The Opportunity An exciting opportunity is available for a Head of Pipeline Development to join Burnet Institute and play a key leadership role in advancing our research translation and commercialisation pipeline.

In this role, you will lead Burnet's early-stage translation portfolio, identifying promising research, technology and intellectual property and developing these opportunities to the point of commercial readiness. Working closely with researchers and internal stakeholders, you will build the market, IP and commercial evidence needed to move opportunities from discovery towards investment, partnership, licensing or venture pathways.

You will also

- Identify and assess research, technology and intellectual property with commercial potential.
- Work with researchers to shape early-stage opportunities into credible commercial propositions.
- Evaluate market opportunities, customer needs, IP readiness and commercial viability.
- Develop business cases, customer validation activities and translation pathways to progress promising opportunities.
- Lead and prioritise a pipeline of early-stage opportunities, determining whether they are best suited to Partnerships or Ventures pathways.
- Lead, mentor and develop the Pipeline Development team while building translational capability across Burnet through advice, workshops and stakeholder engagement.

Refer to the attached position description for full details.

This is an ongoing, full-time position based at 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Boonwurrung Land, with adaptable working arrangements including the opportunity to work from home.

Let's talk about you The following criteria are essential requirements:

- A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline such as science, engineering, business, digital or a related field.
- Demonstrated success with 5+ years of experience in research translation, innovation, technology transfer, commercialisation or a related research-intensive environment.
- Demonstrated ability to assess early-stage research ideas, including market potential, customer need, IP readiness and commercial viability.
- Strong understanding of intellectual property protection,



commercialisation pathways and opportunity triage across licensing, partnership and venture pathways.
- Experience working with researchers in a university, institute or research environment, including familiarity with commercialisation governance and approval processes.
- Strong project management, communication, stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach and mentor staff to deliver high-quality outcomes.

The following is preferable/desirable but not essential:
- Experience developing business cases, undertaking customer validation, developing translation plans or supporting venture formation in deep tech, digital health or other research-intensive domains.

The Burnet experience…

We want you to have a successful and meaningful career at Burnet and are committed to providing a supportive workplace environment for all our people. You will be part of a collaborative culture where progressive leadership, innovation, respect, and excellence are valued. Join a team of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do - achieving a more equitable world through better health.

We offer

- A monthly accrued day off for full-time staff
- 14 weeks paid parental leave - no qualifying period
- Study leave
- Flexible working arrangements
- Generous salary packaging
- Opportunities for career and professional development

Who are we?

Burnet Institute is a leading Australian, unaligned, not-for-profit, organisation passionate about social justice, equality and evidence-based research.

Burnet Institute brings together a highly diverse skill base, with more than 600 staff and students working across cutting-edge research and projects to address some of the most relevant global health issues.



Institute-wide interdisciplinary health programs Disease Elimination, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness, and Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health are at the heart of our daily decision making. Harnessing our international and local field presence, our laboratories, and our mixed development and research cultures drives a greater focus on the most relevant health issues and achieves a greater impact as a result.

Whilst our headquarters is in Melbourne, Australia, we also have offices in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Myanmar and are actively involved in research and public health programs throughout Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa. Burnet is the only unaligned organisation in Australia that has dual accreditation with both the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Bring your whole self to work

At Burnet, we foster a diverse and inclusive culture. We want our people to feel like they belong and are free to be themselves at work. We have an active Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (GEDI) Council that works to promote and improve gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the Institute, by developing and implementing strategies informed by both national and international best practice and staff input.

Burnet holds an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award from Science in Gender Equity (SAGE). If you have a reasonable adjustment, support, or access requirement at any stage of the recruitment process, we encourage you to let us know by emailing [email protected].

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Apply below and attach the following documents:

- Resume
- Cover Letter

Applications close at 11:59pm AEST on Monday, 31 August 2026 As part of our commitment to gender equity, we have included a question in the application process on gender. This will allow us to monitor and report on gender in relation to our recruitment process.

Burnet is committed to providing a child safe environment. The successful applicant will be required to complete a National Police Check, and all applicants must hold current Australian working rights.

📌 Head of Pipeline Development (Melbourne)
🏢 Burnet Institute
📍 Melbourne