Jobs and Careers

Technical Officer

• Play a pivotal role in restoring seagrass habitats
• Practice hands-on fieldwork and cutting-edge laboratory research
• Full time, Fixed-Term role (June 2026) based in Hobart

About the opportunity

The Technical Officer will undertake laboratory and field work to support the restoring of seagrass for the conservation of the red handfish. This will include investigating optimal conditions needed for seed storage, propagation, and out-planting. The Technical Officer will support the routine aquaculture for seagrass, assisting with running laboratory-based experimentation, culture system maintenance and construction, purchasing consumables and liaise with external contractors, and other Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) aquaculture staff to facilitate seagrass seed collection, outplanting, and monitoring. The position also includes a minor component of assisting in red handfish husbandry. The fieldwork associated with this position will include marine surveys conducted by diving for red handfish, snorkelling and wading/intertidal work for seagrass.

What you’ll do:

• Undertake aquaculture husbandry primarily for seagrass, including conducting experiments for seagrass culturing and outplanting.
• Assist in husbandry and wild food collections for red handfish using nets, traps, sieves.
• Under general supervision assist with aquarium build.
• Provide technical support to researchers when conducting fieldwork.  
• Provide technical support for researchers including managing data files and records and contribute to technical report writing and data summaries.
• Undertake weekend work on a rostered basis.

­What we’re looking for:

• Proven skillset for aquaculture husbandry, including experience with RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) construction and maintenance.
• Experience with data collection including equipment used for water quality monitoring.
• Proven ability to work at sea.
• Experience in monitoring and reporting, implementing procedures, and maintaining accurate records.
• Demonstrated high level of dedication to work duties.
• Ability to effectively supervise, organise and conduct fieldwork in the marine environment.

Qualification and Licences:

• Completion of bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of relevant work experience and/or education/training.
• Current Australian driver’s licence.
• Current First Aid certificate (or ability to obtain).
• Open water SCUBA licence, including Scientific Diver qualification (or ability to meet UTAS dive register requirements).

Salary details

Appointment to this role will be at HEO 5 and will have a total remuneration package of up to $102,190 comprising base salary within the range of $78,210 to $87,342 plus 17% superannuation.

How to Apply

• To apply online, please provide your CV and 1-2-page cover letter outlining your interest in the role, skills, capabilities and experience.  You do not need to separately address the success profile criteria.
• For further information about this position, please contact Doctor Andrew Trotter, Senior Research Fellow - Aquaculture Production, Andrew.Trotter@utas.edu.au  or 03 6226 8215
• Please visit https://www.utas.edu.au/jobs/applying for our guide to applying and details on the recruitment process.
• Please refer to the attached Position Description Below for full details.

 Position Description - 500953 -Technical Officer.pdf

Applications close Monday, 14 April 2025, 11.55pm

To be eligible for this position, you are required to have Australian or New Zealand citizenship, permanent residency or a current valid visa that allows you to fulfil the requirements of this role.