Job Description

• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.
• Full-time, fixed-term position through to 31 January 2030.
• Base salary will be in the range $120,317 to $134,892 + 17% super (HEW Level 8).
• Based at our St Lucia Campus.

About This Opportunity

Join the Australian Research Council Research (ARC) Hub for Engineering Plants to Replace Fossil Carbon and help turn visionary research into meaningful global impact. Led by the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, the Hub brings together The University of Queensland, the University of Adelaide, the University of Copenhagen and industry partners to develop new plant varieties that enable sustainable production of sugars from crop ‘waste’ (plant biomass) as a base for renewable carbon products. Only now possible through emerging technologies, the Hub expects to translate extensive foundational research and world-leading expertise into cost-effective sustainable aviation fuel.

Working in a purposeful, collaborative and internationally connected environment, you will support the Hub’s strategic, operational and research objectives.

Key responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

• Lead the Hub’s project administration and program management activities, including program strategy, contracting, intellectual property management, risk management, monitoring and evaluation, data management, and the delivery of fit-for-purpose project documentation.
• Manage governance and reporting requirements, coordinate updates for the Hub Steering Committee and Industry Advisory Committee, monitor key performance indicators, and support compliance with ARC, legislative and University requirements.
• Build trusted relationships across academic, professional, government and industry networks, while coordinating stakeholder engagement, communications, change activities and interdisciplinary international collaborations.
• Lead financial planning and management for the Hub, including multi-year budgets across partner organisations, financial reporting, funding-rule compliance and the development of sound financial and administrative practices.

About You

• Postgraduate qualifications, or progress towards postgraduate qualifications, in business, project management or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant qualifications and workplace experience.
• Extensive relevant experience in a university or similarly large and complex environment, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education or training.
• Substantial knowledge of research development and innovation processes, including experience supporting complex, externally funded research initiatives.
• Significant project management and reporting experience, with the ability to coordinate concurrent priorities, deadlines, risks, dependencies and deliverables within defined time, budget and resource constraints.
• Demonstrated experience in financial and administrative management, including monitoring expenditure, preparing financial reports, supporting budget management and ensuring compliance with relevant funding and organisational requirements.
• High-level interpersonal, liaison and negotiation skills, with demonstrated success in developing productive relationships across diverse internal and external stakeholder groups.
• Strong organisational capability, sound judgement and close attention to detail, with the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and time constraints and adapt effectively in a changing environment.
• Experience leading or coordinating professional staff and project teams, including planning work, supporting development and creating clarity across complex programs.
• Highly developed written communication skills, including the ability to prepare formal proposals, reports, governance papers and other documentation for specialist and highly educated audiences.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, working together to create a better world. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available.

Enjoy up to 26 weeks paid parental and primary care leave, 17% super, 17.5% leave loading, flexible and hybrid working options, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, on-campus childcare, affordable parking, and salary packaging.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Karine Chenu, Professorial Research Fellow, at karine.chenu@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.

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume and cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, criminal history checks. 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.

We’re dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing talent@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close Tuesday 29 September at 11.00pm AEST (R-69141).