Careers at UniSC

• Thompson Institute, Birtinya
• Level 8 $115,240 - $130,514 p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation
• Full-time, fixed-term appointment until December 2027

The Opportunity

Join us in making a difference through the 'Let's Yarn about Sleep' initiative, a transformative program dedicated to enhancing sleep health within First Nations communities. As Program Manager, you will provide strategic leadership to drive the operational excellence of this initiative. Your role will encompass overseeing key metrics such as increasing research funding, enhancing engagement and impact, boosting HDR enrolments and completions, and elevating publications and citations. Operating within a collaborative framework, you will engage closely with diverse stakeholders, leveraging your profound understanding of the University's structure, policies, and operations. Your responsibilities will span high-level problem-solving, strategic decision-making, and comprehensive management of NHMRC and MRFF grants, research projects, and partnerships. Through meticulous budgeting, impactful communications, and data-driven reporting, you will amplify the program's visibility and effectiveness while championing equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. This role presents a unique opportunity to lead transformative change in community health while advancing your career in a vibrant academic environment.

For more information on the Thompson Institute, please visit us online: Thompson Institute

You will:

• lead the governance, management, and operations of Let’s Yarn About Sleep, ensuring seamless delivery, strategic growth, and impactful outcomes;
• drive research success by managing projects, budgets, and reporting while navigating complex funding and contractual requirements;
• strengthen partnerships and collaboration, working with internal and external stakeholders to expand the program’s reach and impact; and
• elevate the program’s national and international profile through strategic storytelling, research communication, and engaging digital and print channels.

About you:

You're a proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced research environment, balancing big-picture strategy with hands-on delivery. With your expertise in program and project management, you’ll ensure Let’s Yarn About Sleep runs smoothly, growing its research impact and strengthening its reputation. You’re confident managing budgets, contracts, and compliance, with an eye for streamlining processes and driving continuous improvement. You build strong relationships, collaborating with researchers, funding bodies, and industry partners to expand opportunities and enhance visibility. Your knack for communication and data-driven insights helps translate research into real-world impact, and you’re passionate about mentoring and developing others to foster a dynamic, high-performing team.

You will possess:

• Experience leading research programs in a university setting, providing strategic advice and navigating complex policies and external requirements to drive success.
• A track record of managing large-scale research projects, balancing budgets, contracts, and timelines while solving complex challenges to achieve meaningful outcomes.
• Strong financial acumen, with the ability to interpret data, analyse budgets, and work closely with stakeholders to ensure effective resource management.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate, negotiate, and communicate effectively to influence and drive positive outcomes.
• Outstanding written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging content across reports, social media, presentations, and publications.
• A commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in research and team environments.

Desirable:

• Experience in research dissemination, training, and career development initiatives.
• A background in communications, outreach, and public engagement.
• Knowledge of compliance and risk management in a university or research setting.

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 unisc-careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.

Position description:  493083_position description.pdf

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au

Applications for this position close midnight, Friday 21 March 2025

• a resume and a statement of suitability (not to exceed two pages), which be reviewed in alignment to the specified selection criteria as outlined within the position description.

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:

Professor Fatima Yaqoot
Professor in Sleep Research
Telephone: 07 5456 5315
Email: fyaqoot@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.