Research and Business Coordinator

- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI)

- Full-time fixed-term position for up to 3 years starting Jan 2026

- Base salary will be in the range $102,565.37 - $111,686.39 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 7)

- Based at our St Lucia Campus

Help Shape the Future of Agricultural Research at UQ

As the Research Business Coordinator, you’ll play a pivotal role within QAAFI’s Business Development team, supporting the smooth coordination of research operations and partnerships across our Centres. Reporting to the Head of Business Development, you’ll help connect people, systems, and insights to ensure QAAFI’s research programs are well-managed, well-supported, and strategically aligned.

Your work will span the full research lifecycle, from identifying and capturing new opportunities, to coordinating data and resources, to supporting the delivery of key partnerships and reporting obligations. Working collaboratively with Centre Directors, Chief Investigators, and teams across Research Grants, Finance, and Business Development, you’ll provide clarity, coordination, and structure that help our researchers focus on what matters most, delivering innovation that strengthens Queensland’s agriculture and food industries.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys bringing order to complexity, thrives on collaboration, and takes pride in enabling research excellence through operational and strategic support.

Key responsibilities will include:

- Manage the UQ/GRDC Sorghum Strategic Alliance: oversee planning, governance, and reporting activities, ensuring smooth coordination, communication, and documentation between UQ, GRDC, and key stakeholders.

- Coordinate with QAAFI leadership: work closely with Centre Directors and Chief Investigators to capture research opportunities in the pre-pipeline system and guide consistent data entry and reporting practices.

- Drive financial and operational alignment: collaborate with QAAFI Finance and Commercial teams to monitor project pipelines, staff commitments, and revenue forecasts, and ensure accurate data for DPI and GRDC reporting obligations.

- Support project delivery and compliance: provide guidance on budgets, business plans, and reporting requirements, and oversee the timely transition of approved projects to the QAAFI Commercial Office.

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 and purchased leave.

- 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 $6.15 a day)

- Salary packaging options

About You

- Completion of an undergraduate degree, with at least four years subsequent relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

- Relevant administrative or project coordination/management experience in a tertiary education institution or other educational services provider, including a minimum of two years at an intermediate level successfully influencing staff to achieve effective outcomes.

- High level of computer skills, in particular the Microsoft suite of products (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook) and other specialist software applications and databases (e.g. SmartSheet) or the ability to rapidly gain such knowledge.

- Demonstrated experience of project coordination responsibilities including assisting with research project budgets, contracting processes, project reporting and financial reporting requirements within a higher education research funding or other contractual funding environment.

- Demonstrated experience supporting financial reporting and assisting with the development, monitoring and reconciliation of project budgets.

- Excellent interpersonal skills (including written and verbal communication), with experience in liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including the ability to provide advice and negotiate to achieve desired outcomes.

- High level analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to perform statistical analyses, explain data trends and develop innovative solutions to problems.

- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team, managing workloads and multiple projects in an environment characterised by tight and competing deadlines.

- Ability to use sound judgement and initiative in non-routine situations and adaptable to change.

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

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 Mr Oliver Benjamin Frith, Head of Business Development at o.frith@uq.edu.au.

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, 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 talent@uq.edu.au.

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 Sunday November 23rd 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-58148). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week commencing December 1st, 2025.

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