Principal Project Officer - Commercial Determinants of Health

• School of Public Health
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position through until May 2027
• Base salary will be in the range $104,616 - $113,920 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 7)
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Based at our Herston Campus

About This Opportunity

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Principal Project Officer to lead and manage research activities as part of the NHMRC-funded project, ‘Commercial Determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in Remote Stores’. This pivotal role involves overseeing all aspects of project coordination, ensuring deliverables are met on time, within budget, and to the highest standard.

As the Principal Project Officer, you will contribute to meaningful research and engage with diverse stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, industry partners, and academic teams. The role offers a chance to make a significant impact by advancing health outcomes in remote communities through robust research and collaboration.

This role requires regular travel to remote areas across Australia, with trips of up to one week at a time mostly throughout this year. We’re looking for someone who is open, adaptable and willing to work in diverse field environments.

Key responsibilities span project coordination, administration, stakeholder engagement, financial management, and the provision of expert advice on project execution. Your expertise in qualitative research, project management, and stakeholder relations will be critical to the success of this initiative.

About UQ

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, 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
• Affordable parking (from just $6.40 a day)
• Salary packaging options

About You

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with at least 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Proven expertise in project management of a similar scale and scope, with demonstrated success in planning, prioritising tasks, and meeting tight deadlines.
• Strong project planning and organisational skills, with the ability to anticipate requirements, resolve issues, and ensure smooth project delivery.
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities, using sound judgement and reasoning to provide accurate and consistent advice in diverse situations.
• Effective interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including researchers, community members, and leaders from remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Proficiency in NVivo or the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies is advantageous.
• Subject matter expertise in remote food retail and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is advantageous, along with the ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural and dynamic operational environment.

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, criminal history checks, and other role-specific requirements such as mandatory immunisations. 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.

Conflict of Interest

All staff, students, and collaborators involved in this project are required to declare any conflicts of interest, including financial or non-financial relationships with food or beverage companies over the past three years, or any other relationships that may unduly influence their execution of the project. Conflicts, whether actual or perceived, will be assessed and managed using appropriate strategies to ensure the integrity of the research.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Associate Professor Megan Ferguson.

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.

Want to Apply?

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.

Other Information

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 Tuesday 14 April 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-63397). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for Friday, 24 April 2026.