Senior Research Development Officer

Full-time
Employment Type: Full Time
Department ID: Office For Research - ORE
Appointment Type: Fixed Term

Company Description

Every institution values excellence. What matters most is why. Griffith was created to be a different type of university. You’ll find we’re about leading research, academic excellence, and the transformative power of education. But what sets us apart is why those things matter and how you’ll achieve them.

Why? Griffith brings together exceptional minds like yours from across the globe and from all walks of life. Here, we do incredible work, questioning and challenging, always in the pursuit of excellence.

Job Description

This Senior Research Development Officer role is one of a number of positions within the Research Development Team reporting centrally to the Deputy Director – Research Services, Office for Research. Each role is embedded within an Office of the Dean Research in an Academic Group or within a specific Research Institute, which provides day-to-day direction.

This position will be working within the Griffith Health Group, providing support to the Group’s researchers to grow the diversity and sustainability of the Group’s consultancy and commercial research (CCR) pipeline.

To be successful in the role you will utilise your knowledge of the Healthcare industry and research institutions, to identify and progress CCR opportunities, in collaboration with the Group's researchers and other Griffith offices such as Griffith Enterprise.

You will ensure coordination of these activities with Office for Research and Griffith Enterprise policies and procedures.

As a Senior Research Development Officer, you will:

Apply business development skills to identify potential external commercial research opportunities and partnerships with industry and government organisations (e.g. contract research, government tenders/RFQs, consultancies, etc).
Support researchers to find and develop consultancy and commercial research opportunities.
Assist with development of resources that position and showcase Griffith’s research capabilities and expertise to attract external research partnership opportunities.
Provide advice and hands on support to researchers in identifying, developing, and submitting CCR proposals, including budget planning and costing, resource estimation, value propositions, and timelines.
Implement strategies that build awareness and understanding of commercial considerations and imperatives amongst research staff and encourage consideration of CCR as an additional pathway alongside traditional research grants activity.
Develop and implement support processes for researchers new to CCR, including mentoring and referral to researcher development programs to assist in the achievement of successful outcomes for the Group/Institute.

About you As the successful candidate, you will hold postgraduate qualifications and extensive relevant experience, or a combination of relevant knowledge, training and or extensive experience in higher education, research, industry or government. The completion of a PhD will be highly regarded.

You will also have:

Some business experience and a good understanding of industry and commercial research.
The ability to assist researchers to identify, conceptualise and develop successful project proposals.
Experience in the review and synthesising of funding body requirements and development of commercially focused budgets to assist researchers to build competitive bids.
Well-developed analytical and problem-solving and research development skills, combined with an ability to work under broad direction, self-start and to work independently in a team environment.
Well-developed business development, communication, negotiation and relationship management skills including the ability to liaise with academic staff and colleagues at all levels.

Specific knowledge of industry requirements in the Health and medical sector would be highly desirable.

What we can offer This is a fixed term (two years), full-time position primarily based at Griffith University Gold Coast. As Griffith is a multi-site University there will be regular travel to work across other locations. Griffith University’s campuses are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Salary Range The full-time base salary for a HEW Level 8 is in the range $117,579 - $132,273 per annum, plus 17% employer superannuation. The total FTE package is in the range $137,567 - $154,759 per annum.

Additional Information

Why Griffith? As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer:

Wide range of Learning and Development opportunities
Mix of on campus and work from home options available and a supportive work environment
Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts
Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading
Health Safety and Wellbeing initiatives – on campus Gym facilities

How to apply At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. Our University is committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive community for all. In alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence (2025), Griffith University includes a declaration as part of the recruitment journey to uphold the values and standards of our community. Griffith University also maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of modern slavery. For more information, please refer to Griffith’s Modern Slavery Policy.

Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following:

A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the About you section above and the position description)
Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details

Applicants must have unrestricted working rights. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Successful candidates may be subject to a criminal history check.

For further information specifically about this role, please contact Lynette Farquhar, Deputy Director, Research Services at lynette.farquhar@griffith.edu.au.

For further application and recruitment advice, please contact Theresa Burke, Talent Acquisition Partner on theresa.burke@griffith.edu.au.

Closing date: Monday, 6 July 2026 at 11.59pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.

Please allow at least 1 – 2 weeks from the closing date to expect an application update.

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