About This OpportunityJoin the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation and lead the facilities, infrastructure and asset services that enable high-impact agricultural and food research. Working across a geographically dispersed network of biological science laboratories, field facilities and shared government sites, you will provide strategic advice, lead a team of technical professionals and build collaborative relationships across UQ, the Queensland Government and external partners. This is a purposeful opportunity to shape safe, reliable and future-ready research environments while contributing to a visionary and inclusive culture focused on creating change together.
This role will primarily be based at St Lucia campus but will include travel to other Brisbane and regional UQ and DAF sites such as Dutton Park, Coopers Plains, Gatton and Warwick.
Key responsibilities will include, but not limited to:
- Lead and develop QAAFI’s health, safety and facilities team, in collaboration with QAAFI’s Health, Safety and Wellness Manager, providing strategic direction, performance leadership and operational oversight to ensure the delivery of high-quality facilities and infrastructure services that support world-class agricultural and food research.
- Coordinate the planning, delivery and continuous improvement of facilities and infrastructure programs, including policy development, capital and minor works projects, stakeholder engagement, operational planning and service enhancement across multiple UQ and partner sites.
- Manage complex infrastructure and facilities operations, overseeing maintenance, upgrades, space planning, specialised research environments, centrally managed equipment and critical response activities to ensure safe, compliant and effective research facilities.
- Provide strategic leadership in asset, financial and resource management, including asset lifecycle planning, equipment replacement programs, stocktakes, budgeting, forecasting and the stewardship of infrastructure and facilities-related expenditure.
- Build strong partnerships and ensure service excellence, collaborating with academic, research, professional and external stakeholders to deliver stakeholder-focused outcomes, maintain regulatory compliance, support health and safety requirements, and monitor key performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.
About You- Postgraduate qualifications, or progress towards postgraduate qualifications, with extensive relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training and experience.
- Proven capability in leading and developing professional teams, building capacity and embedding a values-based culture of service innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated experience implementing policies, procedures and systems relating to facilities, infrastructure or asset management.
- Working knowledge of university or scientific research facility operations, or the capacity to rapidly acquire this knowledge, including infrastructure projects, maintenance, security controls and regulatory requirements.
- Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to negotiate, influence, provide strategic advice and build productive relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities and deliver accurate outcomes within required timeframes.
- Experience using a broad range of computer applications in a networked environment.
- A current Australian driver licence.
Experience managing scientific research facilities, particularly biological or agricultural facilities involving regulated laboratories, fieldwork, remote settings, biosecurity or other regulatory requirements, will be highly regarded.
About UQAs 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 collaborative 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 Rona Barugahare at r.barugahare@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number below in the subject line.
When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume and cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the ‘About You’ section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.
Other InformationPre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, criminal history checks and mandatory immunisations. 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 18 October 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-69518).