Senior Research Assistant – Dust & Respiratory Health Program
The University of Queensland – St Lucia QLD
We're seeking a Senior Research Assistant to play a key role in advancing the Dust and Respiratory Health Program. This is an exciting opportunity to apply your expertise in occupational hygiene, mining, mineralogy, microscopy, occupational health or related disciplines to research that makes a difference.
As part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team, you'll provide specialist technical and research expertise across the entire research life cycle—helping deliver high‑quality outcomes in a rapidly expanding field with significant growth potential.
Key Responsibilities
* Prepare samples for redeposition and microscopy analysis, including PVC filter processing, particle extraction, laboratory redeposition, and adherence to established protocols.
* Manage MLA and FEG‑SEM file workflows, including organising datasets, maintaining naming conventions, tracking sample progress, and ensuring files are correctly stored and retrievable.
* Follow and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for redeposition, sample preparation, and data handling to ensure consistency and high analytical quality.
* Conduct quality checks on MLA outputs, including mineral maps, particle classifications, and artefact identification.
* Interpret microscopy and particle‑by‑particle datasets to support project reporting, including identifying trends, validating mineral associations, and extracting key indicators for health‑risk interpretation.
* Use coding (Python, R, MATLAB or similar) to clean, process, and analyse large MLA datasets and to generate figures, tables, and visual outputs for reports, publications and presentations.
* Support training for students or collaborators in redeposition sample‑preparation methods and data workflows as required.
* Maintain laboratory safety standards, chemical handling procedures and compliance with UQ protocols during sample preparation.
* Mentor junior research assistants and students.
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 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 hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times and purchased leave
* Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance and access to our Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their immediate family
* Career development opportunities – access to exclusive internal vacancies and our Study for Staff programme
* On‑campus childcare options
* Affordable parking (from just $6.40 a day)
* Salary packaging options
About You
* Bachelor's degree in chemistry, materials science, geology, environmental science, engineering, occupational hygiene or a related field (or equivalent experience).
* Experience with laboratory‑based sample preparation (e.g., microscopy prep, filter handling, mineralogical or particulate sample processing).
* Strong data‑management skills, including experience with large analytical or imaging datasets, file organisation, naming conventions and accurate record‑keeping.
* Demonstrated ability to interpret scientific datasets, particularly microscopy, mineralogy or particle‑characterisation data.
* Experience with coding for data analysis (Python, R, MATLAB or similar), including cleaning, transforming and visualising complex datasets.
* Excellent attention to detail, especially in following and improving SOPs for sample prep and data workflows.
* Ability to work independently in a structured laboratory environment while contributing collaboratively to a multidisciplinary project team.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing data summaries, figures and supporting content for technical reports or publications.
The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre‑employment checks, including right to work in Australia.
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 Dr Nikky LaBranche at ***********@uq.edu.au.
Application Inquiries
For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at ******@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (R‑58632) 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're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact ******@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 that have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don't 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 Tuesday 6 January 2026 at 11:00pm AEST (R‑58632). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week commencing Monday 12 January 2026.
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