Scientific Officer – Materials Characterisation & Cleanroom Operations

• Australian National Fabrication Facility, Queensland Node (ANFF-Qld), based at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position through to 30 June 2028.
• Base salary will be in the range $106,709.01 to $116,198.52 + 17% super (HEW Level 7).
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

The Australian National Fabrication Facility, Queensland Node (ANFF-Qld) is seeking an experienced and collaborative Scientific Officer to strengthen its materials characterisation capability and support safe, reliable cleanroom operations. Working within a connected research infrastructure team, you will take technical ownership of specialist equipment, enable researchers and industry users to achieve high-quality outcomes, and contribute to an inclusive environment where expertise is shared and new capabilities are developed together.

Reporting to the ANFF-Qld Facility Manager, the position will have two primary areas of responsibility:

Approximately 60% – Materials Characterisation Technical Ownership: Primary ownership and operation of assigned materials characterisation tools and systems, including user training, calibration, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, technical support and capability development.

Approximately 40% – Cleanroom Operational Support: Supporting effective day-to-day cleanroom operations, including chemicals, PPE, consumables, inventory, chemical waste and maintaining a safe, clean and well-organised laboratory environment.

The position will work closely with ANFF-Qld technical staff, AIBN infrastructure teams, researchers, students and industry users

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Act as primary technical owner for assigned materials characterisation tools and systems, including GPC, FTIR and other relevant analytical or characterisation techniques, based on facility operational requirements.
• Manage the full operational lifecycle of assigned equipment, including user access, training and competency assessment, calibration, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, service coordination, performance monitoring and equipment reliability.
• Provide specialist technical support and consultation to researchers and industry users, including sample preparation, measurement methodology, data quality and appropriate use of characterisation techniques.
• Develop, maintain and continuously improve SOPs, risk assessments, training materials, equipment records and quality documentation for assigned tools and technical processes.
• Contribute to the development, optimisation and implementation of new characterisation methodologies, processes and technical capabilities, and support knowledge transfer across the ANFF-Qld team.
• Support cleanroom operations by maintaining appropriate stocks of chemicals, PPE, laboratory materials and consumables, including purchasing, receiving, restocking, inventory monitoring and usage records through relevant UQ systems.
• Coordinate the safe storage, handling and disposal of cleanroom chemicals and chemical waste in accordance with UQ, AIBN and facility safety requirements and procedures.
• Maintain a high standard of cleanroom organisation and operational readiness, including PPE stations, consumable storage, chemical cabinets, sticky mats and other routine cleanroom requirements.
• Serve as primary, joint or backup technical owner for other relevant characterisation, imaging, metrology or micro/nanofabrication equipment where required or as assigned by Facility Manger.
• Contribute to RIMS administration, operational reporting, safety, quality and continuous improvement activities.
• Work collaboratively with ANFF-Qld and AIBN staff, researchers, students, industry clients and other stakeholders, and undertake other reasonable technical or operational duties consistent with the scope and work level of the position and ANFF-Qld operational requirements.

You will have: 

• A tertiary qualification in chemistry, materials science, physics, engineering or a closely related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training and professional experience.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience working with materials characterisation, analytical or metrology equipment, preferably within a research infrastructure, and university, biomedical, semiconductor, advanced manufacturing or similar technical environment.
• Practical experience with one or more relevant characterisation techniques such as GPC, FTIR, spectroscopy, microscopy, surface characterisation or related materials analysis techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to take technical ownership of scientific equipment, including operation, calibration, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, fault diagnosis and coordination with equipment suppliers or service providers.
• Experience providing technical training, user onboarding and competency assessment, with the ability to communicate equipment operation, scientific methods and safety requirements clearly to users with different levels of experience.
• Demonstrated experience working safely in a cleanroom, PC2 laboratory or controlled laboratory environment, with sound knowledge of laboratory safety, chemical handling, risk assessment and waste-management requirements.
• Experience managing laboratory or cleanroom chemicals, consumables, PPE and inventory, including purchasing, stock monitoring, storage and replenishment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain high-quality technical documentation, including SOPs, risk assessments, equipment records, maintenance documentation and training materials.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with the ability to independently identify equipment or process issues, determine appropriate actions and escalate technical or safety risks when required.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with technical colleagues, researchers, students, industry users and other internal and external stakeholders.

ANFF-Qld is a not-for-profit research infrastructure facility established under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). ANFF is a network of eight nodes distributed across Australia, supported by over $200 million in investment in equipment, infrastructure, and personnel.

The Queensland Node (ANFF-Qld) is a state-of-the-art fabrication facility specialising in microfluidics, organic electronics and optoelectronics, biomaterials, semiconductor, quantum and photonic technologies, novel materials, and advanced imaging and characterisation.

Its facilities are located within the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and the Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE) at The University of Queensland, as well as the Queensland Microtechnology Facility (QMF) at Griffith University. ANFF-Qld also facilitates access to other ANFF sites and the broader national network across Australian universities.

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 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 Ethan Aung - anffq.manager@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. 

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume and cover letter summarising how your background aligns to 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, background checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

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 criteria 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 18 October 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-69206). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week commencing 27 October 2026.