Full-time fixed-term position for up to 2 years
Base salary will be in the range $95,361.62 - $102,302.92 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 6)
Based at our St Lucia Campus
Join the QAAFI Commercial and Grants Office as a Senior Research Administration Officer and play a pivotal role in enabling cutting-edge research and innovation. In this role, you will support researchers across the full project lifecycle—helping secure funding, manage contracts, and deliver impactful outcomes. You’ll work in a collaborative, supportive team that values open communication, shared learning, and mutual respect, while building strong connections across the University and with external partners.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to research excellence, advance your professional skills, and make a tangible impact on QAAFI’s mission to drive innovation in agriculture and food systems.
Key responsibilities will include:
Grant and Project Support
Facilitate the preparation, coordination, and submission of research funding applications, ensuring compliance with guidelines, assisting with budgets, and supporting post-award management to enable successful research outcomes.
Contracting and Stakeholder Collaboration
Manage research contracts and agreements, coordinating legal and administrative review while building strong, effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including UniQuest, Finance, Legal, and industry partners.
Research Operations and Engagement
Maintain accurate research records and systems, provide guidance to staff on research administration processes, and support the delivery of workshops, seminars, and communications that strengthen QAAFI’s research community and impact.
As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.
Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.
Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:
Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave
17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading
Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times and purchased leave
Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program
On campus childcare options
Affordable parking (from just $6.40 a day)
Salary packaging options
Qualifications & Experience: A degree with relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Research Administration Expertise: Experience in research administration within a tertiary environment, with sound knowledge of research policies and procedures, or the demonstrated capacity to quickly acquire and apply this knowledge.
Pre-Award & Contract Support: Knowledge of, or direct experience in, research pre-award submission processes and administration of research contracts (e.g., Funding Agreements, CRAs, NDAs, MTAs) is highly desirable.
Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in computer applications for word processing, data management, and spreadsheets; experience with university reporting and granting systems (e.g., MyResearch, SmartyGrants, SmartSheets) is highly valued.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, sound judgement, and the ability to maintain confidentiality while developing strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Collaboration & Initiative: Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, demonstrating initiative, sound judgement, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Organisation & Time Management: Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage and prioritise competing tasks and meet deadlines consistently.
Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.
You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Mrs Vanessa Stott at v.stott@uq.edu.au.
For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:
Resume
A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section
Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.
UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.
Applications close Monday March 30th 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-62751). Applications will be reviewed as received. Candidates may be interviewed prior to the job closing date. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. The University of Queensland reserves the right to close this application process early.