Req ID: 7580
Date: 23 Jul 2026
Site: VCCC (Parkville)
Location:
MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000
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Company: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Unit: Core Research Support Services
Division: Cancer Research
Department: Laboratory Research
Enterprise Agreement: Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sect
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Core Research Support Services
Position Summary
Research Laboratory Support Services – RLSS
Staff will be specifically assigned to work in one or more of the three areas within RLSS and are expected to assist in all areas when required.
The main function of the role in the Media Kitchen section of RLSS is to prepare, sterilise and stock tissue culture media, bacterial media, agar plates, buffers and other solutions for the Cancer Research Division.
- Prepare and filter sterilise tissue culture media and buffers
- Prepare and steam sterilise bacterial media and other solutions
- Prepare bulk sterile bacterial agar dishes and tubes
- Prepare non-sterile solutions
- Prepare, cook and dispense drosophila media
- Maintain media and buffer stock levels within the Media storerooms/stock areas across four levels including monitoring expiry dates and stock rotation
- Maintain and prepare standing order media, buffer and aliquots within the labs
- Maintain daily batch records
- Order stocks using FMIS Oracle iProcurement and iLab
- Assess, troubleshoot and prepare special requests for media and solutions
- Maintain Quality Control measures including but not limited to osmolarity testing, pH adjustments, sterility testing, random endotoxin testing
- Maintain equipment
The main function of the role in the Laboratory Services section of RLSS is to collect used reusable laboratory ware from the Research and Pathology laboratory areas and prepare, sterilise and return it
- Wash reusable laboratory ware
- Prepare laboratory ware for sterilising and delivery
- Operate lab washers, steam sterilisers (autoclaves) and dry heat sterilisers (ovens)
- Deliver labware to the labs across six floors
- Maintain equipment, check and process records
- Manage pipette calibration servicing via external vendor
- Maintain Quality Control measures including but not limited to checking process graphs, chemical indicators for temperature and/or time, data logger for temperature and time, monthly spore test processing and incubation
- Manage personal linen laundering via external vendor
The main function of the role in the Research Store section of RLSS is to maintain commonly used stocks for the Cancer Research Division in a central location, including inventory tasks in iLab and Oracle.
- Order stocks using FMIS Oracle iProcurement
- Maintain inventory using the iLab system
- Restock shelves in the Research Store
- Refill liquid nitrogen dewars for the Cancer Research Division across three floors
- Maintain safety stocks for the Cancer Research Division across four floors
- Manage Dry Ice orders/deliveries across four floors
- Monitor linen stocks across four floors and feedback any issues and additional orders to external vendor
Position Reports to:
Direct:
Research Laboratory Support Services Manager
Research Laboratory Support Services 2iC
Research Store Manager
Professional:
General Manager Lab Research
Enterprise Agreement
Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement
Classification or Salary Range
BU1 - BU8
Immunisation Risk Category
Immunisation Risk Category C
Key Relationships
Internal & External: All Peter Mac Staff, including -
INTERNAL:
All PeterMac staff, in particular:
- Research Laboratory Support Services Core Facility team
- Laboratory and Facility Management team
- Research staff and students
- Pathology staff
- Purchasing team
- Loading dock team
- Honeywell building management team
EXTERNAL:
- Scientific suppliers
- Equipment service technicians
- VCCC Building partner Research staff
Skills
Essential Requirements
- Experience working effectively and harmoniously within a small team (2-3 people)
- Demonstrated ability to accurately and diligently follow recipes / lab methods, written and verbal instructions
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and effectively whilst dealing with multiple time sensitive tasks
- Ability to safely manage the physical activity levels required within the role: lifting to transfer 8-12 kg, 10,000-15,000 steps per day, pushing loaded trolleys, bulk handwashing of labware
- Year 11 chemistry and/or biology or equivalent experience
- Experience in the use of aseptic / sterile technique
- Experience in prevention of cross-contamination
- Experience in the use of sterilisers
Desirable Requirements
- Experience or exposure to working within a laboratory setting
- Experience in the use of laboratory washers, peristaltic pump, laminar flow hood, osmometer, pH meter, induction stove, micropipette
- Experience stocking shelves in a store/warehouse (if assigned to Research Store)
- Experience placing orders using FMIS Oracle iProcurement
- Exposure to iLab
- Certificate III in Laboratory Skills / practical laboratory skills
- Certificate III in Sterilisation Services / practical experience using sterilisers
- Certificate III in Logistics / practical warehousing skills (if assigned to Research Store)
- Experience handling liquid nitrogen
Key Accountabilities
Key Accountabilities Demonstrated By / Key Performance Indicators
1. Teamwork
- Demonstrable ability to work effectively and harmoniously within a small and extended team environment
- Provide a valuable contribution to the prioritisation, production and delivery of media, solutions, treated laboratory ware and maintaining stocks of consumable to meet the requirements of the Cancer Research Division, Pathology Department and VCCC partners
- Willingness to perform / contribute to the Research Laboratory Support Services Core Facility tasks and administrative duties normally performed by other team members in response to changing workloads and to cover leave.
2. Customer Service
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels
- Demonstrated ability to work quickly and efficiently to resolve problems
- Demonstrated ability to conduct work in alignment with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre values
- Consistent demonstration of a commitment to improve services
3. Quality Assurance
- Completes all quality assurance tasks successfully and accurately including:
- Check graphs and cycle data for equipment used prior to load release
- Check pass/fail sterility indicators
- Periodic load testing in sterilisers
- Assess laboratory items as safe to collect for processing
- Assess laboratory items as successfully cleaned by equipment
- pH adjustments (if assigned to Media Kitchen)
- Osmolality testing (if assigned to Media Kitchen)
- Liquid sterility testing (if assigned to Media Kitchen)
- Checking receipted goods for damage
4. Workflow Organisation
- Demonstrated ability to assess daily workload and prioritise effectively to complete required tasks in conjunction with other team members
- Demonstrated ability to keep accurate and timely records
5. Media and Solution Preparation • Accurate completion of procedures in methods / recipe book
- Ability to maintain aseptic technique when sterilising liquids and aliquoting sterile solutions
- Demonstrated ability to safely and effectively use all equipment within the Research Laboratory Support Services Core Facility
- Demonstrated commitment to conscientiously provide quality service and prepare error-free products
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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC
Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.
