Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Brisbane QLD
Salary: $95,438 - $108,360 a year
Position posted 7 days ago by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Overview
Step into a role where your expertise truly matters. Grow your technical and problem‑solving skills while helping protect Australia's plant health. Join a highly skilled national team that will support your decision making, challenge you to excel and invest in your professional growth.
Why you are important to us and what impact you will have on the Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division and the department's goal.
We protect Australia's plant health to support trade, the economy and the environment. Our division provides scientific advice, diagnostics, biosecurity training and risk assessments. We enable safe plant imports, strengthen systems and engage stakeholders. Surveillance and response are conducted at national entry points and approved sites, including northern Australia. We work closely with communities and Indigenous rangers to manage biosecurity risks, including in the Torres Strait.
Our scientists are on the front line of biosecurity, leading early detection and response for pests, diseases and weeds at entry points and across northern Australia. We deliver diagnostics, inspections and training that help stop biosecurity threats before they spread. By working with stakeholders and sharing expertise, we strengthen Australia's ability to protect its agriculture, environment and communities.
As the Senior Molecular Biologist you will work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver scientific services and provide operational and policy advice related to plant pest and disease molecular diagnostics at the department's border diagnostic laboratory in Brisbane.
Responsibilities
* Managing the delivery of molecular diagnostics, including supervision of staff, to ensure high-quality testing and technical advice.
* Carrying out molecular tests on samples, bioinformatics and interpreting results for samples submitted from biosecurity inspections, including invertebrates, fungi, bacteria, plants and other organisms, in accordance with department policies, procedures and the lab's quality system.
* Troubleshooting molecular tests and leading or assisting with validating and verifying new testing methods.
* Working with key teams within the Science & Surveillance (SSG), Plant Health Policy, other internal groups and external specialists.
* Helping to write and review documents and procedures that support the department's quality management system.
* Participating in working groups and network meetings and contributing to projects that support the department's strategic and operational goals.
* Maintaining and building skills through training, competency assessments and proficiency testing as required by the quality system.
* Promoting and following workplace health and safety policies and identifying and reporting WHS risks.
Ideal Candidate
* Proven ability to carry out molecular assays for species identification, especially terrestrial invertebrates using DNA sequencing.
* Understanding of taxonomy and how it relates to molecular diagnostics.
* Experience working in multidisciplinary teams, managing workloads in changing situations, resolving issues and making best use of team skills.
* Strong understanding of molecular assays, troubleshooting, and ability to teach these skills to technical staff.
* Experience analysing and reporting diagnostic data using workplace information systems.
* Understanding of WHS issues in a laboratory and other work environments.
* Ability to gather and use information to support the needs of a diagnostic laboratory, including seeking specialist advice and contributing technical expertise to operational, policy, innovation and quality outcomes.
* Initiative, self‑motivation and drive to meet personal and team goals on time.
* Strong ability to interpret scientific literature and put new diagnostic methods into practice.
* High-level skills in data recording, information analysis, report writing and contributing to work instructions and guidelines.
* Ability to build and maintain positive, respectful working relationships within the team and with external professionals, including giving and receiving constructive feedback.
* Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work independently to improve existing practices.
* Ability to provide timely, clear and accurate science‑based advice and to communicate effectively with a range of audiences in a regulatory setting.
Candidate must satisfy
* Hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle driver's licence.
* May be required to perform occasional out‑of‑hours and weekend work.
* Wear appropriate protective personal equipment, clothing and comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures.
Veteran Support – VetPaths
The Australian Public Service (APS) values the unique skills, perspectives, and experiences that veterans gain during their Australian Defence Force (ADF) employment and encourages veterans to apply. Support may be available to veterans transitioning to meaningful APS careers through participation in VetPaths, which offers a six‑month program that includes formal learning and development, career mentoring and activities for wellness and peer support.
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