Senior Research Strategy and Operations Officer (Saint Lucia)

Senior Research Strategy and Operations Officer (Saint Lucia)

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About This Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Administration Officer (Finance, Engagement, Strategic Planning) to join the Biosustainability Hub and ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology at AIBN, based St Lucia Campus. In this role, you will provide high-level operational administrative and financial support to a dynamic research team working in Synthetic Biology as well as to the QMAP and IDEA Bio facility.

Key responsibilities will include:

Grant administration and finance management

- Administer the full lifecycle of research-grant administration, including project establishment, post-awards financial management, budget compliance, and reporting.
- Assist CIs and academic team with research grants/contract budget preparation
- Monitor project finances and expenditure, providing advice on budget utilisation and forecasting.
- Oversee and coordinate all invoicing and payment processes for QMAP, IDE Bio and other project transactions
- Regular monitoring and review to ensure administrative and financial process remain compliant with current UQ and funding body guidelines

​Governance, Communication and engagement

- Coordinate research outreach and engagement activities, including conferences, workshops, community engagements, and facility sponsorship to promote the visibility and impact of the project
- Prepare and deliver quarterly/biannual financial, KPI and grant reports (e.g. NCRIS, ARC, and internal reporting), in accordance with funding requirement
- Liaise with key University stakeholders, including HR, Finance, and Research contracts and Awards, and Faculty/Institute teams to ensure effective coordination of governance and administration matters

Quality Management and ISO9001 Responsibilities

- Oversee and coordinate quality-management activities for the QMAP facility, ensuring ongoing ISO9001 certification and compliance of administrative and operational processes with established quality-system standards
- Maintain and update Quality Management System (QMS) documentations
- Coordinate internal and external ISO9001 audits and monitor compliance and quality performance

General Administrative

- Coordinate travel arrangements, including trip planning; travel administration and post-travel reconciliation
- Provide day to day administrative oversight to support efficient operation across QMAP, IDEA Bio, ARC CoESB and other projects





This is a Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 2.5 years at HEW Level 6

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.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

- Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave
- 17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading
- Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight
- Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
- Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program
- On campus childcare options
- Affordable parking (from just $6.40 a day)
- Salary packaging options

About You

- Completion of a degree in science, business administration, or a related discipline, with at least 4 years of relevant experience working in a university research setting or supporting research operation, administration or management
- In-depth understanding of the UQ research administration process with demonstrated experience overseeing research grant administration across multiple projects, or the capacity to acquire that knowledge rapidly
- Proficiency in UQ’s research and financial system
- Proven ability to manage budgets, financial reporting and grant compliance




- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the capacity to build productive relationships with academic and professional stakeholders
- Demonstrate experience in coordinating or maintaining ISO9001 certification process and quality management systems
- Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team or independently as necessary and exercise judgement and initiative

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check etc.

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.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Mariko Terasaki Hart - [email protected]

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected], stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

- Resume
- A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact [email protected].

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close 3 December 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-57494). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for early December 2025.

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Apply on Kit Job: kitjobau.com/job/2rm12m

📌 Senior Research Strategy and Operations Officer (Saint Lucia)
🏢 The University of Queensland
📍 Saint Lucia