We are seeking an experienced, organised and enthusiastic person to provide high level research administration support to the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation members.
| Position Title: | Research Services Officer |
| Vacancy Reference No: | 28422 |
| Closing Date: | 17 October 2008 |
| Department / Division: | Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) |
| Campus: | Kelvin Grove |
| Classification/Salary Range: | $45 907 to $51 777 pa (HEW5) |
| Plus Superannuation: | 17% employer contribution |
| Status: | Fixed-Term for 3 years |
| Contact Name and Title: | Stacey Chandler, Senior Research Services Officer |
| HR Contact and Title: | Silke Morrison, Senior HR Advisor |
DUTY STATEMENT
Purpose of Position
The position is responsible for the delivery of high quality service to research support, events and seminars, and working parties. IHBI is committed to the provision of high standards of service in support of its research activities and staff are expected to maintain a culture of continuous improvement of service delivery.
Staff are encouraged to participate in collaborative relationships within the Institute and across the University and to develop and share good practice.
The Research Services Officer is a member of IHBI Research Services whose aim is to provide outstanding, proactive service to staff and students in the administration of research.
IHBI Research Services is responsible for the following portfolio of activities:
- grants administration
- publication collections
- IHBI research events and seminars
- venue use and hire
- working parties support
- higher degree research student support
- visitor services
- Domain Leader support
- membership and proximity card access
The applicant will work cooperatively with students, supervisors and professional staff in the faculties and in the Office of Research and Research Training to ensure that University regulations and rules are met and that issues are resolved in a timely and efficient manner.
Organisational Environment
IHBI is emerging as Australia’s premier interdisciplinary research organization. It is a 700-member research institute within the Queensland University of Technology and has its headquarters in a new $70-million research facility located in the Kelvin Grove Urban Village in Brisbane. IHBI has created a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment by combining the strengths of QUT’s Health, Science and Built Environment and Engineering Faculties. IHBI’s research portfolio and mission embraces basic science through to policy and healthcare applications, and product commercialisation. IHBI has ongoing links with local and interstate hospitals, medical researchers worldwide, clinical specialists and industry professionals. IHBI is a dynamic research facility which includes space for laboratories, offices and the incubation of start-up companies.
Areas of research include: Human Health and Wellbeing; Medical Device; Cells and Tissue; Tropical Crops and Biocommodities; Vision Improvement; and Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation.
IHBI’s vision is to create an open, collaborative environment fostering real biomedical and health innovation. By promoting interdisciplinary research IHBI will capture the unique opportunities that arise from teams working at the interfaces between traditional research fields. Commercialisation goals are to develop specific products and processes that are highly competitive in the international market place and make a significant contribution to human health.
Organisational Relationships
This position reports to the Senior Research Services Officer, and is a member of the Research Services team whose aim is to provide outstanding, proactive service to staff and students in the administration of research.
The Research Services Officer liaises with academic and professional staff in partner Faculties and Divisional staff concerning the management of grants and publications; IHBI research events and seminars; and higher degree research student support services.
Key accountabilities
This position carries the following accountabilities:
- Responsibility, through the Senior Research Services Officer, for delivery of high quality research support services to IHBI members using an effective range of delivery mechanisms including in person, email, telephone/fax, and web based information.
- Responsibility for updating and managing specific information including maintenance of web page content.
- Responsibility for research event coordination including IHBI facility bookings and hire process in accordance with existing policies and procedures.
- Responsibility for providing secretarial assistance to IHBI working parties with a mission relevant to research.
- System and organisational knowledge required:
- Sound knowledge of or ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, University rules and regulations pertaining to research administration.
- Expertise in, or ability to quickly acquire expertise in, University systems (including the Student Information Systems, Research Master, QUT Corporate Reporting); and Web development tools such as DreamWeaver or Contribute. Expertise in the Microsoft Office suite.
- Knowledge of Workplace Health and Safety issues and the ability to quickly acquire skills associated with student environments, including awareness of equity and diversity principles.
Duties include:
- Providing administrative support for research grants to researchers (internal and nationally competitive grants). This may include progress reports and assisting with identifying and promoting grant opportunities.
- Data entry of records of research performance (eg. publications, grants).
- Assisting with promoting the Institute’s research programs, its research, and research study opportunities as designated by the Executive Director and in accordance with the annual marketing and communications plan.
- Liaison with relevant faculty and divisional staff for research support matters.
- Liaison with internal and external clients for IHBI venue bookings.
- Induction and building tours for IHBI researchers and visitors.
- Assisting with responses to requests for information and documentation; and assisting with preparation of submissions, correspondence and reports.
- Providing secretarial assistance to designated IHBI working parties including preparation of agenda, minutes and post-meeting action plans.
- Updating relevant information on the Institute’s website in consultation with relevant staff.
- Using the University’s corporate systems (eg. the Student Information System, currently Callista) and Research Master for data reporting.
- Accountable for complying with health and safety policies, procedures, hazard reporting and safe work practices.
- Assist with other tasks within the purview of the Research Services Team, as directed by the Senior Research Services Officer.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential:
- Completion of an associate diploma with at least two years relevant experience, and/or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education/training.
- Demonstrated administrative experience and knowledge of administrative processes associated with research management support including the ability to interpret policies and procedures to provide clear and consistent advice to clients.
- Demonstrated organisational ability, including the capacity to work independently with general direction, take initiative, prioritise tasks and perform duties with a high degree of accuracy in an environment of competing demands.
- Demonstrated written communication skills including the ability to draft and prepare a range of written documents for a diverse audience eg agendas, meeting minutes and post-meeting action plans, reports and correspondence.
- Demonstrated verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively, adapting communication and interpersonal strategies to present, liaise, and provide information and advice to a wide range of internal and external clients and researchers.
- Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office software applications such as word-processing, spreadsheets and databases, and experience in Dream Weaver or Contribute.
Desirable:
- Demonstrated proficiency in the use of QUT databases (e.g. Research Master, Callista).
HOW TO APPLY
Please provide:
- Application Cover Sheet (doc, 60kb or pdf, 17kb)
- Applicants are encouraged to systematically address the selection criteria.
- Your current resume – including the names and contact details of referees.
Forward your application to jobapplications@qut.edu.au quoting vacancy ref no. 28422 by 17 October 2008.
Prior to submitting your application please review information regarding immigration requirements, workplace health and safety, equal employment opportunity, non-smoking policy and relocation available at
http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/jobs/information.jsp.
After the closing date, you can check the status of the recruitment process. QUT is an equal opportunity employer and employer of choice for women.