Careers at UniSC

• School of Science, Technology & Engineering | UniSC Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs
• Level 3 $64,460 - $71,962 (pro rata) p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation
• Part-time (30% FTE / 10.88 hours per week), fixed-term appointment until Jan 2027

The Opportunity

UniSC’s Biomechanics & Biorobotics Laboratory is at the forefront of animal-borne biologging and robotic innovation, developing next-generation tracking technologies to understand and predict animal movement, physiology and behaviour in real-world environments. The lab is currently building advanced collar-mounted loggers for kangaroo and impala studies, integrating inertial, environmental and physiological sensors with robust power management, waterproof packaging and reproducible data pipelines. This hands-on role supports rapid prototyping, testing, documentation and field-ready deployment of cutting-edge biologging hardware and software, working closely with the Supervisor and collaborating researchers to translate innovative ideas into reliable research tools.

For more information please visit us online: School of Science, Technology and Engineering

You will:

• Design, prototype and validate a collar-mounted data-logger platform (PCB, firmware, and enclosure) suitable for deployment on kangaroos and impala, with emphasis on low-power performance, robustness, and animal welfare constraints;
• Develop a reproducible data ingestion and analysis pipeline for logger outputs, including calibration, quality control, time synchronisation, and extraction of biologically meaningful metrics (e.g., VDBA/activity budgets and gait-related measures where appropriate); and
• Provide technical support for field deployment, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of both hardware and software, including clear documentation and handover materials.

About you:

You’re a hands-on, early-career robotics or electronics technician with experience supporting the assembly, testing and maintenance of electronic or robotic systems. You’re comfortable working with PCBs, basic soldering and electronic test equipment, and have exposure to embedded systems and sensor integration. You understand fundamental power and battery concepts and follow safe work practices in laboratory and workshop environments. You’re organised, keen to learn, and value clear documentation and repeatable processes. Above all, you’re a collaborative team member who can communicate effectively with technical and non-technical colleagues and is open to fieldwork and occasional travel as required.

You will possess:

• Completion of a relevant qualification (or equivalent demonstrated experience) in electrical/mechatronic/biomedical engineering, robotics, computer science, or a closely related discipline;
• Demonstrated experience in PCB design and prototyping (e.g., KiCad/Altium or equivalent), including soldering/rework and the use of electronic test equipment (multimeter, oscilloscope, logic analyser);
• Demonstrated experience with embedded systems development (C/C++ on microcontrollers) and scripting for analysis/automation and time-series processing (Python, MATLAB and/or R);
• Experience integrating sensors and peripherals (e.g., IMU/accelerometer, GPS, pressure/temperature, analog inputs) and familiarity with common interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, ADC);
• Working knowledge of low-power design, battery selection (capacity, chemistry, discharge limits), and practical power budgeting for long-duration deployments;
• Demonstrated ability to build reproducible data processing workflows, including calibration, time synchronisation, quality control, documentation, and version control (e.g., Git);
• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices and the ability to follow laboratory/workshop procedures; willingness to undertake fieldwork and occasional travel as required (current driver licence desirable); and
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across academic and professional teams and to communicate technical information clearly to non-specialists.

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc-careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.

Position description:  494002 - Robotics Laboratory Technician.pdf

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

All applications must be lodged through the Careers at UniSC website.

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au

Applications for this position close midnight, Tuesday 3 March 2026.

Your completed application must include:

• a resume, noting your application will be reviewed in alignment to the specified selection criteria as outlined within the position description. There will be opportunity within the application form to also include supporting documentation should you wish.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:

APrf Christofer Clemente
Associate Professor of Animal Ecophysiology - School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Email: cclement@usc.edu.au
Phone: 07 5459 4535

Discover UniSC

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We’re not the biggest university. But we’re growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.

We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland and a growing footprint in major capital cities.

Teaching excellence is at the heart of what we do, and our commitment to sustainability is integrated into our teaching, research, and daily operations. Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 13 research fields ranked well above world standard, characterised by evidence of outstanding performance according to the Excellence Research for Australia Rankings. At UniSC you will have the opportunity to contribute to the educational landscape for future generations.

We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging continuous professional development and providing resources to enhance your career. We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve our local and global challenges.

Our Culture & Benefits:

• Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
• Modern teaching & research facilities.
• Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
• We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
• Flexible work arrangements & generous leave options.
• Salary packing options + 17% Super.
• EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.