Laboratory and Technical Services Manager

• The University of Melbourne
• Australia, Vic

About The University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne (UoM), the second oldest university in Australia, has been moulding students ever since it was built in 1853, over 160 years ago. It is known internationally as...

Job no: 0062889
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full-time; Continuing
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering and IT (FEIT)
Salary: SM1 competitive salary plus 17% super

• Make your mark on the University of Melbourne's Laboratory and Technical service teaching and research through lab management
• Build and lead a new function within the Faculty of Engineering and IT
• Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families

About the Role
The laboratory and technical services function delivers a range of services across research, teaching and workshop spaces with the key objective being smooth facilitation and support of teaching and research activities within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT).

Through the FEIT2025 strategy, the faculty has set a clear mandate to build on its already strong research and teaching & learning performance to cement its position as a leader in addressing everchanging global challenges.

The FEIT strategy includes investment in major campus developments, such as Fishermans Bend, Melbourne Connect, Next Tech Building over >$750m over a 10-year period and beyond. With this significant investment a step-change is required in how the faculty utilises laboratory space, and how lab users are supported to ensure they maximise the benefits from new campus space.

To enable this, a step-change is required in how the faculty utilises laboratory and teaching space and the Laboratory and Technical Services Manager will lead the way in high-quality teaching and research services. As the Laboratory and Technical Services Manager, you will provide leadership to cluster leads, drive collaboration, and ensure seamless alignment between lab operations and faculty objectives.

This key role reports directly to the Head of Infrastructure, FEIT.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Participate as a member of the FEIT technical and laboratory services leadership team to ensure technical services are in place to support achievement of teaching and research objectives.
• Provide direction to and oversee the performance of all cluster leads to deliver operations that support the teaching and research objectives of the technical and laboratory services.
• Provide coaching and professional consultative support to the cluster leads to support quality practice and a continuous improvement ethos across the clusters.
• Manage the laboratory services budget in line with the FEIT strategic plan and direction to meet project and faculty requirements.

Who We Are Looking For
We seek a dynamic leader with exceptional leadership and communication skills to manage a large team of diverse professional staff and collaborate with the faculty’s academic leadership team. You will leverage your strategic thinking and decision-making abilities in a complex environment, ensuring adherence to OHS regulations and scientific integrity within multidisciplinary labs.

You will also have:

• A relevant degree or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and educational training supporting teaching and research facilities in the higher education and/or industry R&D sectors specific to the Engineering & IT cluster disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience successfully leading a large high performing multidisciplinary team to deliver quality teaching and research services in the higher education and/or industry R&D sectors in an Engineering & IT discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively managing an operating budget over $2m.
• Demonstrated experience in operationalising new technical environments within Engineering & IT disciplines that support teaching and research and/or industry R&D.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Australian occupational health and safety legislation and laboratory regulatory and statutory requirements.

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.

This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.

Your New Team – “FEIT Laboratory and Technical Function “
The laboratory and technical function delivers a range of services across research, teaching and other technical spaces. The function’s key objective is the smooth facilitation and support of academic and research activities within the FEIT. The Laboratory and Technical Services team sits within this function, and involves five laboratory clusters:

• Mechatronics, electronics and digital,
• Fluid dynamics, energy & propulsion,
• Structural, geotechnical & environmental,
• Chemical, materials and manufacturing and
• Biomedical & Bioengineering.

What We Offer YouIn addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page

About the University of Melbourne
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn .

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the employee listed on the first page of the Position Description found below, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

Join Us
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and response to each of the essential Selection Criteria (listed in Position Description) and how it relates to the role requirement

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Susan Bradley via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au , ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.