Research Project Officer - Intellectual Disability Research

• School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Part-time, fixed-term position through to 31 December 2027, commencing at 20% FTE and increasing to 40% FTE from March 2027
• Base salary will range from $97,268 to $104,348 (full-time equivalent) + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 6)
• Located at our vibrant St Lucia campus

About This Opportunity

Join a purposeful and collaborative project that brings together academic staff, people with intellectual disability and external partners to create meaningful change through teaching innovation and research. As the Research Project Officer, you will provide high-level project, administrative and research support across the full project lifecycle, helping the team translate ideas into coordinated activities, evidence-informed insights and impactful outcomes.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation to support the completion of project objectives, milestones and deliverables.
• Undertake project-specific research, analysis and environmental scanning, and contribute to project briefs, reports and recommendations.
• Build respectful and effective relationships with a broad range of stakeholders including people with lived experience of intellectual disability, academic and professional staff, external partners and research collaborators.
• Provide high-level administrative and executive support, including coordinating correspondence, meetings, committees, events, records and project communications.

To reflect and meet project demands, the successful candidate will be appointed at 20% FTE, equivalent to one day per week, from October 2026 until February 2027. The appointment will then increase to 40% FTE, equivalent to two days per week, from March 2027 through to 31 December 2027.

About You

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive professional with excellent project coordination and stakeholder engagement skills. You will have the ability to manage competing priorities, work collaboratively with diverse groups, and contribute to the successful delivery of project outcomes.

In addition, you will possess:

• Completion of a relevant degree with subsequent relevant experience in project coordination, research, education, health (i.e., occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work), or disability; or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training and experience.

• Demonstrated experience supporting projects, including planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and the coordination of activities and deliverables.

• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities, work independently and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality reports, meeting records, project documentation and communication materials for varied audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain respectful, collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, including people with lived experience, academic and professional staff and external partners.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, with the ability to exercise initiative, sound judgement and discretion.
• A demonstrated commitment to inclusion, accessibility and respectful engagement with people with intellectual disability and other diverse communities.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, working together to create a better world. Join a visionary and inclusive community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available.

Enjoy up to 26 weeks paid parental and primary care leave, 17% super, 17.5% leave loading, flexible and hybrid working options, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, on-campus childcare, affordable parking, and salary packaging.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Tomomi McAuliffe at t.mcauliffe@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number R-69463.

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume and cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the ‘About You’ selection criteria above. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks will include verification of your right to work in Australia and a criminal history check. 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.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ, and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing talent@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close Sunday 11th October 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number: R-69463).

Acknowledgment of Country:

The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ is situated. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country.

Why Choose UQ?

At the University of Queensland, we are proud to be one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions, consistently ranking among the top 50 universities worldwide.

As a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, UQ is widely recognised for its intensive focus on research and teaching excellence – evidenced by our numerous accolades including more teaching awards than any other Australian University and reflected in UQ being the number one recipient of ARC Fellowships and Awards nationally across all scheme years (totalling 452 awards worth $339 million).

Our state-of-the-art facilities, libraries, and cutting-edge research centres offer unparalleled opportunities for academic and professional growth. With five faculties, a number of globally recognised research institutes, and over 100 research centres, we attract an interdisciplinary community of more than 7000 staff, supporting more than 55,000 current students from over 137 countries.

Career Development and Support:

UQ is dedicated to supporting the career aspirations of our students and staff. Our comprehensive career services provide personalized guidance, skills development, and networking opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals. Whether you are a student seeking internships and job placements or a staff member looking for career advancement, UQ is here to support you every step of the way.

Diverse and Inclusive Community:

UQ values equity, diversity and inclusion and seeks to reflect the broader community by attracting and retaining high-quality staff from a range of backgrounds. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion aims to ensure that everyone at UQ feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. We are particularly interested to hear from people who bring diversity to UQ – whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability.

Join the UQ Community:

Whether you are a recent graduate, an Academic, or an experienced professional, UQ offers a wide range of opportunities to help you grow and succeed. Explore our current job openings, discover our programs, and become part of a community that is dedicated to creating lasting, meaningful impact for the communities in which we live and work.

For more information about working at UQ and our employee benefits (such as generous leave provisions, 17% superannuation, flexible working arrangements, and health and wellness discounts) please visit Why Work at UQ.