"Research Operations Manager"

Job Description:

• Sustainable Minerals Institute – Faculty of EAIT
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position until 30 June 2028
• Base salary will be in the range $115,645.22 - $129,654.48 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 8)
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

CRC TiME, a cooperative research centre co-hosted by UWA and UQ, is seeking an experienced and motivated Research Operations Manager to lead the operational delivery of our diverse and dynamic research portfolio. In this pivotal role, you will support the Research Director, Program Leaders, and CEO in ensuring the successful execution of our national research program focused on transformative mine closure.

This role sits at the intersection of research and operations, offering a high level of autonomy and responsibility. You will report to the Research Director, work closely with the Chief Financial Officer, and supervise a Senior Research Administration Officer (HEW 6).

We are looking for someone with strong organisational and communication skills, financial and contract management experience, and a collaborative mindset.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research operations – contracts, funding and project progress: You will play a key role in managing the development and delivery of CRC TiME’s research portfolio, including supporting funding proposals, negotiating project agreements, and overseeing IP, data, and utilisation arrangements. The role involves monitoring project progress, ensuring alignment with strategic and grant obligations, managing scholarships and in-kind contributions, supporting operational systems like Turnkey CRC, and supervising a Research Administration Officer.
• Financial management of the portfolio of projects: Responsible for managing financial and in-kind contributions from partners, tracking income and expenditure, coordinating with the CFO, and ensuring commitments are met. The role includes monitoring project milestones for payments, preparing budget forecasts, and reporting to management and the Board to support funding decisions.
• Governance and reporting: Coordinate reporting to the Department of Industry and contribute to the annual report. Provide regular updates to CRC TiME leadership and governance bodies, and advise on research operations, planning, IP, commercialisation, and risk to support strategic decision-making.
• Partnerships: Maintain strong relationships with partners, support project planning and delivery, and manage agreements, budgets, and scholarships. Provide annual reports on partner contributions and research income for HERDC reporting.

About CRC TiME

CRC TiME is a 10-year industry-led research program, launched in 2020, coordinated by CRC TiME Ltd, a non-profit company that manages government, industry, and research funding. With 12 staff across three teams—research, operations, and external relations—the program is led by a Research Director and four part-time academic Program Leaders overseeing projects conducted by nine partner research institutes. Hosted jointly by the University of Queensland and the University of Western Australia, CRC TiME’s head office and CEO are based at UWA, while key research staff are seconded from UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute.

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

• Postgraduate qualifications or equivalent experience, with extensive relevant background in research operations or related fields.
• Proven expertise in contracts, negotiations, and interpreting research-related agreements.
• Understanding of intellectual property rights and government funding schemes, especially with industry and cross-institutional collaborations.
• Experience in planning, delivering, managing research projects or similar programs, including monitoring, reporting, and operational problem-solving.
• Skilled in training and guiding researchers and colleagues on templates, software systems, and data management tools, with proficiency in Excel and databases; experience with Turnkey CRC or Salesforce is a plus.
• Strong operational planning and management skills covering project/program management, risk management, financial oversight, and business reporting.
• Highly developed interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills, with proven ability to build and maintain internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in team management, including organizing work, performance management, and staff development.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check, mandatory immunisations, etc.

Work Rights: 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.