures and diseases.
• Improve animal welfare through innovation, astute observation, promotion of animal welfare principles and compliance with animal ethics committee approved protocols and facility policies.
• Undertake animal studies work under a compliance framework ensuring Animal Ethics Committee protocols and policies are adhered to. Provide advice to scientific staff about animal welfare and ethical standards for AEC applications.
• Contribute to the success of research activities through effective liaison with team members, scientists, laboratory technicians and veterinarians; thorough planning of activities; attention to technical details; excellent record keeping; appropriate decision making and support of a strong safety culture.
• Develop and implement improved monitoring and record systems for animals used in research to facilitate compliance and certification of the animal facilities to a relevant quality standard.

Location: Geelong, Victoria

Salary: AU$66,163 to AU$84,207 pa (pro-rata for part-time) + up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Indefinite

Reference: 88941

To be considered you will need:

Essential:

• A Bachelor of Animal related science or Agriculture, or a Diploma Qualification with demonstrated relevant experience in animal husbandry and animal behaviour.
• Experience with husbandry and handling a broad range of species such as domestic livestock, laboratory animals and/or wildlife.
• Demonstrated competence in routine husbandry and management procedures in a veterinary or medical research or diagnostic facility, or on a farm.
• Willingness to work with animals infected with serious zoonotic disease agents, following appropriate training including the wearing of personal protective equipment including biocontainment suits.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records and understand the purpose of such records in a research and diagnostic facility.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively and harmoniously in a team, with an understanding of the basis of a successful team, and also an ability to work independently towards team goals. 
• A flexible approach to be available as part of the team roster for weekends and at times after hours work.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, maintaining the highest welfare standards.

Desirable:

• Experience in working within a quality assurance system. 
• Demonstrated ability to perform technical procedures such as the collection of biological samples from animals.
• Experience in working at high levels of bio-containment (BSL3 or 4).
• An understanding of working with Animal Ethics and Protocols.
• Computer literacy and data management skills.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens only. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

To enter a CSIRO site, CSIRO will require you to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (or show a valid medical exemption from vaccination). If you are unable to meet this requirement, then you must return a negative result on a Rapid Antigen Test (within 48 hours prior to attending site) and wear a face mask whilst on the CSIRO site. These requirements apply if you are attending a CSIRO site as part of a recruitment process.

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications Close

30th October 2022, 11:00pm AEST