"Contracts Officer, Major Initiatives – Research Grants & Contracts"

Job no: 538343
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Research Administration support

• Access hybrid/flexible work arrangements including a 9-day fortnight option.
• Build positive stakeholder relationships with national research leaders
• Work on high value financial and strategic projects
• $113,926-$123,302 + 17% super

The Opportunity

The Research Grants and Contracts team (RGC) supports UNSW’s research performance by managing the University’s research funding and acting as a key link between researchers, leadership, and funding bodies such as the NHMRC, ARC, government, philanthropic, and industry partners. Each year, RGC oversees more than $450M in research income and 6,000 active projects that support more than 2,000 academics.

This role focuses on ensuring strong governance and consistent management of major and high-risk external funding across the full project lifecycle, with particular emphasis on drafting and reviewing research contracts and agreements. The position reports to the Senior Manager, Major Initiatives and has no direct reports.

Skills and Experience Required

• Experience drafting and reviewing multi-party or competitive research agreements, preferably related to research in the higher education sector; experience working with Major Initiatives including ARC Hubs/Centres or CRCs would be highly valued
• Legal or contractual expertise, ideally within the university or research sector.
• Ability to work collaboratively with legal teams and external partners.
• Strong attention to detail and policy compliance.

Why Join UNSW?

UNSW isn’t like other organisations. We are a large and diverse community doing extraordinary work that matters. Ranked in the world’s top 20 universities (QS) and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight, UNSW combines academic excellence with real-world impact.

Benefits & Culture

UNSW offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits, including:

• Additional 3 days leave over the Christmas period
• Access to lifelong learning and career development
• Progressive HR practices
• Discounts and staff entitlements
• Affordable on-site parking

To Apply

Please submit your CV, Cover Letter and responses to Skills and Experience required in the Position Description via the Apply button.

Contact: Shiree Thomas, Talent Acquisition Partner: shiree.thomas@unsw.edu.au

Note: Applications sent to the contact listed will not be accepted.

Applications close: 11:55pm, Monday 30th March 2026

Pre-Employment Checks

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks: -

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Position Description