Associate Director - Research Grants, Pre-Award

• Research Office

• Elevate UQ’s research funding success in a senior leadership role, providing strategic oversight of pre-award grant development and positioning researchers for success in major national and international funding schemes.

• Full-time fixed term position through to May 2027, covering parental leave backfill

• Based at our Toowong & St Lucia Campus

After a recent successful process for a long term appointment, UQ is now looking to fill this position for up to a 12 month period to cover a period of parental leave. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced leader to step into a senior position and contribute during a critical period. While this appointment is for a defined term, it offers significant scope to influence strategic priorities, lead key initiatives, and provide continuity of leadership within a dynamic and high-performing environment.

The Associate Director (Research Grants, Pre-Award) plays a key leadership role in advancing the University’s research funding success by overseeing the strategic and operational delivery of pre-award research grant services. Reporting to the Director (Research Office), the position leads teams responsible for supporting researchers through the development and submission of competitive grant applications and strengthening the University’s research funding pipeline.
This role operates within a high-volume, deadline-driven environment that supports major national and international funding submissions across the University. You will be responsible for ensuring complex grant submission pipelines progress effectively, balancing strategic initiatives with the operational coordination required during peak funding periods.

Working closely with senior leaders, researchers and professional staff across the University, you will provide expert strategic advice on national and international research funding opportunities and emerging policy trends. The role is instrumental in ensuring high-quality, client-focused research support services that position researchers for success while strengthening the University’s research income, impact and reputation.

For more information about this opportunity, please click here for the complete appointment booklet.

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.

You will bring significant experience within the higher education research environment, with a strong understanding of the research funding landscape and the strategic drivers shaping national and international funding opportunities. Your ability to interpret policy, analyse complex information and provide high-level strategic advice will enable researchers and leaders to navigate competitive funding environments.
 

An experienced leader, you will demonstrate the ability to manage and motivate high-performing teams while delivering high-quality services in a fast-paced environment. You will also bring excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the capacity to work collaboratively across a large and complex organisation to strengthen research funding outcomes and support the University’s research strategy.

For enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Dr Jodi Clyde Smith, Executive Director, Research Office, at [email protected] 
For application enquiries, please reach out to Abbey Gray, Manager Talent Acquisition via [email protected].

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume

• Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section outlined in the Appointment Booklet  

Our strength 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, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact [email protected].

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications and criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

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.

Applications close Sunday 21 June 2026, 11.00pm AEST (R-65572).