Principal Research Technician Full-time

Principal Research Technician

The Principal Research Technician is a senior professional role within the Critical Care Research Group, working as part of a collaborative and highly accomplished multidisciplinary team of clinicians, scientists, engineers, nurses and allied health professionals. This role provides advanced technical and scientific expertise across multiple research projects, supporting high-impact research that advances understanding of critical illness and improves patient care.

You will play a central role in enabling research excellence through expert laboratory leadership, coordination, and operational oversight, while enjoying a high level of autonomy and flexibility aligned with outcomes.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing specialist scientific and technical expertise to maximise research outcomes in critical care medicine and cell and molecular biology.
• Leading complex research housekeeping and laboratory management activities, including compliance, waste management, chemical inventories and sample governance.
• Contributing to the design, implementation and optimisation of research methodologies, protocols and studies in collaboration with senior researchers.
• Coordinating research outputs, including contributions to publications, grant applications, ethics submissions and mentoring of junior staff.

You are an experienced and motivated senior research technician or laboratory manager who thrives in a dynamic research environment and values collaboration, rigour and impact. You bring strong technical capability, leadership maturity and a proactive mindset to support research teams to deliver at the highest level.

You will demonstrate:

• Completion of a postgraduate qualification in molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, cell biology or a related discipline.
• Extensive research-relevant knowledge and hands-on experience across a wide range of specialist and general research techniques.
• Proven experience leading or coordinating an effective technical or research support team.
• Practical laboratory experience in molecular, cellular and/or in vivo experimental systems.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and perform under pressure in a well-organised manner.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to work effectively with colleagues at all levels.
• A collaborative approach, with a demonstrated willingness to support and mentor others.
• Experience in experiment optimisation, working with clinical researchers and clinicians, and knowledge of animal handling.

As part of the UQ community, you'll 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, flexible and hybrid working options, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, affordable parking, and salary packaging.