Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading University. With over 6,000 academic and professional staff supporting over 46,000 students, we are one of NZ’s largest employers.  We have six academic faculties and 13 service divisions creating a diverse, dynamic, and complex organisational culture that demands excellence.

The University of Auckland creates globally transformative impacts through our distinctive strengths in world-leading research, scholarship, teaching, and collaborative partnerships, inspired by our unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific. 

Our mission and values place a strong emphasis on both our student body and our scholarly community, and we work with both community and enterprise to advance the well-being of the people of Auckland and New Zealand, with a clear commitment to pursuing sustainability.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Are you a chemistry-qualified professional who thrives in a complex, high-trust environment?
Do you bring resilience and the ability to engage — and where needed, can you confidently advise senior academics and professionally navigate conflicting perspectives?

We’re looking for a professional, composed and solutions-focused Hazardous Substances Adviser to join our Health, Safety and Wellbeing team.

Reporting to the Hazard and Containment Manager, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring University-wide compliance with hazardous substances legislation and internal requirements.

You’ll provide expert advice on:

• Chemical acquisition, storage, transport and disposal
• Regulatory compliance (Dangerous Goods, GHS classifications, HSNO)
• Controlled drugs registers and compliance monitoring
• EPA approvals and documentation management
• Audit liaison and regulatory engagement
• Oversight and optimisation of the University’s SciTrack hazardous materials system

You will be a key relationship partner across faculties — maintaining strong on-site engagement with laboratory managers, technical teams and academic staff.

This is a role where credibility, clarity, and confidence matter.

This is a part-time (18.75 hours per week) permanent position

Remuneration range is $73,400 – $90,700 per annum, dependent on skills and experience and will be pro-rated

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description 

He kōrero mōu | About you

You are:

• Qualified with a degree in Chemistry (essential)
• Experienced in laboratory safety and hazardous substances management
• Confident engaging with senior stakeholders — able to influence, challenge and hold boundaries professionally
• Calm, composed and solutions-focused under pressure
• A strong communicator (clear, concise written and verbal communication)
• Computer savvy and comfortable working across systems (experience with SciTrack advantageous)
• Highly organised with excellent record-keeping skills
• Self-managing, deadline-driven and accountable
• Customer-focused with a positive, enthusiastic and service-oriented approach
• Knowledgeable in Health & Safety legislation (H&S certification advantageous)

You bring resilience, strong interpersonal capability, and the ability to navigate complexity while maintaining professionalism and integrity.

If you are technically strong, people-savvy, and ready to step into a role that requires both expertise and influence, we would love to hear from you.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer
The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory, and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently ranked among the world’s most liveable cities. 

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave

In addition, we also offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare, and a number of other discounts on internal and external services. 

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date of 29th March 2026 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and CV, highlighting how you can meet the skills and experience detailed above.

Please reach out to Francesca Casu (Hazards & Containment Manager) via [email protected] for a confidential conversation. Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications by email. 

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz