"Research Commercial Manager"

Job Description:

• Research Office
• Full-time, permanent position
• Base salary will be in the range $117,958- $132,247 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 8)
• Based at our St. Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

Join UQ as a Research Commercial Manager and play a pivotal role in advancing world-class research through developing strategic commercial partnerships. Embedded within the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), you will lead the negotiation, development and management of research contracts, ensuring outcomes align with UQ’s research agenda and partner needs.

This role offers significant scope to influence high-value research outcomes, operate with autonomy, and act as a trusted advisor to leading researchers. Working at the intersection of research, industry and government, you will contribute directly to the commercial and societal translation of innovative research.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary institute addressing global challenges across health, energy and the bioeconomy. If you thrive in a dynamic environment where commercial acumen, stakeholder engagement and research excellence converge, this is the opportunity for you.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead the negotiation, development and management of commercial research agreements, ensuring contractual arrangements align with UQ’s research strategy, legal, policy and ethical requirements, and partner needs.
• Act as the primary commercial interface for researchers and external partners, providing expert advice on pricing, risk, intellectual property, and contract structures to support successful research outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, coordinating input across Legal Services, Governance and Risk, UniQuest and research teams to facilitate timely, high-quality agreements.
• Support the effective delivery of commercial research projects by advising on contractual milestones, performance obligations and post-execution requirements, while promoting continuous improvement in commercial research practices.

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

About You

• Extensive experience in research contract negotiation and management, with the ability to operate autonomously within a large, complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of commercial principles, including pricing, risk management and intellectual property, applied effectively within research partnership contexts.
• Proven capability to engage with industry, government and research stakeholders, building trusted relationships that support successful commercial outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to review and interpret complex agreements, working collaboratively with legal and governance specialists to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes within tight timeframes.
• An outcomes-focused and adaptable approach, with the ability to rapidly assimilate new information and apply it to support research translation, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of the higher education research funding environment is desirable, with a legal background regarded as advantageous but not essential.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including right to work in Australia and a criminal 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.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Mr Simon Cashion, Senior Research Commercial Manager on s.cashion@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.

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. 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 2/02/2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-60238).

Posted: 20/01/2026