Research Infrastructure Lead

Swinburne University of Technology; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Staff discounts

Salary packaging & 17% super

Job summary

Swinburne University Of Technology is seeking a Research Infrastructure Lead to provide institution-wide leadership and governance of research infrastructure at our Hawthorn campus. The role will implement and embed the Research Infrastructure Action Plan, turning recommendations into practical governance, planning, quality management and delivery processes.

Reporting to the Chief Scientist, you will coordinate governance and prioritisation across academic and professional units, establish

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross‑organisational programs with broad scope and multiple stakeholders.
• Translate strategic priorities into practical operational plans and projects.
• Understand research infrastructure's role in supporting excellence, collaboration and impact in a university setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide institution-wide leadership, coordination and governance of research infrastructure.
• Translate the Research Infrastructure Action Plan into governance, planning, quality management and delivery processes.
• Coordinate governance, planning and prioritisation across the university’s academic and professional units.
• Embed and improve research infrastructure practices to support Swinburne’s Ad Astra strategy.

Skills

Program leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Cross-organisational coordination

Education

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

• Join the Research team at Swinburne University
• Full time, ongoing position at our Hawthorn campus
• HEW 9 salary + 17% superannuation

About The Role

The Research Infrastructure Lead will provide institution-wide leadership, coordination and governance of Swinburne’s research infrastructure. The role will initially lead the implementation and embedding of Swinburne’s Research Infrastructure Action Plan, translating its recommendations into practical governance, planning, quality management and delivery processes.

Reporting to the Chief Scientist, the role will coordinate research infrastructure governance, planning and prioritisation across the University’s distributed academic and professional environment. It will establish and maintain consistent approaches to lifecycle management, strategic investment, asset visibility, access, service quality and capability development, while monitoring effectiveness and driving continuous improvement.

Working with a high degree of autonomy, the Research Infrastructure Lead will work collaboratively with academic and professional staff to embed and continuously improve research infrastructure practices that support Swinburne’s strategic ambitions under the Ad Astra strategic plan.

About You

To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:

• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-organisational implementation programs with significant scope, ambiguity and stakeholder interdependency in a large and complex organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic priorities and recommendations into operational plans, deliverable projects and sustainable business practices.
• An understanding of the role of research infrastructure in supporting research excellence, collaboration, innovation and impact within a university or research-intensive environment.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement, consultation and influencing skills, with a demonstrated ability to build effective relationships and drive outcomes across organisational boundaries without direct line management authority.

Qualifications

A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline and extensive relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience, education and training

Further information about this role can be found in the attached position description.

About Swinburne University Of Technology

Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

Our Ad Astra strategy is the cornerstone of Swinburne’s bold ambition to lead globally in technology-driven education and research. This strategy positions us to create transformative solutions, empower learners, and partner with industry to thrive in an ever-changing world.

What We Offer You!

• Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle.
• Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
• Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world‑class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

Swinburne is proud to be recognised as an AWEI Gold Employer, reflecting our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where LGBTQIA+ employees, students and communities can thrive.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments can be requested at any stage of the recruitment process.

For reasonable adjustment requests - including accessible formats of the position description, application form, or other documents, please contact [e-mail] or call [phone]. Please note: this phone number is for disability and reasonable adjustment enquiries only. General enquiries about the role can also be emailed to [e-mail].

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.

As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.

Applications Close: Wednesday 21 October 2026, 11pm

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.