Biorisk Management Senior Advisor

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

Child Safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

The Opportunity

• Provide advice, training and support to develop and implement biosafety and biosecurity systems in laboratories across APAC 
• Collaborate broadly across APAC to elevate biosafety standards and capability
• Bring your passion and enthusiasm for international development and capacity building to this role

CSIRO is Australia’s National Science Agency and is one of the world’s largest and most successful publicly funded R&D organisations. The Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) Business Unit is located at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in Geelong and is one of nine impact science business units in CSIRO. Our goal is to protect a healthy, productive and prosperous future for Australia’s animals and people by delivering world-renowned science that will further our understanding, preparedness and management of infectious diseases. The ACDP International Program (ACDP-IP), partners with multiple organisations across the APAC to build laboratory capacity, improve the quality of laboratory diagnostic services, and laboratory biosafety and biosecurity in the region. To know more, click on ACDP- global and about our partnerships, like project BICOLLAB and our established partnership with PNG here.

As the Biorisk Advisor, you will provide advice, training and support to develop and implement biosafety and biosecurity systems in laboratories across the Asia-Pacific. This will include assessing the biorisk needs for these labs and delivering training, advice and support to establish and implement systems and processes that are practical and sustainable. You will also work closely with the Biorisk Management team at ACDP to ensure consistency of standards and practices and, when required, provide support to this team.  The role will involve working in and providing training to overseas laboratories, either in person or virtually, as required to meet the project objectives of ACDP’s International Program. Overseas work will involve regular travel (every 2-3 months) of 1-2 weeks duration, potentially up to 3 weeks, in countries primarily in the Asia-Pacific region. If you are keen to explore more about this position do not hesitate to reach out to our team. There are some amazing things we are currently doing that you can read.

Your duties will include:

• Provide advice, training and support to establish biorisk systems to support implementation of ACDP-IP project activities and achievement of practical and sustainable outcomes. 
• Support the development of a good biosafety and biosecurity culture in partner laboratories, including establishment of Biorisk Management committees, Biorisk Management manuals and ensuring good scientific practice and regulatory compliance. 
• Foster strong, positive partnering relationships with collaborators through developing a thorough understanding of their respective biorisk needs and tailoring solutions to their environment and resources.
• Remain conversant with relevant regulations in the country where working, international and Australian Standards to provide current and accurate guidance and direction to partner laboratories. 
• Ability to travel and work in countries across the Asia-Pacific on a regular basis and enthusiasm to support biorisk management systems in low resource environments.
• Maintain connection and relationship to ACDP Biorisk Management team. Remain up to date with ACDP biorisk management systems and practices relevant to laboratories in low resource environments.

Location: Geelong, Victoria
Salary: AU$105k - AU$114k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term until 30th June 2027
Reference: 94068

To be considered you will need:

Essential:

1. A relevant Degree in Microbiological Sciences and/or equivalent experience in biorisk management. 
2. Proven experience in delivering expert advice, training and support in relevant areas of science or biosafety. 
3. Demonstrated ability to support projects, including independently planning, implementing and completing the required project activities and objectives to clients’ expectations.
4. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and co-operatively as a member of a larger project team and to form and maintain effective and respectful relationships with a range of colleagues and collaborators. 
5. Proven experience as a specialist advisor with high level interpersonal and communication skills to foster knowledge transfer, open communication, coaching and collaboration with colleagues and clients from various cultural backgrounds.
6. Willingness and ability to regularly travel overseas (every 2-3 months) for periods of between 1-2 weeks (potentially 3 weeks), to deliver project work and to provide structured training for overseas collaborators.

Desirable:

1. Previous experience working in in a laboratory under a biorisk management program or overseeing laboratory safety. 
2. Previous experience working overseas, particularly in low-resource environments. 

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and provide a National Police Check or equivalent, meet ACDP microbiological security and security assessment requirements, and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you. Balance

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

About CSIRO

At CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs, whether we are undertaking research, engaging with the public or nurturing future scientists in person or online. Source – CSIRO Child Safe policy 2023

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications Close

8th October 2023, 11:00pm AEST