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- Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
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At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.
The School of Physics is one of the leading Physics schools in Australia. It offers a world class undergraduate physics degree, as well as a postgraduate PhD research program for over 50 students. 33 academic staff conduct theoretical and experimental research in quantum physics, astrophysics, fundamental physics; and condensed matter physics. UNSW is an international leader in quantum computing research and hosts the ARC Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology.
The Technical Officer (Teaching) is responsible for providing effective technical and administrative assistance to ensure the smooth daily operations of the Physics Teaching Laboratories, Educational Resources unit, and Physics Education Technical Support (PETS) team. The Technical Officer (Teaching) may support first-year and/or higher-year courses, but as part of the PETS team, may also provide specialised support to the School’s other education-focused operations and Educational Resources.![]()
About the role
- $88K - $110K plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
- Fixed term – 7 months (to 31 December 2026)
- Full-time (35 hours per week)
The role reports to the Senior Technical Officer (Teaching) and has no direct reports.
Specific responsibilities for this role include:
LEVEL 5:
- Provide quality technical support, including the timely preparation and turnaround of equipment and online learning materials for practical classes.
- Provide technical assistance to staff and students by demonstrating common experimental techniques, the safe operation of equipment, instrument training, on-demand troubleshooting and responding efficiently and courteously to requests.
- In consultation with the First Year and Higher Year Lab Directors and Senior Technical Officer (Teaching), maintain the laboratory and Educational Resources unit inventories, to ensure that all equipment is stored safely.
- Accurately prepare and maintain documentation within the Teaching Laboratories and Educational Resources, including laboratory manuals, safety records, and instrument/equipment/plant records.
- Prepare and deliver teaching equipment to lectures, tutorials and laboratories.
- Source and maintain the equipment, instruments, chemicals, and consumables required for the ER unit and laboratory classes, taking careful consideration of cost and availability.
- Communicate with suppliers to rectify and/or repair faults when repairs cannot be completed internally.
- Create new demonstrations and equipment using a range of hardware tools and equipment, including power tools, 3D printers, and hand tools.
- Identify and address any problems within the Teaching Laboratories and Educational Resources unit, escalating to the attention of Academic Staff, the Senior Technical Officer (Teaching) or the Technical Manager (Teaching) as appropriate.
- Prepare and review safety documents, identify hazards, and effectively manage risk.
- Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
- Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the psychosocial or physical health and safety of yourself or others.
LEVEL 6:
(in addition to the above)
- Apply substantial theoretical and technical knowledge and experience to develop and test experiments, demonstrations and/or procedures.
- Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, evaluating existing equipment, infrastructure, service delivery and training, as well as systems, procedures, and protocols, to identify opportunities for improvement and implement change as approved by the Technical Manager (Teaching).
- Develop and monitor work plans and schedules for laboratory activities, including experiments and equipment servicing, and establish objectives, timing, and resource requirements.
- Provide specialised expertise in at least one of the following areas:
- Designing, developing and constructing educational resources such as physics demonstrations.
- Managing, maintaining and developing the School’s educational technology facilities.
- Supporting complex technical instrumentation, including lasers and optics, electronics and signal processing, X-ray diffraction, Gamma-ray spectroscopy, radiation handling, vacuum and cryogenic systems in a teaching environment.
- Provide high level advice on WHS issues and ensure high standards of laboratory work practice amongst all staff and students in compliance with relevant UNSW WHS policies and best practice.
- Manage WHS activities including risk assessments, implementation of safe work procedures, development and maintenance of relevant WHS records and registers, provision of WHS training and inductions to staff, students and contractors.
About the successful applicant
(Selection Criteria)
LEVEL 5:
To be successful in this role you will have:
- A relevant tertiary qualification or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training and/or experience.
- Extensive understanding of physics and/or experience working in a physics teaching laboratory.
- Demonstrated excellent time management and organisational skills including the ability to prioritise work effectively.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written) including the ability to liaise with diverse groups of people from varying backgrounds.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and contribute positively to the effective working of a team.
- Experience working with student cohorts and/or a high volume of people.
- Demonstrated experience using non-commercial software solutions, and high competency using the Microsoft Office/Microsoft Office 365 including Teams.
- Effective record keeping skills (both paper and electronic), including the ability to work accurately, with strong attention to detail.
- Knowledge and experience in digital education technology, using audio-visual hardware, using metal and woodwork machinery and tools and using CAD/CAM applications (Desirable).
- An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
- Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.
LEVEL 6:
(in addition to the above)
- Extensive experience in a similar role. Experience in a Teaching Laboratory is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in at least one of the following:
- Designing and constructing educational resources such as physics demonstrations
- Supporting and developing educational technology solutions applicable to physics
- Electronics; Optics; Radiation; Physics demonstrations/workshop skills; Educational technology (lecture technology etc.)
- Advanced level of computer literacy with excellent skills in Microsoft Office applications and knowledge of contemporary live streaming tools, techniques and software
- High level organisation skills with a demonstrated ability to deal with multiple tasks and projects, establish priorities and meet deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to critically analyse designs and test methods and make suggestions for improvements.
- Proven ability to work independently to analyse situations, identify risks and problem solve, whilst also contributing effectively to a team.
You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.
Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.
Contact:
Tamara Reztsova
E: t.reztsova@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: May 24th, 2026
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Find out more about working at UNSW at www.unsw.edu.au
UNSW aspires to be the exemplar Australian university and employer of choice for people from diverse backgrounds. UNSW aims to ensure equality in recruitment, development, retention and promotion of staff and that no-one is disadvantaged on the basis of their gender, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or identity or Indigenous heritage. We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria to apply.
UNSW partners with Australia’s leading diversity organisations, networks, and campaigns. Please refer to UNSW’s diversity offerings for further information on our flexible work and leave options, and support for carers (childcare, parent rooms, parental leave).
