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.

Role highlights

• Contribute to Australia’s frontline animal disease preparedness
• Apply specialist bacteriology and serology skills in PC3 laboratories
• Deliver high‑quality diagnostics supporting biosecurity outcomes

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity

The Diagnosis, Surveillance and Response Program at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) provides diagnostic and research capabilities required to investigate and respond to newly emerging diseases affecting livestock and other animals. We are seeking a skilled laboratory diagnostic scientist to join the bacteriology team in the Diagnosis, Surveillance and Response Program.

As the Laboratory Diagnostic Technician you will be responsible for several aspects of diagnostic microbiology and serology, primarily assisting with classical bacteriology, molecular assays, and some serology-based assays such as ELISA, IFAT, and CFT.

You will work in microbiologically secure (PC3) laboratories and be responsible for delivering outputs across a range of quality-assured laboratory diagnostic services. In particular, the work will include disease surveillance, bacteriology, serology and health certification testing for exotic and infectious diseases of veterinary significance, testing for sterility and freedom from contamination of biological materials intended for veterinary use, and associated laboratory housekeeping activities.

Please note that, due to the nature of the role, you will be required to meet ACDP’s microbiological security and any other additional security assessment requirements, as well as be appropriately vaccinated.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Work in a microbiologically secure laboratory as part of a multi-disciplinary team with responsibilities and outputs supporting and delivering quality assured diagnostic testing services (ISO 17025) for a broad range of bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens, as well as the exclusion of emergency animal diseases, routine surveillance and biological samples testing.
• Contribute to quality assurance requirements, including reporting tests, maintaining up-to-date and accurate test records, and proficiency testing.
• Provide general laboratory support for housekeeping and maintenance activities.
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely and professional manner while maintaining an awareness of team diagnostic priorities and the flexibility to assist team workflow.
• Assist the Bacteriology Team Leader, Innocuity Technical Manager and Veterinary Investigation Team by providing oral and written advice upon request.
• As required, work independently or collaboratively with colleagues on assigned activities, including experimental design, implementation and timely completion of work.
• Perform other duties as directed.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Geelong, VIC - Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP)

Salary: AU$100k – AU$113k per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite, full time.

Reference: 102822

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• A Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree or equivalent relevant work experience in Biological Sciences or a related discipline
• Demonstrated record of technical competence and achievement in laboratory diagnostic testing requiring skills in microbiology or serology, preferably in animal health.
• An ability to plan and schedule laboratory workflow and address underlying issues of complex and ill-defined problems in a timely and technically sound manner.
• Experience working independently and co-operatively as a member of a larger project team, and forming and maintaining effective and respectful relationships with a range of colleagues and collaborators.
• High-level interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document results and communicate effectively with colleagues and clients to meet project goals and timelines.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to contribute novel ideas and approaches supporting scientific investigations.
• Demonstrated ability to pay close attention to detail in a microbiology laboratory setting

Desirable

• Experience in other laboratory diagnostic testing areas, including molecular microbiology, mycology, parasitology (including protozoa) and tissue culture.
• Knowledge and experience in the requirements for quality assurance and quality systems in diagnostic testing.
• Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management System data entry and reporting.

For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the Position Description.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

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 clearance requirements.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to apply

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close

Wednesday 13th May 2026, 11:59pm AEST