- Sydney - North Ryde
- Applications close 11 September
- The salary range for this role is $81,448 - $87,918
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:
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Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
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Investing in science and technology
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Strengthening the resources sector.
The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.
If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.
Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.
The National Measurement Institute (NMI) is the Australian Government’s authority on measurement, responsible for maintaining and advancing Australia’s measurement system. NMI delivers world-class measurement standards, products and services that underpin confidence in trade, regulation and scientific research, with international recognition of its standards and capabilities.
Within NMI, the Chemical and Biological Metrology Branch develops and delivers chemical and biological measurement standards, including certified reference materials and proficiency testing programs that support laboratory quality and performance. The Chemical Reference Materials section focuses on the production and certification of high-quality organic reference materials for calibration, supporting critical sectors such as sports doping control, forensic science, environmental and food testing, ensuring alignment with international best practice and accreditation requirements. It is expected that our ideal candidate will support and promote NMI’s vision, mission and business objectives, by actively contributing to the team’s goals, strategies and work schedule while achieving quality outcomes and adhering to documented procedures.
Join a high-impact team at the National Measurement Institute and contribute to work that supports national and international stakeholders by underpinning confidence in chemical analytical testing results, worldwide. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply your analytical chemistry and quality systems expertise in an internationally recognised, accredited laboratory.
Through hands-on experience, you will strengthen your technical capability in organic analytical chemistry, using chromatography and a range of analytical techniques, while developing analytical skills for purity assignment and associated measurement uncertainty calculations. You will maintain the Chemical Reference Material’s Quality System in alignment with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 17034. As part of a collaborative team, you will contribute to method validation, laboratory audits, continuous improvement initiatives, and the preparation of certificates of analysis and Quality System documentation.
You will build expertise in laboratory quality assurance and accreditation practices, strengthening your professional profile through hands-on experience in delivering reliable, traceable measurement outcomes that are trusted both nationally and internationally.
At NMI you will join a world leader in measurement science. NMI has a diverse range of roles and priorities that will present the opportunity to develop new skills and expand your career in interesting and exciting ways. As part of the department, employees at NMI are covered by the relevant enterprise agreement and benefits include:
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15.4% employer superannuation contribution.
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4 weeks annual leave per year.
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18 days paid personal leave per year.
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Maternity and paternity leave.
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A vacation care subsidy.
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$235 healthy lifestyle subsidy.
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Salary packaging which allows you to make certain payments using your pre-tax salary.
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Access to study assistance.
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Access to staff counselling services.
Our ideal candidate will demonstrate:
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Knowledge and practical application of ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 17034, measurement uncertainty, and associated technical standards and guidelines to support quality assurance activities within a laboratory environment.
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Experience with documented Quality Systems and response to preventative and corrective actions.
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Knowledge of laboratory environments with practical experience or familiarity with analytical chemistry techniques such as gas and liquid chromatography, Karl Fischer, and thermogravimetric analysis.
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Demonstrated experience in the operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and performance verification of analytical instrumentation, including gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) and high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV), to ensure reliable and compliant laboratory operations.
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Experience in the preparation of stock and working solutions using accurate gravimetric techniques, and proficiency in the operation, monitoring, troubleshooting, and documentation of ampouling processes and associated equipment within a quality-managed laboratory environment.
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Pro-active approach to continuous improvement of the work program and Quality System.
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Written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to contribute to Quality System documentation and report writing.
As the Quality Officer, your key duties are:
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Reporting to the senior scientist, maintain the Quality Systems for the laboratory in line with the accreditation requirements in accordance with ISO 17034.
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Review laboratory techniques, standard operating procedures, method documents, and the overarching Quality Manual to support reference material production in alignment with changing requirements and circumstances.
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Support the Senior Scientist in quality assurance activities, including the management of investigations, corrective actions, process improvements to prevent the recurrence of non-conformances, and participation in internal and external audits.
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Perform routine stability analysis and analytical testing using established methods (e.g. chromatography and related techniques) and submit excel workbooks and certificates of analysis to senior staff for review.
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Perform the calibration of analytical balances and performance check of specialised analytical instrumentation, maintaining schedules and documented records in the group’s electronic database.
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Participate in and evaluate international interlaboratory comparison and proficiency testing programs, analysing statistical performance data to verify measurement competence, support method validation, and demonstrate the metrological traceability and technical capability of the reference material production process.
A Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with demonstrated knowledge of organic analytical chemistry.
To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.
Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.
The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is North Ryde based and is conducted on site. There is limited capacity to work flexibility outside of an ad-hoc basis. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.
Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.
Please provide a pitch explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 500 words and should align to the key duties listed above.
You may use AI tools to support your application. However, all content must be accurate, authentic, and reflect your own capability in line with APS merit principles. For further guidance, please refer to the APSC’s Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.
Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).
Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact [email protected] or (02) 6276 1235 if you require assistance with your application.
Please refer to our Applying for a position information for additional information on how to apply.
For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Michael Moawad on 02 9449 0262 or via email on [email protected]
