Industry Engagement Manager - The Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy

• Industry Engagement at a thriving, multidisciplinary University Research Institute.
• Support the translation of STEM skills for Industry Impact.
• Provide broad project support to subject matter experts, including by managing the contracting process from budget to delivery

are currently seeking a dynamic

to join their collaborative and high performing team. This position is available for an 18-month fixed term, full time contract with the possibility for extension. Part time hours will be considered for the right candidate (minimum 0.7 FTE / 7 day fortnight required). We are pleased to offer a competitive salary banding for this role at $111,205 - $118,509 (G08) plus 17% superannuation.

About us

The Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA) is a multi-disciplinary research institute engaged in a range of projects involving or motivated by radio astronomy. CIRA’s activities draw together academic, research and professional staff from a variety of science, engineering, and computing disciplines to tackle unique and demanding challenges in radio astronomy and beyond. CIRA is the lead organisation and operator of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), and a key participant in the international SKA project. CIRA comprises the Curtin node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), an unincorporated joint venture with the University of Western Australia and the WA Government Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science, and Industry.
CIRA and ICRAR deliver a dedicated Translation and Impact program (T&I) with a strong reputation for engaging with partners to share our skills, knowledge, and expertise for mutual benefit. By collaborating with experts in other domains (including industry), we can help boost capability, train WA’s future workforce, grow businesses, and create jobs. 

To learn more about CIRA’s projects and initiatives, please visit: https://astronomy.curtin.edu.au/translation-impact-ti/industry-impact/
To learn more about our university, please visit www.curtin.edu.au.
Role context

Radio Astronomy applies ‘STEM’ based disciplines to capture and analyse ultra-faint signals from the universe.  In doing this, we push the boundaries of technology and techniques in electromagnetics, signal processing, software development, and radio frequency communications.  These challenges are compounded by demands and constraints imposed by the harsh and unrelenting environment that our equipment operates in.
Success in such an imposing endeavour is achieved through collaboration. ICRAR-Curtin/CIRA has earned a reputation for forging meaningful, mutually beneficial collaborations with industry to advance the major initiatives that it is engaged in, including the international MWA and Square Kilometre Array Observatory projects. Examples of commercial projects can be found at:

• https://www.curtin.edu.au/news/media-release/icrar-engineers-have-designed-radio-quiet-electronics-to-power-the-worlds-largest-radio-telescope/;
• https://www.icrar.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Space-Domain-Awareness-Case-Study.pdf.  

Your role is to build on our reputation for effective industry engagement and collaboration. You will work with the Director, Translation and Impact to identify, develop, manage, and provide broad support to the technical experts who deliver on collaborative projects.   

As Industry Engagement Manager for our Translation and Impact Program at CIRA, your role will involve:

• Developing a thorough appreciation of the capabilities and underlying skill sets of our team (including physics, electrical engineering, and data science), and matching them to opportunities for collaboration and impact outside of radio astronomy.
• Engaging with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including State and Commonwealth government, various industries, and other research organisations.
• Identifying and leveraging funding opportunities to support ICRAR’s Translation and Impact objectives.
• Providing broad project support to enable our subject matter experts to deliver on commercial projects, including budgeting, commercial contract negotiation, contract delivery, and reporting.  

If you have any queries in relation to the requirements of the role, please contact Aoife Stapleton at [email protected] noting that

.

Alternatively, call the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, on phone number: (+61) 08 9266 4669.

www.icrar.org

www.mwatelescope.org

https://www.skao.int/en

Your application should include your CV and a cover letter addressing your suitability for the position.

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and experience in business development and/or industry engagement within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrated commercial acumen and a successful record of securing a client base across industry, government, and other organisations.
• Experience in a relevant technical discipline enabling you to understand and communicate CIRA capabilities to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated high-level communication (written and oral) with the ability to engage and present information clearly and informatively to diverse audiences, prepare grant applications and present business cases.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, coordinating, documenting, and delivering projects.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team and maintain professional relationships with clients and staff.
• The ability to adapt rapidly to a diversity of tasks/roles, to prioritise workloads and multitask as opportunities and initiatives move through their lifecycle.

• Ideally (but not necessarily) some experience supporting demand-driven (commercial) research or working in a university environment.
• Familiarity with commercial contract terms and conditions generally, and ideally (but not necessarily) the negotiation of commercial contract terms or contract management in any sector.

Applicants should note that prior to appointment, you will be required to complete a National Police Records check, and undergo character, integrity, and reference checks via the Curtin application systems. Please note that this position may be subject to a WA state government vaccination mandate.  If requested, you will be required to provide evidence of your vaccination status prior to employment.

If you have any queries in relation to the application process, please contact our careers team at [email protected].