Full-time, permanent position
Base salary will be in the range $138,006 - $145,943 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 9)
Based at our St. Lucia Campus
Come join UQ in a senior, high-impact role leading complex and strategically significant commercial research negotiations and building strategic research partnerships. As Senior Research Commercial Manager, you will drive UQ’s commercial research agenda, leading high-value agreement development and negotiations across a diverse and dynamic portfolio.
Working within the Faculty of Science and alongside senior University stakeholders, you will apply commercial and intellectual property expertise to structure and close deals that balance academic and commercial outcomes. You will build trusted partnerships with industry, government and research collaborators, manage risk, and resolve complex challenges to enable successful research outcomes.
This role also allows you to mentor Research Commercial Managers, provide expert advice, and deliver training that strengthens commercial capability across the University.
If you are a strategic commercial leader who thrives on complex agreement development, negotiations, builds trusted partnerships, and is motivated by enabling research with real-world impact, this is the role for you!
Key responsibilities will include:
Lead and negotiate complex commercial research agreements that align with UQ’s strategic objectives.
Manage and mentor Research Commercial Managers, fostering high-performing teams and capability development.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with industry, government, and research collaborators to maximise commercial outcomes.
Provide expert advice on commercial, contractual, and intellectual property matters, supporting strategic decision-making.
The Research Office (RO) aims to enhance UQ’s research performance and profile by collaborating with faculties, institutes, research teams, and individual researchers to initiate, facilitate, and secure research funding and research agreements to support UQ’s agenda and to the mutual needs of its partners. This includes efforts to elevate UQ’s research profile, its partnerships and to increase the level, quality, and diversity of research funding.
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, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight
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 $6.15 a day)
Salary packaging options
Proven experience leading complex commercial negotiations and developing and executing high-value research agreements with strategic partners
Strong understanding of commercial principles, intellectual property, and contract management in research or related sectors.
Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills with internal and external stakeholders.
Strategic thinker with the ability to analyse complex issues and translate them into practical solutions.
Experience leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams in a professional environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, high-level advice to senior stakeholders.
The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including right to work in Australia and a criminal check, education check.
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 Rachel Axon | Associate Director, Research Commercial Management at r.axon@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. 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 28/01/2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-59982). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week of the 2nd of February 2026.