Technical Officer - Physics

About the Role
We are currently seeking an experienced Technical Officer – Physics to join a leading education and research organisation on a contract basis through to 26 November 2026.

Working under the guidance of the Technical Coordinator, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operation, maintenance and safe running of specialist laboratories and technical workspaces supporting teaching and research activities.

This is a hands-on opportunity for a technically capable laboratory professional who can confidently manage laboratory operations, equipment, safety requirements and stakeholder support within a research or teaching environment.


Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of Physics and related laboratory spaces, including PC1/PC2 laboratories, gloveboxes, radiation laboratories, instrumentation and teaching and research facilities.
• Manage chemical waste, compressed gas cylinders and laboratory housekeeping requirements.
• Develop, maintain and implement documentation including SOPs, Safe Work Instructions, equipment risk assessments and chemical registers.
• Provide technical advice, guidance and training to laboratory users, including conducting and documenting inductions.
• Support the purchasing of equipment, instruments, consumables and other laboratory requirements.
• Manage and maintain laboratory equipment and infrastructure, ensuring items are serviced, maintained, bookable and fit for purpose.
• Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules and plans.
• Monitor consumable levels and coordinate the timely ordering and sourcing of required materials.
• Develop, implement and review safe work processes and risk assessments.
• Ensure laboratory activities and equipment comply with relevant OH&S legislation, industry standards and organisational policies.
• Identify areas of non-compliance and assist with developing and monitoring remediation plans.
• Assist with the acquisition, installation and commissioning of complex equipment and resources.
• Work collaboratively with technical, academic and professional teams to support teaching and research activities.
• Provide responsive and client-focused technical support to a diverse range of laboratory users.

About You
You will be a proactive and highly organised laboratory professional with strong technical knowledge and a practical approach to problem solving.
To be successful, you will have:

• Extensive experience using and maintaining general laboratory instrumentation within a research environment.
• Experience working with compressed gases, including connections, handling and safe transportation.
• Experience with glovebox facilities.
• Knowledge of chemicals and biological materials, including appropriate waste disposal processes.
• Proven experience working within a chemistry, chemical engineering, physics or related laboratory environment.
• Previous laboratory operations and maintenance experience, ideally within a teaching, research or higher education environment.
• Strong understanding of OH&S legislation, laboratory safety requirements and relevant industry standards.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work autonomously and take initiative.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across technical, academic and professional teams.
• A collaborative and client-focused approach to supporting laboratory users.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Degree or higher qualification in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics or a related discipline, together with relevant experience.
• Valid Working with Children Check is mandatory.
• Ability to work full-time onsite at the Melbourne CBD campus.

Apply Now
If you are an experienced Technical Officer with strong laboratory operations and safety experience and are looking for your next contract opportunity, we would love to hear from you.


At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, neurodiverse, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.

You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at https://www.chandlermacleod.com/diversity-and-inclusion.