Principal Consultant – Biosafety

• Health, Safety and Wellness
• Full-time, fixed-term position through to December 2028
• $106,709 to $116,199 + 17% super (HEW Level 7)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

Help enable world-class research by making complex biosafety requirements practical, proportionate and workable.

UQ is home to a diverse range of teaching and research involving biological materials, specialist laboratories and research facilities. Behind that work is a Biosafety Advisory team helping our researchers navigate biological risks safely, confidently and in line with regulatory requirements.

As a Principal Consultant, Biosafety, you’ll become a trusted specialist adviser across a portfolio of laboratories, facilities and research activities, working directly with researchers, supervisors and managers to find practical pathways for safe and compliant research.

This is much more than checking boxes. You’ll apply your scientific expertise and judgement to complex biological risk assessments, laboratory inspections, incident reviews, containment requirements and genetically modified organism dealings, translating technical and regulatory requirements into controls that work in real research environments.

You’ll also join the team at an important time, creating capacity to modernise biosafety systems, strengthen guidance and assurance tools, improve training and stakeholder communications, and support implementation of the R3 Lab Activity Module.

What will you get involved in?

·         Specialist biosafety advice: Partner with researchers, supervisors and managers to provide practical advice across a diverse portfolio of laboratories, facilities and research activities.

·         Risk and assurance: Lead biological risk assessments, facility inspections, incident reviews and corrective action monitoring, including assessment of low-risk genetically modified organism dealings and hazardous biological applications.

·         Turning regulation into practice: Interpret biological safety procedures, containment standards and regulatory requirements and translate them into proportionate controls for infectious agents, GMOs, biological samples and related materials.

·         Committee and governance support: Contribute specialist expertise to biosafety committee processes and support consistent, well-informed decision-making.

·         Continuous improvement: Help improve procedures, guidance, training materials, assurance tools and communications, while supporting the modernisation of UQ’s biosafety systems.

If you enjoy the point where science, risk and problem-solving meet, this is an opportunity to use your expertise to help researchers do ambitious work safely, rather than simply telling them what they can’t do.

You’re a biosafety or biological sciences professional who can combine strong technical knowledge with sound judgement and a practical approach.

You’ll be comfortable stepping into a laboratory, understanding the science and the risk, asking the right questions and working collaboratively with researchers to find an appropriate way forward.

You’ll bring:

·         A degree in biological sciences, microbiology, biotechnology or a related field, together with substantial relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

·         Specialist knowledge of biological safety, containment, biological risk assessment and laboratory compliance.

·         Experience leading inspections, risk assessments, compliance reviews or incident investigations in biological or laboratory environments.

·         The ability to interpret policies, procedures, containment standards and regulatory requirements and apply them practically within research and operational environments.

·         Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify systemic issues and develop practical, proportionate solutions.

·         High-level communication, consultation and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

·         The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and contribute effectively within a collaborative specialist team.

·         A genuine commitment to continuous improvement and supporting safe research practice.

·         Experience in a university or research institute, laboratory or facility management, biological compliance, Microsoft 365 or database systems will be highly regarded.

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, working together to create a better world. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available.

Enjoy up to 26 weeks paid parental and primary care leave, 17% super, 17.5% leave loading, flexible and hybrid working options, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, on-campus childcare, affordable parking and salary packaging.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Kerrin Henderson at k.henderson@uq.edu.au.

For application enquiries, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, quoting R-68937 in the subject line.

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume and cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the ‘About You’ section.

Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications and mandatory immunisations. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

This role involves entering laboratories and animal facilities where personal protective equipment must be worn and where exposure to animal allergens may occur. Immunisation against certain vaccine-preventable diseases, including hepatitis B where relevant to the work undertaken, may be required.

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.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ, and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing talent@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close Sunday 18 October 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-68937).