UQ

Senior Laboratory Technician in Protein Purification and Characterisation

St Lucia Campus Full time

About This Opportunity 

Be part of a world-class initiative funded by the ARC Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration – Alzheimer’s Disease (MIND-AD). We are seeking a motivated Senior Laboratory Technician to support groundbreaking efforts in designing and testing novel computationally engineered proteins aimed at key targets in neurodegeneration.

Key responsibilities will include:

  • Responsibilities: Expressing and purifying proteins using bacterial systems, performing biochemical assays to analyse protein–protein interactions, and supporting daily lab operations such as equipment maintenance, ordering supplies, and managing chemicals and waste. You will also troubleshoot experiments, prepare reports, assist with site work, and provide training and technical guidance to students and researchers.

  • Safety: Ensure high standards of workplace health and safety through risk management, inductions, supervision, training records, inventory administration, and incident reporting. Monitor compliance with university laboratory requirements, including audits and quarantine procedures, and ensure safe design principles are applied to all laboratory equipment and activities.

  • Operational and Administration: Coordinate equipment requests, maintain consumables and inventories, and ensure audit and maintenance schedules are met. Contribute to budgeting and procurement for consumables, equipment and service contracts, assist in supervising casual lab staff, and liaise with internal and external clients.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

  • Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave

  • 17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading

  • Access to flexible working arrangements including flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight.

  • Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family

  • Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program

  • On campus childcare options

  • Affordable parking (from just $6.40 a day)

  • Salary packaging options

About You

  • Completion of a relevant degree in Biochemistry or Cell Biology with subsequent experience.

  • Experience in the area of protein expression and purification

  • Experience with any of the following methods would be desirable. (i) Biophysical methods to analyse molecular interactions. (ii) Protein crystallisation and/or structure determination. (iii) Protein design and computational biology.

  • Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues with a high level of communication and interpersonal skills.

  • Willing to accept communal responsibilities.

  • Ability to learn new experimental procedures (with appropriate supervision).

  • Attention to detail in carrying out experimental procedures and careful documentation of experimental work.

  • Sound organisational and problem-solving skills.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia.

Work Rights: You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Brett Collins b.collins@imb.uq.edu.au.

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 
 

Want to Apply? 

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

  • Resume

  • A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We are committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information 

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who do not meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close Saturday 3 January 2026 at 11:00pm AEST (R-56780).