Introduction
The Director Animal and Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics leads the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute at Menangle. The role directs around 150 staff across research and diagnostics, chairs the Biosafety Committee and helps shape NSW’s scientific capability for biosecurity response. It combines scientific credibility with research investment, operational leadership and external partnerships.
When preparing how to apply for Director Animal and Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics, obtain the candidate information pack through Derwent Search. The advertisement requests a resume and cover letter addressing interest and suitability. Show relevant science qualifications or substantial equivalent experience, then focus on the leadership and investment decisions that demonstrate your fit.
Choose examples that connect research activity with practical capability. Explain how you built a case for investment or collaboration, balanced scientific ambition with operational needs and developed workforce capability. The Institute’s diagnostic services support interpretation and response, so make the public value of your work clear alongside commercial and strategic judgement.
View the official job ad and keep its application instructions open while you plan.
Director Animal and Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics role snapshot
| Role | Director Animal and Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics |
| Organisation | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Agriculture and Biosecurity |
| Location | Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle; regular on-site presence expected |
| Employment | NSW Senior Executive Band 1 appointment; confirm employment terms in the candidate information pack |
| Salary or remuneration | Total remuneration package $269,540 to $295,234, including superannuation |
| Job ID | 605342 |
| Closing date | 8 November 2026 at 11:59pm |
NSW Government application requirements
Give the hiring team the documents and written responses it requests, within the stated limits. Check the application form before drafting so the final submission follows the required format.
Application requirements for Director Animal and Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics
- Resume
- Cover letter addressing your interest and suitability
The advertisement does not specify page limits. A focused two-page letter is a useful preparation guide; check the candidate pack and application form for final limits. Apply through the role listing on Derwent Search and review the candidate information pack.
Role conditions and qualifications
- Relevant tertiary science qualifications or substantial demonstrated equivalent experience are essential.
- Regular on-site presence at EMAI, Menangle, is expected, particularly early in the appointment.
- The successful applicant may need to undergo a police check, health assessment and other required assessments.
Candidate evidence for Director Animal and Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics
Lead EMAI’s research and diagnostics capability, scientific partnerships, investment strategy and workforce while maintaining biosecurity response readiness. The evidence areas below help you choose examples for that work.
| Requirement or evidence area | How to demonstrate it |
|---|---|
| Scientific and operational leadership | Describe leadership of research or diagnostic services, including governance, workforce capability and operational performance. |
| Research investment and collaboration | Explain a co-investment or partnership proposal, the business case and the resulting scientific or response capability. |
| Biosecurity strategy | Show how you aligned research priorities with industry needs, government objectives and biosecurity risks. |
| Workforce and site leadership | Describe decisions about people, infrastructure, safety or resources across a substantial research operation. |
Example application structure for Director Animal and Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics
Organise the letter around scientific credibility, a research-business decision and leadership of a substantial operation.
| Application section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Opening and credentials | Identify relevant science qualifications or equivalent experience and the scale of your research leadership. |
| Research investment example | Explain how you developed a partnership, business case or investment decision and its practical value. |
| Operational and people leadership | Show how you balanced research, diagnostics, emergency readiness and workforce capability. |
| Closing | Connect your experience to EMAI’s role and confirm your understanding of the Menangle presence requirement. |
Before you submit
Review the Derwent Search listing and candidate information pack for final submission instructions. Confirm the qualification or equivalent-experience pathway, Menangle attendance expectations and any document limits. Applications close 8 November 2026 at 11:59pm.
Return to the official vacancy for the final document and deadline check.
Help with your Director Animal and Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics application
If you want help organising your own evidence and preparing the written documents, request application support from Team 3Thirty. Bring the vacancy and your current CV so the application can address the work you have actually done.