"Principal Research Administration Officer"

Job Description:

• School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability
• Full-time, fixed-term position through to end of 2027
• Base salary will be in the range $102,565.37 - $111,686.39 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 7)
• Based across St Lucia and Gatton Campus

About This Opportunity

As a Principal Research Administration Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the research community by providing expert advice on funding opportunities and research support, both internal and external. You will guide researchers through every stage of the grants and ethics application process, ensuring compliance and maximising success, while also overseeing the administration of awarded grants.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research Advisory – Act as a senior subject matter expert, providing high-level guidance on grants, ethics, governance, systems, policies, and research performance to support academics and researchers.
• Funding & Grant Administration – Coordinate and oversee complex internal and external funding schemes, ensuring compliance, providing expert feedback, and managing timely submission of applications.
• Funding Opportunities – Identify, promote, and advocate for funding and partnership opportunities; lead or co-lead workshops and seminars; and maintain strong relationships with external agencies.
• Grant Lifecycle Management – Manage post-award processes including establishment, reporting, contracts, compliance, and data management, while preparing high-level briefings, statistics, and policy documentation.
• Leadership & Faculty Support – Supervise staff and research committees, oversee research performance reporting, and lead initiatives such as seminars, workshops, and research events to strengthen research culture.
• Strategic Engagement & Collaboration – Drive visibility of research activity through web and profile management, foster networks across UQ, and work closely with ADRs, Directors, RPMs, and central services to align with research strategy.

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
• UQ Study for Staff
• On campus childcare options
• Affordable parking (from just $6.15 a day)
• Salary packaging options

About You

• Completion of a degree related to Ag sciences with at least four years subsequent relevant experience; OR
• Extensive experience and management expertise on Agriculture related research projects; OR
• An equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• High level of computer proficiency and practical understanding of administrative computer applications, especially with data on mainframe corporate systems.
• Proficiency at an advanced level using computer software packages for word-processing, data storage and retrieval, and spreadsheets
• Detailed knowledge of higher education policies and procedures in relation to research administration, or demonstrated capacity to gain this knowledge
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• In depth knowledge of human resource policies and procedures or demonstrated capacity to gain this knowledge
• In depth knowledge of the University’s Faculties and Institutes or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge
• Demonstrated experience in the development of strong external and internal relationships
• Demonstrated ability to generate and write briefings, strategic reports, and/or policy papers with a high attention to detail, either in conjunction with other senior staff members or independently
• Demonstrated and well advanced experience in the area of research administration or research management
• Integrity, diplomacy and sensitivity in communicating with a wide range of client groups
• Ability to work cooperatively and constructively with staff from within a variety of settings from within the University and external to the University
• Excellent abilities as a team player