Biorisk Support Officer

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. 

Role highlights

• Deliver biosafety, biosecurity and biocontainment at ACDP
• Work across PC3/PC4 labs in regulatory compliance and applied biorisk management
• Support audits, permits, training and inactivation studies

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity 

As the Biorisk Support Officer, you will be part of the Biorisk Management Group at CSIRO ACDP, contributing to the delivery of critical biosafety, biosecurity and biocontainment services within a highly regulated, high‑containment facility.

You will leverage existing experience across PC3 and PC4 environmentsThe role combines laboratory‑based applied biorisk research with regulatory compliance, audit and permit support, inactivation studies, training activities and expert advisory work.

Working collaboratively in a specialist team, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden your biorisk awareness and capability, deepen your regulatory expertise and play a vital role in maintaining safe and compliant operations at a nationally significant facility.

Please note that, due to the nature of the role, you will be required to meet ACDP’s microbiological security and any other additional security assessment requirements, as well as be appropriately vaccinated.

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Undertake, as part of a small team but with frequent autonomous work, biorisk focussed research activities, including but not limited to; inactivation qualification, disinfectant efficacy, surface agent survivability. Work may be in support of facility operations; resident business units or commercial contract works in this general area. These activities will require work with various animal and human pathogens at Physical Containment level 3 (PC3) and potentially PC4.
• Maintain and contribute to ACDPs register of validated inactivation methods.
• Assist in preparation of manuscripts for publication in relation to inactivation, decontamination and disinfectant studies. Present findings at relevant national and international conferences.
• Look for opportunities to develop original experimental methods, equipment, software andconceptsin support of existing and further research.
• Oversee the activities of less experienced staff and or affiliates at PC3 and PC4 and provide on-the-job training, as required.
• Assist the Biorisk Management Officer (BMO) in a range of compliance activities including preparation for facility audits by key government regulators (OGTR, DAFF, SSBA). Undertaking of, and technical evaluation within administrative tasks, including the processing of import permit applications, biological material transfer approvals within ACDP and externally, IBC applications and other group-based tasks as required.
• Apply sound knowledge of relevant regulations and standards (OGTR, DAFF, SSBA, DEC) as well as Australian Standards, internal SOPs and policies to enable engagement with ACDP facility users in a manner consistent with the Biorisk Management Group role and function.
• Assist in the preparation, coordination and facilitation of biorisk management training as required.
• Provide advice and guidance in matters relating to laboratory implementation of biosecurity, biosafety, dealings with regulated materials and dual use considerations. Responding courteously and efficiently to requests, maintaining clear communication regarding mutual expectations and monitoring client satisfaction. Such interactions may be within the group, ACDP facility, wider CSIRO or with external clients. 
• Perform other duties as directed.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Geelong, VIC - Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP)

Salary: AU$100k – AU$113k per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule:  Specified term until 30 June 2027; Full time  

Reference: 102932

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• Relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant work experience in Biological Sciences.
• Demonstrated experience in Virology and Tissue Culture with a solid understanding of Risk Grouping of microorganisms and the risk control measures employed for safe working.
• Proficient awareness and knowledge of Australian standards for microbiological laboratories, regulations for work with Goods Subject to Biosecurity Control and guidelines relating to dealings with Genetically Modified Organisms and standards for handling Security Sensitive Biological Agents.
• Proven skills in experimental design, data collection, analysis, communication and presentation of research data.
• Confidence to exert influence in support of the biological security and safety culture at ACDP.

Desirable

• Experience in biosafety and biocontainment implementation.
• Experience working in PC3 & PC4 facilities will be highly valued.
• Experience in decontamination, inactivation and disinfectant studies.
• Experience with all aspects of facilitating work with genetically modified organisms and/or goods subject to biosecurity control.
• Experience in preparation of risk assessments for handling high risk group microorganisms.
• Experience or knowledge of the role of an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

 
For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the Position Description.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please let us know how we can support you.  

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Eligibility 

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens only. 

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character clearance requirements.

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. 

How to apply 

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close 

22nd July 2026, 11:59pm AEST