Principal Research Administration Officer - Chemical Engineering

University of Queensland; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 107,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Salary packaging

On-campus childcare

Flexible working options

Job summary

University of Queensland in Brisbane seeks a Principal Research Administration Officer to lead research administration within the School of Chemical Engineering. You will guide researchers through grant processes, support career development, and provide high-level advice on funding and performance.

You will connect researchers with faculty and university support, influence governance, and manage reporting while driving research success and reputation.

Qualifications

• Completion of a degree with at least four years subsequent relevant experience; OR extensive experience and management expertise; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Demonstrated and well-advanced experience in research administration or research management.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to investigate problems, seek information and interpret situations.
• Excellent written communication skills with demonstrated experience in preparing briefings and strategic reports with a high attention to detail, either in conjunction with other senior staff members or independently.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with demonstrated experience in the development of strong external and internal relationships including the importance of integrity, diplomacy and sensitivity in communicating with a wide range of client groups.
• Ability to work cooperatively and constructively as a team player with staff from a variety of settings within the University and external to the University.
• High level of computer proficiency and practical understanding of corporate administrative computer systems related to research administration as well as computer software packages for word-processing, data storage and retrieval, and spreadsheets.
• Experience in sourcing, analysing, and interpreting data relevant to research administration.
• Experience in the Higher Education Sector with a sound knowledge of administrative policies and procedures would be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Research Advisory: Provide expert advice and guidance on the School’s research performance and profile, research administration processes and requirements, and online submission and application systems. Advise on UQ research processes, research governance, policies and procedures. Connect researchers with key contacts across the Faculty, the Research Office and broader UQ. Support researcher development, particularly early career researchers. Keep abreast of relevant sector changes and research opportunities.
• Funding and Grant Administration: Provide expert advice, guidance and critique to support researchers in developing high-quality funding applications, coordinating submissions across a range of funding opportunities, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Funding Opportunities & Research Development: Support researchers to identify funding opportunities, communicate relevant research opportunities, and coordinate research seminars, events and development activities that strengthen research capability and sustainability.
• Other responsibilities: Act as Secretary to the School Research Committee and manage the research content on the School’s website and intranet. Undertake independent projects as required.

Skills

Research administration

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Data analysis

Computer proficiency

Education

Four-year degree with relevant experience

Higher Education sector knowledge

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Data storage & retrieval

Job description

• School of Chemical Engineering – Faculty of EAIT
• Full-time (100%), Permanent position
• Full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $106,709.01 - $116,198.52 + 17% super (HEW Level 7)
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position
• Based at our St Lucia Campus - Brisbane

About This Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a dynamic and high performing research environment where you will help turn great ideas into research impact, supporting researchers to secure funding, navigate grant processes and develop high-quality applications that strengthen the School’s research success.

As Principal Research Administration Officer , you will be the School’s main contact for research administration. You will work closely with researchers to guide them through grant and funding processes, help develop early career researchers, and provide analysis and reporting on research performance. You will provide high-level advice and expert guidance on research funding, grants and research administration, and connect researchers with support across the Faculty and the wider University, helping to strengthen the School’s research performance, capability and reputation.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research Advisory: Provide expert advice and guidance on the School’s research performance and profile, research administration processes and requirements, and online submission and application systems. Advise on UQ research processes, research governance, policies and procedures. Connect researchers with key contacts across the Faculty, the Research Office and broader UQ. Support researcher development, particularly early career researchers. Keep abreast of relevant sector changes and research opportunities.

• Funding and Grant Administration: Provide expert advice, guidance and critique to support researchers in developing high-quality funding applications, coordinating submissions across a range of funding opportunities, ensuring deadlines are met.

• Funding Opportunities & Research Development: Support researchers to identify funding opportunities, communicate relevant research opportunities, and coordinate research seminars, events and development activities that strengthen research capability and sustainability.

• Other responsibilities: Act as Secretary to the School Research Committee and manage the research content on the School’s website and intranet. Undertake independent projects as required.

About You

• Completion of a degree with at least four years subsequent relevant experience; OR extensive experience and management expertise; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

• Demonstrated and well-advanced experience in research administration or research management.

• Excellent problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to investigate problems, seek information and interpret situations.

• Excellent written communication skills with demonstrated experience in preparing briefings and strategic reports with a high attention to detail, either in conjunction with other senior staff members or independently.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with demonstrated experience in the development of strong external and internal relationships including the importance of integrity, diplomacy and sensitivity in communicating with a wide range of client groups.

• Ability to work cooperatively and constructively as a team player with staff from a variety of settings within the University and external to the University.

• High level of computer proficiency and practical understanding of corporate administrative computer systems related to research administration as well as computer software packages for word-processing, data storage and retrieval, and spreadsheets.

• Experience in sourcing, analysing, and interpreting data relevant to research administration.

• Experience in the Higher Education Sector with a sound knowledge of administrative policies and procedures would be highly regarded.

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, 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 working options, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, on‑campus childcare, affordable parking, and salary packaging.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, mandatory immunisations, and Blue Card 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 are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We are also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing [e-mail] or calling [phone].

Applications close on Monday, 30 November 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-70512). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for 7th or 8th of December 2026.