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Form of work- Office of Research | Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
- Senior staff appointment, remuneration commensurate with skills and experience
- Full-time, fixed-term appointment for five-years
The Opportunity
As the Director, Office of Research, you will advance the University's research agenda and ensuring the effective management and development of Research services at the University of the Sunshine Coast - UniSC.
This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of Research at UniSC, driving strategic initiatives and fostering operational excellence. As a pivotal member of the University's senior management committee, you'll lead the development and implementation of strategic research plans, aligning them with national and international research advances. Collaborating closely with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), you'll contribute significantly to cutting-edge research strategies, shaping the University's trajectory.
With a focus on enhancing research quality and innovation, you'll oversee the management of Research services, ensuring operational excellence and aligning financial resources with strategic objectives. As a key player in elevating the University's global standing, you'll spearhead initiatives to enhance research impact and contribute to prestigious rankings like the Times Higher Education (THE). This role is ideal for visionary leaders passionate about driving meaningful change and advancing research excellence.
In this role, you will:
- Lead strategic planning and collaboration with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) to align research initiatives with national and international trends, ensuring the University remains at the forefront of academic advancement.
- Provide strategic guidance to senior management, shaping the University's research management and development agenda.
- Lead a dynamic team in translating strategic vision into actionable plans, driving progress and achievement of key milestones in research excellence and innovation.
- Drive synergy between research initiatives and institutional goals, maximising the University's impact and reputation on a national and international scale.
- Champion the integration of Research priorities with the University's overall mission and objectives, ensuring a cohesive approach to advancement.
- Foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, industry partners, and funding agencies, to enhance research capacity and productivity.
About you
You will be a visionary leader with a passion for driving transformative research initiatives and fostering a culture of innovation. You will possess a comprehensive understanding of the higher-education landscape (ideally at a regional level), with a proven track record of strategic planning and collaboration at a senior level.
You will feel at ease leveraging your expertise to provide strategic guidance to the university executive and shape research management and development agendas that align with university priorities. You will be a visionary thinker who can lead the development and implementation of strategic plans, ensuring alignment with broader goals while driving progress and achievement in research excellence.
Within your application, you will be required to address the following selection criteria
- A relevant postgraduate qualification with proven experience in leading research initiatives at a senior level.
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills, including the ability to articulate a compelling vision for research and drive positive change in research governance and services.
- Leadership capabilities initiating and leading change within a complex tertiary education institution, including interdisciplinary, cross-school, and cross-campus collaboration to enhance institutional dynamics.
- Demonstrated ability to work closely with senior leadership, contributing to the development and implementation of strategic research plans aligned with national and international sectoral advances.
- Evidence of proven experience in offering strategic advice to senior executives on research management and development, with a history of achieving key university imperatives.
- Expertise in developing and implementing frameworks for intellectual property protection and successful commercialisation of academic work resulting from research.
- Present a strong track record in leading the development and implementation of strategic priorities and operational plans for a research office. Including significant contribution to the achievement of strategic outcomes in research quality, development, and performance.
- Demonstrate strong financial acumen with a successful history of planning and developing budget estimates and proposals to support the growth of Research support across the University.
- Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage with others in an inclusive and respectful manner.
UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at *************@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.
Director, Office of Research candidate prospectus.pdf
To be eligible to apply you must have legal work rights in Australia.
All applications must be lodged through the Careers at UniSC website.
UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact *************@usc.edu.au
Applications for this position close midnight, Thursday 2 May 2024.
Your completed application must include your CV. You will be required to address the key selection criteria as a component of the application process. You should also include a cover letter (no more two pages) addressing your motivation and relevance to the role.
Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team
We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life
Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Kristie Husk, Talent Acquisition Manager
+61 418 884 *** or *****@usc.edu.au
Discover UniSC
We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We’re not the biggest university. But we’re growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.
We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland.
Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 26 research fields ranked at or above world standard according to the Excellence in Research for Australia Rankings. In 2023 we recorded the biggest improvement in Australia for research quality, moving up more than 331 places in the world rank.
We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve local and global challenges.
Our Culture & Benefits:
- Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
- Modern teaching & research facilities.
- Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
- We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
- Flexible work arrangements & generous leave options.
- Salary packing options + 17% Super.
- EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.
