Research Group Senior Manager

Overview

HEO9 $132,705 to $141,974 per annum plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation applies.

24 Months Fixed term Full time position until Oct 2027.

The University of Adelaide is recognised as one of the nation's most respected research-intensive universities, challenging and inspiring graduates to make a real difference. The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology (SET) holds an outstanding reputation for teaching, research, and quality graduates. The faculty is responsible for teaching and research across wide range of disciplines including Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Architecture, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, Agriculture, Food and Wine and Animal and Veterinary Science. The Faculty of SET is an innovative and agile working environment that champions excellence, diversity and inclusion in our teaching, research, and global engagement leadership.

Role purpose

A Research Group Senior Manager is required to support the activities of the Precision Measurement Group at the Institute for Photonics at the University of Adelaide. This award-winning team of 25 people has demonstrated success in developing very high-performance quantum technologies. These devices have been validated in both international and national field trials, in real-world environments, and with high value partners. The research group is formed from a diverse team of both physicists and engineers, some working remotely, and with a wide range of skillsets. The team's activities bridge from proof-of-concept testing in the laboratory to delivery of fully automated, turn-key systems for use in real-world environments. The group is one of the best funded groups in Australia with a broad range of sponsors with complex milestones and deliverables. The team needs support to ensure that tasks are achieved on schedule and on budget while also working closely with industry partners to ensure commercialization of the outputs of the group. This is an opportunity to work with some of the nation's best researchers and assist them to see their efforts turned into real-world impact.

Responsibilities

• Support a large team with a high degree of autonomy and vision while ensuring alignment with strategic goals, particularly in complex or research-oriented environments.
• Foster strong relationships across diverse internal and external stakeholders, collaborating across sectors to remove barriers, influence outcomes, and deliver shared objectives.
• Management of significant budgets and intellectual property, with a focus on planning, resource allocation, and prioritisation to meet deadlines and achieve high-impact results.
• Prepare high-quality executive reports and committee papers; handle conflict resolution and manage sensitive staffing and HR issues with sound judgment.
• Promote and model organisational values such as integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery, contributing to a positive, accountable, and inclusive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Qualifications in management, project management, business or administration or an equivalent combination of experience and education/training.
• Desirable – experience in an environment that supports technical objectives (science or engineering) or qualifications in a technical field (science or engineering).

The path to Adelaide University

We are on an exciting path to Adelaide University as we prepare to open our doors in January 2026. Adelaide University will combine the strengths of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, and we are dedicated to creating an accessible and future-focused educational powerhouse that fosters economic and social wellbeing through ground-breaking research and innovative teaching. You can learn more about Adelaide University and more information will be provided throughout the recruitment process.

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

We offer a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs – including significant industry, government and community collaboration – offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.

Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.

We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life. We offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits, including salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

Learn more at: Adelaide University jobs

Your faculty's broader role

The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance.

Learn more at: set.adelaide.edu.au

If you have the talent, we'll give you the opportunity. Together, let's make history.

Click on the 'Apply Now' button to be taken through to the online application form. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description or selection criteria document.

Applications close 11:55pm, 6 October 2025.

The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

Professor Andre Luiten
Chair of Experimental Physics / IPAS Chief Innovator
E: andrew.luiten@adelaide.edu.au

You'll find a full position description and/or selection criteria below. If no links appear, try viewing on another device.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.

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