Insectary Technician

Employment Type: Full time (35 hour a week)

Duration: 1-year Fixed Term contract (Full working rights required for duration of contract)

Remuneration: $77K - $87K p.a. (+17% super and leave loading)

Location: Sydney, NSW

The Organisation

The School of Medical Sciences (SoMS) within the Faculty of Medicine & Health is one of the largest teaching and research intensive Schools at UNSW. It is a vibrant School, a place of work for over 240 staff, more than 150 higher degree students, and many thousands of undergraduate students. As well as its location in the Wallace Wurth building the School is physically linked to the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, which includes access to advanced imaging equipment through the Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility as well as flow cytometry. SoMS also maintains close linkages with the Lowy Cancer Research Centre, the Kirby Institute, the Biological Sciences Building and Single Molecule Science.

The Baum lab (www.baumlab.com) within SoMS aims to translate fundamental discoveries in parasite biology into interventions that will aid the control and eventual eradication of malaria; the lab is passionate about fundamental discovery research, point-of-care diagnostics and the long-hoped for dream of an efficacious, easy to deploy malaria vaccine.

Why this role matters  

The role of the Insectary Technician is to provide technical support to all aspects of the new Wallace Wurth Insectary, leading the work of mosquito husbandry and animal-based infection protocols within the Baum lab at the UNSW Kensington Campus. The role is fundamental to the Baum lab’s malaria vaccine program.

The role reports to the Head of School, Professor Jake Baum, School of Medical Sciences and has no direct reports.

Who you are:

• A Degree, Associate Diploma, TAFE Certificate or equivalent in Animal Studies or Animal Technology with at least 2 years’ subsequent relevant work experience or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training and/or experience.
• Demonstrated experience and current skill set in insectary husbandry, preferably in the maintenance of a mosquito colony.
• Demonstrated experience and current skill set in the preparation, induction and anaesthesia of small laboratory animals for a variety of surgical and/or feeding procedures.
• Demonstrated relevant experience in the post-operative care, monitoring and recovery of small laboratory animals and familiarity with current humane euthanasia methods for small laboratory animals.
• A working understanding of animal ethics processes and the regulatory framework governing the use of animals for scientific purposes.
• Demonstrated ability to be resourceful and adapt existing procedures to achieve productive outcomes across multiple facilities, from animal through insectary facilities, within UNSW.
• Genuine commitment to the ethical care and welfare of animals enrolled in the laboratory research protocols.
• Availability and willingness to work weekends and public holidays on a roster system.
• Advanced time management, organisational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to meet deadlines.

How to apply:

Please click Apply now to submit your application online. Applications should not be sent to the contact listed below. Can you please provide a resume and a cover letter addressing your interest in the role.  The full position description can be found here.

Contact (job related questions only)

Professor Jake Baum or Dr Michael Johnson

Applications close:  Sunday, 8th May 2022 before 11.30pm.

UNSW aspires to be the exemplar Australian university and employer of choice for people from diverse backgrounds. UNSW aims to ensure equality in recruitment, development, retention and promotion of staff, and that no-one is disadvantaged on the basis of their gender, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or identity. We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria to apply.