Senior Research Development Officer (Two positions)

Company Description

Every institution values excellence. What matters most is why.
Griffith was created to be a different type of university.  You’ll find we’re about leading research, academic excellence, and the transformative power of education. But what sets us apart is why those things matter and how you’ll achieve them.

Why? Griffith brings together exceptional minds like yours from across the globe and from all walks of life. Here, we do incredible work, questioning and challenging, always in the pursuit of excellence.

Job Description

The Senior Research Development Officer (SRDO) role is one of 13 positions within the Group Research Development Team reporting to the Deputy Director – Research Services, Office for Research.  Each Team member is embedded within the Office of the Dean Research in an Academic Group or with a specific Research Institute. 

There are two positions available, to provide support across one of the following:

• Griffith Sciences Academic Group – this position is part of a team of three SRDOs with a focus on commercial/contract research. The position can be based at either the Brisbane South (Nathan) or Gold Coast campus.
• Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics (IBG) – this position will support the Institute to develop and facilitate growth, diversity and sustainability of the Institute’s portfolio of external research funding, spanning both competitive research grants and commercial/contract research opportunities. The position will work closely with the Institute’s Business Development team and with the Chair of the Institute’s Research Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the Institute Executive Director on the Institute’s research income goals and strategies.

Applicants should indicate their preference for the Sciences Group or IBG position (or both) and highlight their interest and experience in supporting either competitive research grants or contract research (or both).

Both SRDO positions will ensure coordination of these activities with the policies, procedures and processes managed by the Office for Research, Griffith Enterprise, Griffith Graduate Research School, Advancement and Griffith International.

Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Provide advice to researchers on specific funding opportunities including the preparation, review and drafting of applications to ensure competitiveness, maximising grant success, compliance with scheme requirements.
• Identify sources of international and national funding opportunities that align with the research capabilities of the Institute and coordinate both the distribution of these opportunities and facilitate discussion of the opportunities to pursue.
• Undertake track record assessments to determine researcher readiness for particular grant schemes and provide grant application strategy advice to support their research ambitions.
• Develop and implement Early Career Researcher grant application support processes and promote capability development training events made available through the Researcher Education and Development team.
• Identify, develop and deliver initiatives to researchers to develop proposal preparation, industry engagement, research collaboration, budget formulation and management, and project management skills.

About you
The successful candidate will hold postgraduate qualifications and extensive relevant experience, or a combination of relevant knowledge, training and or extensive experience in higher education, research, industry or government. The completion of a PhD will be highly regarded.

You will also have:

• The ability to assist researchers to identify, conceptualise and develop successful grant applications.
• Knowledge of international and national research policy environments, granting scheme rules and current issues and emerging trends in the higher education research sector.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving and research development skills, combined with an ability to work under broad direction, self-start and to work independently in a team environment.
• Well-developed communication, negotiation and relationship management skills including the ability to liaise with academic staff and colleagues at all levels.

A good understanding of commercial research and consultancy work, strategic knowledge of the broader Australian research environment, and familiarity with philanthropic funding pitches would be desirable.

What we can offer
These are fixed term (two years), full-time positions primarily based at either Griffith University Brisbane South (Nathan) or Gold Coast. As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations. Griffith University’s campuses are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Salary Range
The full-time base salary for a HEW Level 8 is in the range $113,713 - $127,923 per annum, plus 17% employer superannuation. The total FTE package is in the range $133,044 - $149,670 per annum.

Additional Information

Why Griffith?
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer:

• Wide range of Learning and Development opportunities
• Mix of on campus and work from home options available and a supportive work environment
• Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts
• Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading
• Health Safety and Wellbeing initiatives – on campus Gym facilities

How to apply
At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. Griffith University also maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of modern slavery. For more information, please refer to Griffith’s Modern Slavery Policy.

Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following:

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the About you section above and the position description)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details

Applicants must have unrestricted working rights.  Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Successful candidates may be subject to a criminal history check.

For further information specifically about this role, please contact Lynette Farquhar, Deputy Director, Research Services at [email protected].

For application support, please contact People Services on (07) 373 54011 and quote reference number REF8354C.

Closing date:  Monday, 25 August 2025 at 11.59pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.

Please allow at least 1 – 2 weeks from the closing date to expect an application update.