About the Role
IORA is looking for an enthusiastic and organised Administrative Executive to support the day-to-day operations of our research facilities. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates with no prior related experience to start their career in a dynamic, collegial research environment where you'll work closely with researchers, students, and visiting scholars from around the world.
As part of a small, close-knit admin team, you won't be boxed into a single function. Instead, you'll gain hands-on exposure across a wide range of areas — from grant management and research project support to HR matters, student PhD administration, and event management. This breadth is by design: our lean team structure means every member gets to see how a research institute really operates end-to-end, making this role especially attractive for a graduate who wants to learn fast, wear multiple hats, and figure out where their strengths lie early in their career.
You'll be part of a supportive team where your contributions are visible and valued, with a friendly, collegial atmosphere and exposure to cutting-edge research collaborations and international visitors.
Key Responsibilities
Operations, Procurement & Facilities Management
- Own end-to-end procurement operations for both Corp Lab and IORA — including equipment, pantry supplies, stationery, and printing consumables — ensuring the smooth, uninterrupted running of two research facilities
- Oversee pantry supply planning to maintain a well-stocked, welcoming environment for staff, students, and visitors
- Take ownership of asset and facilities management across both sites, including asset verification, tagging, and lifecycle tracking, ensuring full accountability and audit-readiness
International Visitor & Talent Coordination
- Serve as the key point of contact for visiting students, managing the full journey from Training Employment Pass (TEP) applications through seat assignment and onboarding — shaping their first impression of IORA
Workforce & Hiring Coordination
- Coordinate Non-Student Work Scheme (NSWS) hiring across multiple concurrent research projects, supporting the Lab's ability to scale its research capacity
Stakeholder Engagement, Events & Institutional Profile
- Plan and coordinate meetings and high-profile visits, often involving senior stakeholders and external partners
- Play a central role in organising flagship IORA events — including publicity campaigns and signing ceremonies — that raise the institute's profile and visibility
- Drive the planning and execution of IORA and joint seminars, contributing directly to the institute's thought leadership and research dissemination
Financial Administration & Claims Governance
- Manage the processing of conference claims for Corp Lab and other research collaborations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with institutional finance policies
- Process travel claims for the Director of IORA, supporting the Director's regional and international engagements
What We're Looking For
- A recent university graduate (any discipline) or candidates with up to 1–2 years of relevant experience
- Strong team player with a positive, can-do attitude
- Good organisational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to multi-task and manage priorities across a variety of administrative functions
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- A service-oriented mindset, comfortable liaising with students, staff, and international visitors
- Prior exposure to procurement, events, or office administration is a plus but not required — training will be provided
Why Join Us
- Supportive and collegial team environment
- Opportunity to work alongside researchers and international collaborators
- Rare, well-rounded exposure for an entry-level role — spanning grant management, research project management, HR matters, student PhD matters, and event management — a direct result of working within a small, close-knit team
- A great launchpad role for building a long-term career in research administration or operations
Career Progression
This role is designed to grow with you. As you gain familiarity with our operations, there is room to take on greater ownership — for example, leading procurement planning, coordinating larger events and seminars, or taking charge of onboarding processes for visiting students and new hires. Strong performers can progress toward a Senior Administrative Executive or Lab/Operations Manager track, with opportunities to broaden into areas such as HR coordination, finance administration, or research project support, depending on interest and performance. We are committed to supporting staff development through on-the-job mentoring, exposure to cross-functional work, and relevant training courses.