Senior Officer, Major Research Initiatives

• Major Research Initiatives specialist role
• Full time, ongoing position at our Hawthorn campus
• HEW 7 salary with 17% superannuation

About the Role
Swinburne University of Technology has an ambitious goal of growth in research excellence, impact and eminence, as set out in its Research Strategy to 2025. As part of this agenda, the University has a key objective to undertake high quality and impactful research supported by sustainable research funding.

The Research Grants and Contracts team in Research Services is integral to this program of work. A specialist unit in the team, Major Research Initiatives, provides effective support for the development and management of strategic, complex and high value research funding opportunities – including ARC Centres of Excellence, ARC Industrial Transformation Research Program, Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), CRC-Projects, NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence and other State or Federal Government funding calls, as well as non-competitive, mission-focused, industry-instigated research and enterprise initiatives such as joint research centres and consortia.

An exciting opportunity for a dedicated and experienced professional to join Swinburne University of Technology as a Senior Officer, Major Research Initiatives. This newly created role offers an opportunity to support strategic research initiatives by providing specialist pre- and post-award research management. 

The Senior Officer, Major Research Initiatives will be instrumental in providing comprehensive support for the planning and submission of complex, large-scale research grants including engaging with governance and compliance units and external agencies to streamline proposal feedback processes.  You will contribute to the establishment and management of major research projects by offering project management support, facilitating legal reviews, and advising on post-award budget matters, ensuring effective communication with stakeholders that provides clarity on compliance obligations, milestones, and overall grant management throughout the project lifecycle.

About You  
You will ideally have:

• Experience in coordinating the development and administration of national competitive grant schemes in a university, research institute or funding agency.
• Experience in managing complex programs and/or awards, preferably in the higher education environment, including ability to interpret funding guidelines and agreements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to draft correspondence, reports, guidelines and information guides, and convey complex information or informed advice with a high level of clarity.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective collaborations and positive relationships with a variety of key strategic stakeholders including external funding bodies, researchers, research leaders, organisations, and other service providers.
• High level attention to detail and organisational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritise work requirements and work autonomously with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High level of competency in computer literacy, particularly with current business management software packages and their various application capabilities including the ability to develop meaningful reports and articulate new database requirements.
• Experience in electronic research management and document management systems (e.g. Research Master, TRIM, other).

• A degree with extensive relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education and training.
• Experience and/or training in grant development, project management and/or project evaluation and/or contract management.

If this sounds like a position that suits your current career focus, we look forward to hearing from you.

About Swinburne University of Technology 
Swinburne Horizon 2025 draws upon our understanding of future challenges. With this new strategic plan, we choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship, and proud of it. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research, so that:

• Every Swinburne learner gets a work experience
• Every Swinburne graduate gets a job
• Every Swinburne partner gets a tech solution
• Swinburne is the prototype of global best practice

The achievement of our 2025 moon shots depends on our capacity to work collectively, always, as One Swinburne.

To Apply 
Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing your suitability for this position.  

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page. 

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on [email protected]. 

Applications Close: Thursday 18 July 2024, at 11.00pm

Swinburne offers flexible working options, leave and parenting/carer policies to support work life balance.

Equity and Diversity 
Swinburne is a large and culturally diverse organisation and we are proud of our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion through key initiatives.  For further information on all our initiatives visit our Equity & Diversity website .

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

We are committed to making the recruitment process fair and equitable for all our candidates. If you have specific accessibility or support requirements, please contact [email protected]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  

For any support please contact [email protected] or for more information on our Indigenous strategies please follow the link to our RAP Reconciliation Action Plan

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes 
As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action , Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.  

We are a 2023 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant
(#LI-SW)

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