Strategic Research Contracts Lead

Randstad Pty; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad is recruiting a proven Research Contracts Officer for a prominent higher education partner in Melbourne. You will draft, review, redline and negotiate a diverse portfolio of research and commercial agreements, with autonomy and a focus on risk management.

Working within an agile academic environment, you will handle ARC NHMRC CRCs, IP licensing, and complex clauses, balancing publication rights and confidentiality while maintaining meticulous audit trails in contract systems.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience drafting, reviewing and redlining complex, multi-party commercial and research agreements.
• Ability to propose alternative wording to unblock negotiations between policy and commercial demands.
• Mastery of high-risk clauses including indemnities, liability caps, warranties, IP and publication timing.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, redline, and negotiate a diverse portfolio of research and commercial agreements.
• Assess legal, financial and operational risks and prepare formal risk recommendations.
• Maintain meticulous audit trails in contract management systems.
• Navigate ARC/NHMRC/CRC funding frameworks and IP licensing arrangements.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

IP/IPR knowledge

Risk assessment

Stakeholder management

Tools

Contract management software

Job description

Randstad is recruiting a proven Research Contracts Officer for a prominent higher education partner in Melbourne. You will draft, review, redline and negotiate a diverse portfolio of research and commercial agreements, with autonomy and a focus on risk management.

Working within an agile academic environment, you will handle ARC NHMRC CRCs, IP licensing, and complex clauses, balancing publication rights and confidentiality while maintaining meticulous audit trails in contract systems.