Principal Research Administration Officer - Chemical Engineering

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

Job summary

The University of Queensland is seeking a Principal Research Administration Officer in the School of Chemical Engineering at the St Lucia Campus, Brisbane. This full-time, permanent role offers a base salary of AU$106,709.01 to AU$116,198.52 per year plus 17% superannuation.

You will be the School’s main contact for research administration, guiding researchers through grant processes, helping develop early career researchers, and providing high-level advice on funding and governance.

Qualifications

• Experience in research administration or management.
• Ability to develop briefings and strategic reports with attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills for internal and external relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on research performance and administration.
• Coordinate submissions across funding opportunities and deadlines.
• Support researcher development and grant processes.
• Act as Secretary to the School Research Committee and manage the School website content.

Skills

Research admin

Grant mgmt

Data analysis

Stakeholder comms

Education

Degree + four years relevant experience or equivalent

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.

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.

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. 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.

The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ is situated. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. At the University of Queensland, we are proud to be one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions, consistently ranking among the top 50 universities worldwide. As a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, UQ is widely recognised for its intensive focus on research and teaching excellence – evidenced by our numerous accolades including more teaching awards than any other Australian University and reflected in UQ being the number one recipient of ARC Fellowships and Awards nationally across all scheme years (totalling 452 awards worth $339 million). Our state‑of‑the‑art facilities, libraries, and cutting‑edge research centres offer unparalleled opportunities for academic and professional growth. With five faculties, a number of globally recognised research institutes, and over 100 research centres, we attract an interdisciplinary community of more than 7000 staff, supporting more than 55,000 current students from over 137 countries. UQ is dedicated to supporting the career aspirations of our students and staff. Our comprehensive career services provide personalised guidance, skills development, and networking opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals. Whether you are a student seeking internships and job placements or a staff member looking for career advancement, UQ is here to support you every step of the way. UQ values equity, diversity and inclusion and seeks to reflect the broader community by attracting and retaining high‑quality staff from a range of backgrounds. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion aims to ensure that everyone at UQ feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. We are particularly interested to hear from people who bring diversity to UQ – whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability. Whether you are a recent graduate, an Academic, or an experienced professional, UQ offers a wide range of opportunities to help you grow and succeed. Explore our current job openings, discover our programs, and become part of a community that is dedicated to creating lasting, meaningful impact for the communities in which we live and work. For more information about working at UQ and our employee benefits (such as generous leave provisions, 17% superannuation, flexible working arrangements, and health and wellness discounts) please visit Why Work at UQ.