- Two-year fixed term, full-time contract, Bentley-based.
- Generous leave + superannuation entitlements & work-life balance options
- On-campus amenities including a gym, medical centre & childcare facilities

Job Reference Number: 1644839 Help shape the future of geoscience research Have you built your career in exploration, mining or geoscience and want to stay connected to the industry while influencing what's next? We're looking for a commercially minded relationship-builder who can connect industry challenges with world-leading research. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of academia and industry, helping organisations tackle complex geoscience problems while enabling innovative research with real-world impact.

Whether you've worked as a geologist, exploration qualified, technical consultant or business development specialist in the resources sector, this role offers a chance to leverage your industry knowledge, network and commercial acumen in a new way.

About the Role

As Business Development Manager, you'll be responsible for growing industry and government engagement with the Curtin Frontier Institute for Geoscience Solutions (CFIGS), identifying opportunities for collaborative research, and developing funded projects that address industry needs.

You won't be conducting the research yourself. Instead, you'll work alongside leading academics and researchers, helping to translate industry challenges into research opportunities and bringing together the right expertise to deliver meaningful solutions. From initial conversations through to project establishment, you'll play a key role in nurturing partnerships and advancing projects that can reduce exploration risk and improve outcomes across exploration, mining, resource development, processing and rehabilitation.

This position would suit someone looking for a change of pace from traditional industry roles while remaining closely connected to the exploration and mining sectors and contributing to the future of research and innovation.

Flexible working arrangements, including consideration of 0.8 FTE (four days per week), are available for the right candidate.

Your responsibilities will include

- Work with the Director, Leadership Group and CFIGS researchers to identify and prioritise opportunities for industry funded research, strategic collaboration and relevant external funding.
- Develop and implement business development strategies that increase industry awareness of CFIGS, generate qualified leads and convert prospective opportunities into funded research projects by engaging with new and existing industry relationships.
- Proactively engage with exploration, mining, minerals processing and related organisations to understand their technical challenges, investment priorities and emerging research needs.
- Translate industry challenges into clearly defined research opportunities and connect prospective partners with the most appropriate CFIGS researchers, services and analytical capabilities.
- Coordinate initial project scoping between industry partners and CFIGS researchers.
- Represent CFIGS at relevant industry conferences, technical forums, workshops, networking events and partner meetings to build visibility and develop new opportunities, as directed by the CFIGS leadership.




- Use the CFIGS Geo Shopfront and other communication channels to promote research services, respond to enquiries and accelerate the progression of prospective projects from initial interest to a defined scope of work.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with CFIGS researchers and other relevant University staff to ensure that industry opportunities are progressed in a coordinated, timely and professional manner.

Who we are looking for (Selection Criteria):

- Experience in the exploration, mining, minerals or related resources sector, with a strong understanding of industry operations and technical decision-making.
- A background in geoscience, geology or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
- Strong industry networks and the ability to engage credibly with technical specialists, managers, executives and other key stakeholders.
- The commercial mindset to identify opportunities and develop collaborative projects that create value for both industry and researchers.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, commercially relevant outcomes.
- Experience developing partnerships, managing opportunities and progressing initiatives from concept to delivery.

Role Requirements

- As this is a fixed-term contract, you will require current work rights in Australia that match the tenure of this role to be considered.
- Successful applicants are subject to a National Police Clearance, and background, integrity, and reference checks to Curtin’s satisfaction

Your new Team - CFIGS: The CFIGS team brings together leading researchers to solve industry-relevant geoscience challenges and drive innovation across the resources sector. In this role, you'll work with passionate researchers and influential industry stakeholders, helping create partnerships that deliver tangible impact.

For more information, please visit https://www.cfigs.com.au/.

Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace:

At Curtin University, we value the diversity of the community and are passionate about fostering an inclusive culture in which all people feel respected, valued, welcome and protected.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering is committed to equity and opportunity in all aspects of employment including recruitment, career development, promotion and workplace support.

To demonstrate this commitment, the faculty has developed a Diversity Awareness Program with a key focus on the areas of gender equity, diverse sex, sexuality and gender, ethnicity, disability and accessibility, and health and wellness. We aim to promote and improve awareness and participation of diversity and inclusion initiatives through the appointment of diversity representatives and male champions of change across the faculty.

As a university and faculty, we believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation and drive excellence, and we encourage applications from every background,



including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people of diverse gender, sex and sexuality, people with disability and people from culturally and racially diverse backgrounds to join the Faculty of Science and Engineering and make tomorrow better.

Applicants with disability who require adjustments, or alternative methods of communication in the recruitment process can contact our friendly team at [email protected].

To find out more about our comprehensive diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives, please visit https://www.curtin.edu.au/about/values-vision-strategy/diversity-equity/gender-equity-and-inclusion/.

For more information on Curtin’s 2030 Strategic Plan, please visit https://www.curtin.edu.au/about/values-vision-strategy/curtin-2030-strategic-plan/

About Curtin University

Curtin University proudly stands among the top one percent of global universities according to the ARWU 2025 rankings. We are an energetic, dedicated team of academics and professionals working together to provide global solutions through quality graduates and innovative research. Curtin is a welcoming space where integrity, respect for one another, courage, excellence, and impact are essential to everyday life.

First

Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information, please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page - https://staff.curtin.edu.au/discover-curtin/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-curtin/

What We Offer You

This two-year fixed term, full-time G08 level role attracts a remuneration of $122,699 - $130,758 + 17% superannuation.

Situated on Whadjuk Nyungar Country, our vibrant Bentley campus includes an art gallery, gym, childcare and medical centre, bus station, accessible parking and endless food options including a supermarket. Aside from the vibrant campus life, we offer more than just a job. Curtin offers a wide range of generous benefits, including additional leave, salary packaging, health and wellbeing services and an array of discounts for retail, travel and much more.

For more reasons to work at Curtin, please visit https://staff.curtin.edu.au/discover-curtin/

Join Us!

If this sounds like your next role, please click APPLY NOW ensuring to attach the following documents:

- Up-to-date Resume
- Cover Letter outlining your interest and demonstrating how your background meets the position’s selection criteria (noted above) - no more than two pages.

If you have any queries in relation to this opportunity or the application process, please contact our careers team on [email protected] or 08 9266 9000 (option 3,1), quoting the reference number. Applications will not be accepted via this email address, and late applications will not be accepted. Applications close: 9pm (AWST), Thursday, 8 October 2026

Please note we are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies at this time.

Curtin reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw from the recruitment process, remove the advert, not to make an appointment, or to appoint by invitation, at any time.

📌 Business Development Manager (Perth)
🏢 Curtin University
📍 Perth