Project Officer

The Skeletal Diseases Program (co-led by Profs Mike Rogers and Jackie Center) is one of six new strategic research programs at the Garvan Institute. This multi-disciplinary team consists of laboratory-based and clinical researchers working together, with national and international partners, to address major challenges in bone health, with a specific focus on osteoporosis and cancer-associated bone disease. With the generous support of Mrs Janice Gibson and the Ernest Heine Family Foundation (EHFF), the Program is undertaking ground-breaking avenues of research in two key areas of osteoporosis: the cellular control of bone loss (led by Prof Peter Croucher, A/Prof Tri Phan and A/Prof Michelle McDonald), and causes of mortality after fracture and therapeutic interventions (led by Prof Jackie Center, Prof Mike Rogers and Dr Marcia Munoz). A Project Officer position is now available to provide key support to this exciting initiative and to enable the Program’s longer-term research strategy and objectives.

The Opportunity

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities include:

- Support the Skeletal Diseases Program’s communications strategy, including website updates, and coordinate stakeholder engagement.
- Coordinate data compilation, storage and exchange.
- Coordinate the storage, distribution and tracking of research samples.
- Oversee general administration and day-to-day documentation and governance paperwork to ensure that the projects comply with local legislation.
- Oversee distribution of the budget to the projects within the EHFF research programme and identify strategies for best use of research funds.
- Coordinate teleconference meetings with collaborators.
- Work with senior members of the Skeletal Diseases Program to determine time frame and requirements of various workstreams / working group meetings and decision points.
- Support the development of long-term research strategy and identify and pursue research funding opportunities.
- Maintain a formal repository / knowledge library of research and strategic planning documents (e.g. research study documents, reports, meeting minutes).
- Work with Garvan’s communications team to enhance visibility/transparency of the Skeletal Diseases Program’s research activities, and provide the Garvan community and external stakeholders with updates and announcements.
- Assist in developing presentations required for key stakeholder engagement and regular reporting on research activities and new strategic initiatives.
- Liaise with key external collaborators, stakeholders, and potential funders to identify and develop new project opportunities, communicate progress, champion collaboration, and ensure the timely completion of projects in alignment with set goals.
- Continuously survey Program operations to identify areas of inefficiency or potential risk, and work with Program leadership to address these issues.

Snap shot of benefits
- This is a part time role (2 days a week) for an 8 month term. The base salary is $90,000 (pro rated to $36,000) + 10.5% super + salary packaging.
- Generous salary packaging ($15,900 for general household expenses and $2,650 for meal/entertainment expenses)
- Flexible work arrangements - start early finish early or do half days
- 18 weeks paid parental leave
- Additional day’s leave as Garvan Day
- Discounted Health Insurance
- Lifestyle discounts with our community partners

About You

The key skills and experience include:

- Relevant tertiary degree - with PhD or significant demonstrated experience in a scientific field preferred.
- Experience in project management, ethics and governance submission are essential.
- Experience working in large and complex projects.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and people skills including the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and translate between science language and corporate language to non-technical audiences.
- Strong planning / organisational, problem-solving, and reporting / analytical skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities with tight deadlines; versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work with constantly changing priorities.
- Team player who can work independently and thrives on a fast-paced, demanding environment.
- Entrepreneurial, self-starter, and independent.
- Proactive with a strong bias toward action. The individual will be expected to take the initiative and drive the planning process forward.

How to Apply

**Job Type**: Part-time

**Salary**: $90,000.00 per year