Senior Project Scientist

• School of Health | UniSC Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs
• Level 8 $115,240 - $130,514 p.a. (pro rata), plus up to 17% employer superannuation
• Part-time (30% FTE / 10.88 hrs per week), fixed-term position until March 2030

The Opportunity

Join UniSC as a Senior Project Scientist on the ACIAR project Oyster and Seaweed Mariculture in Fiji and Northern Australia. In this role, you'll manage the community governance component of the project, working closely with communities in Fiji to explore customary enterprise governance models, aspirations, and strengths, ensuring development approaches are appropriate, equitable, and sustainable.

With a strong focus on applied research and partnership, you'll design and implement research activities, manage project outcomes, and deliver high-quality outputs. You'll also oversee project governance, communication and fieldwork safety plans, research timelines, and the coordination of staff, consultants, and contractors, while fostering strong collaborations with community partners and stakeholders.

For more information, please visit us online: School of Health

You will:

• design and deliver high-quality research activities aligned with the community governance pathway of the project, including design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination in accordance with relevant research ethics;
• provide expert guidance and leadership in stakeholder engagement, ethics governance and cross-cultural research methodologies to deliver and report on project outcomes; and
• assist with management of the project delivery lifecycle, including developing ethics applications, contract negotiation (where relevant), project partner management, and reporting.

About you:

You bring proven experience in managing projects, from developing and implementing detailed plans to delivering outcomes effectively. You have strong problem-solving and analytical skills, enabling you to conduct independent research with minimal supervision. With exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder management abilities, you communicate confidently and effectively with diverse audiences across a wide range of contexts, building positive relationships with both internal and external partners.

You will possess:

• Relevant postgraduate qualifications (or progression towards) in a relevant field (e.g. environmental or social sciences, public health, international development), with demonstrated research expertise;
• Strong experience in applied research, including design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination;
• Prior research project management and project administration experience, with strong problem-solving and analytical ability, including experience in interpreting project contracts and designing project management processes in line with requirements;
• Evidence of research outputs such as publications, reports, or equivalent;
• Experience working in the Pacific Islands or similar cross-cultural research contexts highly regarded; and
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or experience in fisheries and aquaculture systems, particularly in relation to community engagement, governance, or sustainable development highly regarded.

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc- or call

Position Description: Senior Project

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

All applications must be lodged through our website. 

Applications for this position close midnight, Sunday 23 November 2025

Your completed application must include:

• a resume and a statement of suitability (not to exceed two pages), which be reviewed in alignment to the specified selection criteria as outlined within the position description.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:

APrf Libby Swanepoel
Associate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics – School of Health
Telephone:
Email:

Discover UniSC

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We're not the biggest university. But we're growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.

We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland and a growing footprint in major capital cities.

Teaching excellence is at the heart of what we do, and our commitment to sustainability is integrated into our teaching, research, and daily operations. Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 13 research fields ranked well above world standard, characterised by evidence of outstanding performance according to the Excellence Research for Australia Rankings. At UniSC you will have the opportunity to contribute to the educational landscape for future generations.

We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging continuous professional development and providing resources to enhance your career. We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve our local and global challenges.

Our Culture & Benefits:

• Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
• Modern teaching & research facilities.
• Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
• We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
• Flexible work arrangements & generous leave options.
• Salary packing options + 17% Super.
• EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.