Public and Environmental Health Reference Laboratories are looking for a Chief Scientist, Public Health Microbiology to join their team. In this role you will work in collaboration with the PEH leadership team, lead the Public Health Microbiology Laboratories to ensuring a high-quality, safe, and well governed service provision. You will also provide leadership in the field of public health microbiology to the state of Queensland Health and nationally. And provide expert, authoritative, epidemiological, and strategic advice at a local, state and national level.

Job details

What you'll do

• Apply high level public health microbiology knowledge and decision-making skills for professional service delivery and consultancy services as required.
• Drive strategic planning for meeting the future service challenges and of the operational scope of the laboratory.
• Support, foster and contribute to public health microbiology research and surveillance projects of critical importance to Queensland Health supporting the enhanced epidemiological typing of bacteria, improved capability in laboratory outbreak investigations and the provision of essential data to Queensland Health and other Disease Intelligence networks or agencies.
• Provide active leadership in the state-wide professional development of staff and students within the field of public health microbiology by providing formal education at the local, State and National levels.
• Manage the provision of expert training and guidance for scientists and clinicians looking to build specialist capability in their given microbiological area of expertise.

About you

We are searching for someone who has: 

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent-level qualification in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated personal qualities of leadership and knowledge, expertise and skill for the strategic management of human, financial and physical resources of a specialised Public Health Microbiology laboratory.
• Demonstrated ability to apply an expert level of knowledge and skills in complex contemporary public health microbiological practice in a strategic State-wide and National capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to provide authoritative counsel in matters relating to public health microbiology to stakeholders both within and outside of the discipline, across Queensland Health.
• Demonstrated ability to lead or investigate complex public health microbiological problems and apply high-level public health microbiological expertise into the development of policies guidelines and professional standards.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership in a laboratory that meets or exceeds NATA requirements and to provide expert training and guidance to specialist-level scientists looking to build expert microbiological expertise. 

Why work with us?

Work alongside passionate professionals in a supportive and inclusive environment that values people and prioritises employee success and wellbeing. This includes: 

Competitive salaries

• 12.75% superannuation
• 17.5% leave loading

Employee wellbeing

• Access to 24/7 confidential employee support providers and counsellors including for immediate family members
• Additional flexibility to support your work life balance including access to generous leave entitlements, such as purchased leave, domestic violence leave, reproductive health leave, cultural leave, study and examination leave.

Professional development

• Career progression with more than 300 diverse career pathways and career support to take you further!
• Access to a variety of programs and initiatives to support training and career growth.
• Grow your skills through hands-on experience and access to internal training opportunities and additional financial and leave benefits for approved external training and development.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion 

At Queensland Health, our work environment is inclusive and supportive, and we value our employees. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all cultures, abilities and backgrounds.

Our commitment to cultural safety, equity, diversity and inclusion means we understand some people may need changes to the recruitment process. If you need support during the recruitment process, such as meeting with the panel virtually instead of in person, please reach out to the hiring manager. We value diverse candidates and your need for adjustments will not affect our hiring decisions. 

Ready to apply?

For further information on how to apply please review the attached Role Description. 

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Applications will remain current for a period of up to 12 months and may be considered for other vacancies which may include an alternative employment basis such as temporary, full time or part time.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• QLD648107 Chief Scientist, Public Health Microbiology RD (PDF, 200KB)
  Role Description
  
  Applicant Pack - July 2025 (PDF, 911KB)
  Information Package for Applicants