• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI)
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 5 years
• Base salary will be in the range $111,154.58 - $124,619.84 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 8)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity 

The Manager, ARC Research Hub for Engineering Plants to Replace Fossil Carbon, is responsible for supporting a nationally and internationally dispersed ARC Research Hub through strategic and operational management of the Hub’s activities. You will also be responsible for performing a wide range of complex research management-related activities which determine how objectives will be achieved and how resources will be deployed to achieve outcomes. You will be responsible for developing and sustaining effective working relationships with existing Australian and international university, government and industry collaborators to better understand stakeholder needs and to enable the delivery of high quality operational and research support services.

Key responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):  

Project Administration and Management

• Assist the Hub Director and QAAFI contracting team with activities and processes required for contracting in the establishment phase of the Hub.
• Support the selection of project management methodologies as relevant to the size, scope, phase and time-frame of the ARC Hub projects
• Provide project and administrative support, including monitoring and reporting on project plans, milestones and deliverables, to ensure time, cost and quality indicators are aligned with approved project plans
• Identify, control and manage issues, risks, dependencies and changes in project scope, including the development of issues and risk registers and project monitoring and evaluation processes
• Develop 'fit for purpose' project documentation
• Project manage the development and delivery of interdisciplinary, international collaboration activities.
• Coordinate data sharing and management across Hub partners.
• Manage key projects as requested by the Hub Director.
• Ensure all business support functions of the Hub are efficient and effective and meet compliance with the Australian Research Council and University requirements.
• In conjunction with the Director, oversee the work of Hub’s professional staff team both at UQ and at partner organisations.

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Stakeholder engagement and communication

• Undertake stakeholder analysis and communications planning in support of project priorities
• Coordinate project communication, including developing and implementing communication and engagement content and leading engagement and change management activities
• Develop strong relationships with an extensive network of internal and external stakeholders, including academic and professional staff at Hub partner organisations, and to understand business needs, deliver effective, consistent services and to enable data collection for ARC reports, and research collaborations.
• Proactively seek opportunities to collaborate across groups and with key individuals to support project outcomes

Project Governance and Reporting

• Working in partnership with the Project Sponsors, support Hub governance and reporting in accordance with agreed project methodologies and protocols
• Coordinate and provide regular updates to the Hub Steering Committee and Industry Advisory Committee
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the relevant UQ service teams to ensure Hub compliance with UQ policies and procedures, governance protocols, and risk management frameworks, as well as any legislative requirements.
• Contribute to the monitoring and reporting of KPIs established for the Hub, working with the Director to produce performance trend analyses to inform Hub strategy and operations and to optimise achievement of the Hub’s objectives.
• Other duties as required, consistent with the level of appointment in the administration job family concerned, as directed by the Hub Director.

Financial Management

• Manage the project budget of the ARC Hub
• In consultation with the Hub Director and the QAAFI Accounting team, lead the planning, development and management of multi-year budgets across all Hub partner organisations to ensure compliance with funding rules.
• Contribute to the development of financial and administrative acumen among the Hub’s partner CIs or Administrators to ensure the provision of accurate, timely and informative advice on routine matters to research staff at their respective organisations.
• Exercise the relevant financial delegation

About the Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub for Engineering Plants to Replace Fossil Carbon

The Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub for Engineering Plants to Replace Fossil Carbon is a Hub led by the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) with collaboration across The University of Adelaide, CSIRO and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as industry partner organisations around Australia and the world. The ARC Research Hub for Engineering Plants to Replace Fossil Carbon is administered by The University of Queensland.

The ARC Research Hub for Engineering Plants to Replace Fossil Carbon aims to develop new plant varieties that enable sustainable production of sugars from crop ‘waste’ (plant biomass) as a base for renewable carbon products. Only now possible through emerging technologies, the Hub expects to translate extensive foundational research and world-leading expertise into cost-effective sustainable aviation fuel. Anticipated outcomes include diversified cropping opportunities for agricultural producers and new industries to convert the biomass to high-volume renewable products. The expected benefits include a decarbonised pathway for Australia’s critical flight, freight and defence connections to the world and the substantial economic returns and job creation from new manufacturing capacity in Australia.

The Australian Research Council funded the Research Hub for Engineering Plants to Replace Fossil Carbon in July 2023, and work is underway to establish the Hub, which has 7 chief investigators and 13 partner investigators.

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:

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
• 17% superannuation contributions
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to flexible working arrangements
• 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
• UQ Study for Staff
• On campus childcare options
• Cheap parking (from just $5.75 a day)
• Salary packaging options

About You  

You are an experienced Project Manager with postgraduate qualifications (or in progress towards postgraduate qualifications) in Business, Project Management or a related field or an equivalent combination of qualifications and workplace experience. 

In addition, you will have:

• Demonstrated extensive relevant experience in a university or similar large and/or complex environment; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Substantial knowledge of, and experience with, research development and innovation processes.
• Significant demonstrated experience in project management and reporting with the ability to work well under pressure and constant concurrent deadlines.
• High-level interpersonal skills, including the effective liaison and negotiation skills needed to develop and maintain strong working relationships within the wider University community.
• Demonstrated high-level organisational ability, attention to detail and ability to work to tight deadlines and manage competing priorities
• Experience leading project team staff, including planning, organising, performance management, recognition and development of staff
• Highly developed written communication skills and a demonstrated ability to write formal proposals and documentation to a publishable standard for a highly educated audience.
• Ability to show innovative leadership and provide critical advice and clarity of direction for a complex research centre (spanning disciplines, cultures, career stage, gender, community, industry, government).

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

Work Rights: 

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Prof Robert Henry – [email protected]  

For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 
 

Want to Apply? 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section  
• Resume 

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.

We know one of our strengths 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. Reach out to [email protected] for accessibility support or adjustments.

Applications close Sunday 5 January 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-44305).

Please note applications will be reviewed as received. Candidates may be contacted for interview prior to the job closing date or interviews may also be scheduled for January 2025. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. The University of Queensland reserves the right to close this application process early.