About This Opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework laboratory teaching and learning across chemical engineering programs, including chemical, biological, environmental and metallurgical engineering.
Working as part of a team within the School of Chemical Engineering, you will help develop and maintain engineering practice facilities in teaching laboratories and pilot hall. In this role, you will also contribute to practical classes, and hands-on learning experiences that enhance student experience within a School recognised internationally as a leader in chemical engineering, with a strong and collaborative culture.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Provide advice on practical teaching capability and investment, aligned with the School’s teaching and learning objectives and actively promote the School’s practical teaching capabilities.
- Collaborate with academic and course teams to develop, evaluate and improve innovative laboratory experiments, practicals, and learning resources that meet course objectives, enhance student learning and support an engaging experience across undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs.
- Liaise proactively with course coordinators to identify and coordinate the overall requirements for laboratory classes, including scheduling, equipment, materials, technical support and resourcing, to support safe, efficient and high-quality practical teaching delivery.
- Maintain a strong client-service focus by liaising and communicating proactively with academic staff to ensure practical teaching objectives are achieved and continuously improved.
- Manage the day-to-day operations of practical teaching laboratories, ensuring full compliance with University HSW requirements and maintaining facilities to a high standard of organisation, tidiness and safety.
- Prepare, set up, pack down and safely store teaching materials, chemicals and equipment; procure and manage consumables and inventories; and coordinate installation, maintenance, servicing and troubleshooting of equipment to ensure reliable and uninterrupted practical teaching.
- Maintain current knowledge of laboratory methodologies, equipment and practical teaching requirements to support high-quality teaching delivery.
- Conduct laboratory and facility inductions, maintain accurate induction records, and provide training and instruction to students, tutors and academic staff in the safe and effective use of laboratory equipment, instruments and chemicals.
- Develop, review and maintain practical teaching documentation—including risk assessments, SOPs and induction records — ensuring all documents are accurate, current and compliant with University and legislative requirements.
- Contribute to a collegial, collaborative and high-performance culture by engaging in School activities, meetings and communities of practice, and ensuring effective teamwork, role overlap and backup coverage within the practical teaching team.
- Participate in outreach activities, information sessions and workshops for schools and external organisations as required.
- Any other duties as reasonably directed by your supervisor.
About You
- Tertiary qualifications in science or engineering, a chemical engineering degree would be particularly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience working in teaching or research laboratories, including chemical preparation, sampling and chemical analysis techniques.
- Sound knowledge of laboratory equipment, methodologies, experimental facilities and practical teaching processes, including an understanding of pedagogical principles for laboratory-based learning.
- Demonstrated knowledge and application of laboratory health, safety and compliance requirements, including the ability to conduct risk assessments and instruct students, tutors and academic staff in safe laboratory practices and the use of equipment, chemicals and facilities.
- Demonstrated ability to explain and demonstrate practical activities and provide clear technical guidance to students, tutors and academic staff to support effective laboratory-based learning.
- Ability to plan, organise and manage laboratory resources, respond to fluctuating workloads and work both autonomously and under limited supervision.
- Strong teamwork skills, supported by positive communication and a demonstrated ability to contribute to a constructive and inclusive workplace culture.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage constructively with academic staff, students, contractors and other stakeholders.
- Technical proficiency in digital control systems, data-logging applications and laboratory software, with experience using LabVIEW or the ability to rapidly acquire proficiency.
- Experience using university systems such as UniFi, UQ Safe and ChemWatch, or the ability to rapidly acquire proficiency.
- Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.
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, 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, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, on‑campus childcare, affordable parking, and salary packaging.
Interested?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Melanie Gunn via sm@chemeng.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.
Other Information
Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia, criminal history checks, mandatory immunisations and Blue Card 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 are 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 are 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 on Thursday 19 November 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-69096). Interviews will likely be held on either the 7th or 8th of December 2026.
