Vic govt in big biotech hiring push

The Victorian Government's Science, Technology and Innovation division has advertised five newly created roles as it works towards implementation of its Biotechnology Strategic Development Plan.

Hot on the heels of Dr Amanda Caples' appointment as the first Victorian Biotechnology Director, the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development has put out the call for people to fill a range of biotech and innovation positions.

These include Senior Industry Officer in Biotechnology, with a package of up to $95,000, a Commercialisation Manager, whose remuneration could top $89,000 and a Project Manager for the Innovation@257 exhibition space, with a salary of up to $70,500.

Also advertised are positions for an Innovation@257 Project Officer and a Commercialisation Policy Advisor, who could be paid up to $56,400 and $70,500 respectively.

A government spokesman said the department planned to employ several new staff to its biotech teams, although the exact numbers were yet to be finalised.

"The new staff members will have industry experience and will specialise in industry follow-up from events such as this month's BIO 2002 conference in Toronto, Canada," the spokesman said.

"They will play a vital role in attracting new job generating biotech investments to Victoria. The Bracks Government wants Victoria to be recognised as a global top five location for biotechnology by 2010 and these new staff members will help ensure this ambitious goal becomes a reality."

According to the job descriptions, the new roles will range in duties from industry analysis, policy advice and investment attraction to curating of the publicly accessible Innovation@257 exhibition space.

The Biotechnology Senior Industry Officer will be required to manage the identification and development of projects to attract international and domestic investment to the state.

Reporting to the Manager, Biotechnology Industries, the successful applicant will also be expected to provide advice on biotech industry matters and identify and monitor current and emerging issues pertinent to the sector.

The Commercialisation Manager will be responsible for issues and programs related to Victoria's technology start-up companies and will provide advice on commercialisation to ministers, senior management and the Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Engineering (KISE) council.

They will also be responsible for managing the Technology Commercialises Program and the Centre for Innovation and Technology Commercialisation, and will report to Science, Technology and Innovation executive director Jane Niall.

Working under the Commercialisation Manager will be the Commercialisation Policy Adviser - a role focused on commercialisation issues coming out of CRCs, universities and public research institutes - and the Innovation @257 positions.

Details of the position are available at http://www.iird.vic.gov.au