About The Team
The Food Futures Institute (FFI) at Murdoch University drives sustainable innovations in food, fibre, and forestry by addressing the responsible use of land and water. This role is based within the Centre for Crop and Food Innovation (CCFI), which partners with industry to improve crop yield, quality, and resilience. With a strong team of researchers and over 50 HDR students, CCFI is at the forefront of agricultural research and technology adoption.
Also housed within FFI, the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC) is a leading facility for agricultural and veterinary biotechnology in Western Australia. It provides advanced R&D infrastructure to university, government, and industry researchers across diverse scientific disciplines, supporting 15–20 active research groups and companies.
Your New Role!
The Project Assistant supports the Director of the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre Director and Director of the Centre for Crop and Food Innovation by providing expert, confidential secretarial and administrative assistance and by demonstrating a superior level of initiative and professionalism.

Your key responsibilities will include –

• Oversee the daily operations of project activities, ensuring seamless support for the Principal Investigator (PI) and Director of the Centre for Crop and Food Innovation & State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre; including addressing telephone inquiries on behalf of the Director, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring efficient communication.
• Coordinating conferences, meetings, promotional events and public relations activities for the Director and project team in collaboration with Marketing. Manage schedules, arrange catering, travel logistics, and handle purchasing card acquittals.
• Facilitate the hosting of visitors by organising parking and booking venues, ensuring a smooth experience for all stakeholders.
• Assist in the preparation and support of meetings and committees chaired or attended by the Director, ensuring that all sessions run efficiently and effectively.
• Draft and manage communication on behalf of the Principal Investigating, ensuring clear and timely dissemination of information.
• Develop, implement and review systems and processes to ensure effective record-keeping; maintaining project files and ensuring appropriate treatment of information as per the University’s policies and procedures.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of University Policies and Procedures to ensure all project activities align
• Ensure the availability of necessary office supplies and manage related duties as required.

Please refer to the
Position Description
for further details.
What We Offer You!
This Fixed Term (12 Months) | Full Time (37.5 hours per week) position attracts a remuneration of $77,000 – $94,000 plus 17% employer superannuation contributions.
You’ll join a dynamic and talented team where diversity and innovation thrive. Our Bronze- tier status in the Australian Workplace Equality Index reflects our commitment to LGBTIQA+ inclusion, equity and creating a safe, welcoming environment for all. We strive to be the university of choice for First Nations peoples, honouring Indigenous knowledge. Sustainability is central to our community and guided by clear, confident leadership, we are working toward an ambitious future with goals of net zero emissions and zero waste by 2030.

As well as the flexibility to maintain a work life balance, our staff enjoy a vibrant, natural campus with world-class facilities, along with a variety of benefits, including:

• Periodic salary increases between 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2026 totalling an 6% increase!
• Flexible work arrangements
• Cultural Load and allowance - providing up to $8,944 per year to First Nations employees who are contributing cultural knowledge and perspectives beyond the scope of their role
• Indigenous Language Allowance
• Salary packaging options – such as purchasing leave, gym membership, car parking permit
• Employee Assistance Program
• On-campus services and facilities, such as a Childcare Centre, Gym, Vet Hospital, and Chiropractic Clinic

For further information, check out our
benefits and services page
!
Join us!

Please apply online via the Apply Now button, along with submitting the following documents to support your application -

• A cover letter including a statement addressing the selection criteria (with reference to the Position Description)
• Your most recent resume (CV)

Selection Criteria:

• Completion of an associate diploma level qualification with relevant work-related experience or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Demonstrated high level of computer literacy and proficiency in the production of high level work using software such as Microsoft Office and specified University software programs.
• High level of organisational, time and workload management skills, including the ability to prioritise workload to meet strict deadlines.
• Highly effective communication, customer service and interpersonal skills, and the demonstrated ability to interact constructively and collaboratively with staff at all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to use initiative, assume responsibility for tasks and projects and resolve problems.
• A commitment to equity and social justice principles.

Applicants should refer to the
Position Description
for further details on the work requirements, duties, skills and experience required for this role. Applications sent by post or email will not be accepted.
Please note visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants are expected to have current and valid work rights in Australia.
Applicants who have support or access requirements, are encouraged to advise this at the time of their application, to ensure appropriate assistance is provided throughout the recruitment process.
Contact Us
For enquiries about the opportunity on offer please reach out to Prof. Rajeev Varshney, Director of the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre and Director of the Centre for Crop & Food and quote JR103931 as the reference.
Applications Close 15/06/2025 (11:59pm AWST)
The University reserves the right to withdraw this advertisement at any time.
Murdoch University acknowledges the different perspectives, skills and experience that people from different backgrounds bring to strengthen its workforce. Murdoch University is committed to enhancing diversity in all its forms and strongly encourages suitably qualified candidates from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability, people of CaLD background and people of diverse genders to apply for this important position.
Murdoch University values workplace diversity, promotes inclusion, and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women, and individuals with disability. Applicants who have support or access requirements, are encouraged to advise this at the time of their application, to ensure appropriate assistance is provided throughout the recruitment process

• Oversee the daily operations of project activities, ensuring seamless support for the Principal Investigator (PI) and Director of the Centre for Crop and Food Innovation & State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre; including addressing telephone inquiries on behalf of the Director, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring efficient communication.
• Coordinating conferences, meetings, promotional events and public relations activities for the Director and project team in collaboration with Marketing. Manage schedules, arrange catering, travel logistics, and handle purchasing card acquittals.
• Facilitate the hosting of visitors by organising parking and booking venues, ensuring a smooth experience for all stakeholders.
• Assist in the preparation and support of meetings and committees chaired or attended by the Director, ensuring that all sessions run efficiently and effectively.
• Draft and manage communication on behalf of the Principal Investigating, ensuring clear and timely dissemination of information.
• Develop, implement and review systems and processes to ensure effective record-keeping; maintaining project files and ensuring appropriate treatment of information as per the University’s policies and procedures.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of University Policies and Procedures to ensure all project activities align
• Ensure the availability of necessary office supplies and manage related duties as required