- One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
- Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
- Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best
At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.
The Faculty of Science teaches approximately 7000 full-time student equivalents, with an academic staff of approximately 500 and general staff of 300. The Faculty is one of the largest and most complex faculties of UNSW Sydney. It comprises the School of Aviation, Biological Earth and Environmental Science (BEES), Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS), Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), Mathematics and Statistics, Psychology, and Physics. It also includes several major Research Centres and field stations.
The Chief Technical Officer (CTO) engages with key stakeholders, including researchers within the Faculty of Science, and across the University, to ensure consistent and streamlined services across the Faculty, while promoting safety, compliance and an improved user experience.
This role also manages the operations of and provides technical direction to the helium liquefier at UNSW Kensington. The CTO leads the development and implementation of systems, policies, procedures and guidelines to support the safe and efficient use of the helium liquefier system.
About the role
- $148k - $157k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
- Continuing
- Full-time (35 hours per week)
Specific responsibilities for this role include:
- Provide expert, high level and strategic advice to Faculty leadership, and stakeholders on best practice approaches to technical operations, compliance, and continuous improvement.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to optimise technical processes, systems, and administrative support associated with the helium liquefier and broader technical operations.
- Conduct reviews of technical processes and practices across Schools, identifying and leading the implementation of consistent, streamlined and best practice Faculty-wide solutions.
- Manage and coordinate centrally led technical initiatives, including those driven by the Faculty of Science and the broader University, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and operational integration across Schools.
- Establish and lead a Community of Practice for technical staff across Schools to foster collaboration, relationship building, and a culture of shared learning, including regular discussion of challenges, innovations, and operational improvements.
- Act as a central escalation point for complex or high impact technical issues and provide expert troubleshooting support across the Faculty, working with both internal and external Subject Matter Experts.
- Work collaboratively with the Faculty’s Health & Safety Business Partner, UNSW Safety, WHS Officers in the Schools, and other relevant areas on safety matters related to technical infrastructure and equipment, ensuring a strong safety culture and compliance with relevant standards.
- Lead, manage , oversee and coordinate technical teams across Schools and the helium liquefier team within the Faculty of Science via a dotted-line reporting structure, ensuring consistency, quality, and the adoption of best practices across diverse local contexts including the supervision of other staff and students as required.
- Establish, lead, manage and support the operational activities of the helium liquefier to ensure financial, safety, and operational objectives are achieved, in alignment with UNSW and Faculty of Science priorities.
- Develop and implement systems, policies, guidelines and procedures to support the safe, efficient and compliant use of the helium liquefier. Ensure these align with regulatory requirements and support the research needs of stakeholders across the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering, MWAC and industry collaborators.
- Drive high-level communication, consultation, and negotiation with internal and external stakeholders with the helium liquefier, including industry partners and vendors, to support operations and ensure continuity of supply, value for money, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Develop and maintain robust reporting and data management systems to support operational planning, compliance, and performance monitoring to support data informed decision making.
- Represent the Faculty and helium liquefier operations at other UNSW work areas, advisory groups, meetings and other activities and lead/manage other related activities as required.
- Work collaboratively with Finance and Faculty leadership to develop, monitor, and manage the helium liquefier budget, including forecasting and reporting.
- Work collaboratively with Finance and Faculty leadership to develop, monitor, and manage a budget for the support of technical staff across Schools to foster collaboration, relationship building, and a culture of shared learning, including regular discussion of challenges, innovations, and operational improvements., including forecasting and reporting.
- Work collaboratively with Finance, Procurement, and vendors to manage contracts, ensure continuity of supply, achieve cost efficiencies, and deliver value-for-money outcomes that support long-term operational sustainability.
- 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.
- Ensure hazards and risks psychosocial and physical are identified and controlled for tasks, projects, and activities that pose a health and safety risk within your area of responsibility.
About the successful applicant
(Selection criteria)
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Postgraduate qualifications or extensive relevant experience in a technical, scientific or engineering discipline, or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education training, and/or experience.
- In depth knowledge of specialist technical systems and infrastructure, including cryogenics, gas and/or vacuum systems with a proven ability to apply knowledge and experience to analyse, investigate and solve technical and operational issues.
- Sound understanding of university-based research environments, including the needs of researchers, facilities, and cross-Faculty collaboration.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex technical operations and/or scientific facilities, including responsibility for planning, resource allocation, staff supervision, and budget oversight.
- Experience implementing and driving strategic initiatives that result in measurable process improvements and operational efficiencies.
- Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgement and initiative.
- Highly developed communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build strong relationships and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders across academic, professional, and industry contexts.
- Demonstrated capacity to develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and systems that support safe, efficient, and compliant technical operations.
- Proven experience managing budgets, forecasting, and procurement processes, with an understanding of achieving value for money and long-term operational sustainability.
- High level demonstrated experience working with a range of computer systems and applications, including Microsoft 365 and other products in the Microsoft suite.
- 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.
You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.
For informal queries, please see the below contact details.
Otherwise, please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed.
Contact:
Veneet Sood
E: v.sood@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: May 15th, 2026
Find out more about working at UNSW at www.unsw.edu.au
UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
