Head of Biological Studies - ACDP

Acknowledgement of Country 

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation. 

Role highlights

• Lead animal research capability across ACDP’s unique PC2, PC3 and PC4 biocontainment facilities


• Build distinctive experience in a research and high-containment environment unlike conventional veterinary or animal-care practice


• Work with scientists, veterinarians and animal research professionals on nationally significant science

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge. Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

Why join ACDP?

CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in Geelong is a nationally significant high-containment facility protecting Australia from serious and emerging animal and zoonotic disease threats. Our teams work across research, surveillance, diagnostics and emergency response, helping safeguard Australia’s animal industries, environment and communities.

This is a pivotal time to join ACDP. A major Part-Life Refit is modernising laboratories, infrastructure and animal research capability to support the Centre’s critical work for decades to come at the Geelong site. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to science with genuine national impact—helping Australia anticipate, detect and respond to serious biosecurity threats such as lumpy skin disease, African swine fever and avian influenza. Whether your role supports research, diagnostics, surveillance, animal care, laboratory operations or critical infrastructure, your work can strengthen Australia’s preparedness, protect animal health and industries, and help reduce risks to the environment and community. You’ll also build distinctive experience in a complex, highly regulated environment unlike conventional veterinary, animal-care or laboratory practice.

The role:

As Head of Biological Studies, you will lead animal research capability across PC2, PC3 and PC4 biocontainment facilities, providing strategic oversight of animal studies, welfare, regulatory compliance and research delivery. Drawing on your expertise in animal research and infectious disease, you will partner with scientists, technical teams and collaborators to enable high-quality research into zoonotic and emergency animal diseases and strengthen the impact of ACDP’s research.

Animal research at ACDP takes place within rigorous animal ethics, biosecurity, safety and regulatory frameworks. Depending on the role, you may support animals throughout the research lifecycle, including infectious disease research. Candidates must be comfortable working in an environment where animals may not be able to leave the facility and where humane euthanasia may form part of approved research or biosecurity requirements.

Where you will make an impact: 

• Lead animal services teams and oversee the safe, ethical and high-quality delivery of animal studies across ACDP’s animal facilities.


• Provide expert leadership in animal welfare, veterinary care, husbandry and experimental procedures supporting complex research programs.


• Shape capability and workforce development through consistent competency, training and development frameworks across animal facilities.


• Champion animal ethics, welfare, biorisk and microbiological security, embedding effective risk-based approaches into animal studies.


• Drive continuous improvement, standardisation and quality across facilities to strengthen regulatory compliance and research service delivery.


• Build collaborative partnerships across scientific, animal ethics, biorisk, HSE, quality and facility teams to enable successful animal studies.


• Apply your scientific and technical expertise to solve complex problems, develop new approaches and contribute to publications, reports and scientific communication.

A few important details:

• Location: Geelong, Victoria - Wadawurrung Country


• Salary: AU$163k - AU$180k  plus 15.4% superannuation


• Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite, preferably full-time. Role is predominantly site-based 


• Applications are open to Australian Citizens


• Appointment is subject to obtaining or holding an Australian Government Negative Vetting 1 security clearance and providing a national police check. Other security, medical or character requirements may also apply.


• Job Reference Number: 104426

What you will bring:

We’re looking for people who combine a genuine commitment to animal welfare with strong procedural discipline, sound judgement and accountability. You’ll work calmly and constructively across disciplines, follow detailed procedures consistently, speak up when something isn’t right and adapt to a highly regulated, sometimes time-critical environment.

Selection criteria:

• A veterinary degree eligible for registration in Australia, or an equivalent combination of relevant qualifications and animal research experience.


• Proven experience leading technical animal teams and delivering high-quality services to diverse stakeholders.


• Strong capability in planning, budgeting and delivering scientific projects involving animals.


• A demonstrated commitment to animal welfare and ethical research, with knowledge of the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.


• Experience leading animal research studies involving pathogens, across laboratory and/or livestock animal models.


• A collaborative, hands-on approach, with the ability to work across animal handling and husbandry through to complex technical and scientific activities.

For full details about this role and all criteria, please review the Position Description. 

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We’re happy to discuss what adjustments to our process may help you feel safe, respected and able to participate fully. Please contact [email protected] and let us know how we can support you.  

Life, benefits and flexible work arrangements

Options for part-time, job-share and flexible work arrangements can be discussed based on needs of role and individual circumstances.We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Platinum Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Child safety 

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy. 

How to apply 

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close 

22 November 2026, 11:00pm AEDT 

We strongly encourage early applications as we will be reviewing applications as they come through. CSIRO reserves the right to close the advertising early if we find our desired candidate.