Advanced Technical Officer

About the role

The University of Waikato is seeking an Advanced Technical Officer to support teaching and research in Biomedical, Molecular and Cellular areas within a collaborative technical environment. In this position, you will provide dependable technical assistance that helps laboratories, specialist facilities, and equipment run safely and efficiently across teaching and research activities.

This is a full-time, onsite role based at the Hillcrest Campus in Hamilton, with working hours of 37.5 per week. The salary range for the position is $87,624 to $100,214 per year, depending on the skills, knowledge, and experience you bring to the role.

What you will do

You will work alongside a team of technicians to support laboratory teaching sessions and research work. Your contribution will include preparing laboratories, maintaining equipment, managing stock, troubleshooting technical issues, and ensuring health and safety standards are followed. You will also assist students and staff during practical and research sessions, care for specialist instrumentation, and help drive improvements across the school.

About you

The university is looking for someone with a relevant tertiary qualification in biological or molecular science, along with solid laboratory expertise gained in a university, research, or scientific setting. Strong experience in MPI-approved containment facilities, including PC1 and PC2 laboratories, is required, together with a strong understanding of regulatory compliance, biosecurity requirements, and containment operations.

In addition, you should have substantial practical experience in molecular biology methods such as mammalian and microbial cell culture, DNA and RNA extraction, PCR and qPCR, DNA cloning, protein expression and purification, and genome editing tools including CRISPR. You must also be comfortable supporting research activities, maintaining lab standards, and working with advanced scientific equipment.

The role suits someone who is highly organised, careful, and able to manage several priorities at once while maintaining accuracy and compliance in a fast-paced research environment. Strong communication, analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and the capacity to build effective working relationships across academic, research, technical, and professional teams are essential. A proactive, service-oriented approach and a commitment to excellent teaching, research, and student support are important.

About the university and its communities

The Division of STEM includes the Schools of Te Aka Mātuatua Science, Te Kura Mata-Ao Engineering, and Au Reikura Computing and Mathematical Sciences. Te Aka Mātuatua School of Science is research-focused and delivers teaching and research across a wide range of science disciplines, with a commitment to helping address major challenges in Aotearoa and globally.

The Division of Health is dedicated to reducing health inequities and preventable conditions, with a strong emphasis on better outcomes for Māori and Pacific communities. It supports equitable health outcomes across Aotearoa through innovative research and high-quality teaching in areas including Biomedical Sciences, Health Promotion, Healthy Active Living, Human Performance Science, Midwifery, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Sport Development and Coaching.

Additional information

The university offers additional leave and a competitive superannuation contribution. It also highlights a supportive, innovative technical team and the opportunity to contribute to world-leading scientific research.

Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand in line with immigration requirements. The university welcomes applications from people with the relevant skills and capabilities from all backgrounds and is committed to diversity, equal opportunity, and the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Applications must be submitted through the online portal; emailed applications will not be accepted. Applications will be considered as they are received. The closing date is Sunday, 5 July 2026. Requisition number: 1003697.