Research Station Operations Manager at The University of Queensland

Heron Island, Queensland, Australia -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

22 Jan, 26

Salary

129654.0

Posted On

24 Oct, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Marine Science, Conservation, Business, Law, Team Management, Budget Management, Regulatory Compliance, Health And Safety, Interpersonal Skills, Technical Support, Training, Diving Operations, Facility Management, Inventory Management, Procurement, Continuous Improvement

Industry

Civil Engineering

Description

Faculty of Science / Heron Island Research Station Full-time (100%), fixed-term position, up to 8 months Base salary will be in the range $115,645.22 - $129,654.48 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 8) Based at our Heron Island Research Station - Take a virtual tour! About This Opportunity The Research Station Operations Manager plays a vital role in supporting research that deepens our understanding of the natural world. Responsible for the daily operations and forward planning of one of UQ’s remote research stations, this role ensures that facilities operate safely, efficiently, and in support of high-quality research and teaching outcomes. Based at Heron Island Research Station within the Faculty of Science, you’ll oversee staff, site use, and compliance, while contributing to the continuous improvement of policies, systems, and practices that enable innovative and impactful research across UQ’s research station network. Key responsibilities will include: Lead and manage staff in the daily operations of UQ’s research stations and associated infrastructure. Provide ongoing training in fieldwork, scientific services, boating, diving, facility management, and administration. Foster a safe, collaborative, and high-performing team environment in a remote location. Oversee client use of facilities and equipment, ensuring compliance with risk management frameworks and local procedures. Manage inventory and procurement of essential resources, supporting budgets and strategic planning. Monitor and report on site, equipment, and process performance. Contribute to strategic direction, governance, and continuous improvement of procedures. Deliver on key performance metrics to ensure effective, sustainable facility use. Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety, legislation, and University policies. Act as a UQ Skills Educator, providing training, assessment, and mentoring aligned with fieldwork and vocational requirements. Represent UQ with regulatory bodies and collaborate with teams to maintain safe and functional operations. Undertake other duties as reasonably requested by the Senior Manager, Infrastructure & Facilities. To view the Position Description in full, please email talent@uq.edu.au About UQ As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world. Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as: Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave 17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program Salary packaging options About You Postgraduate qualification in marine science, conservation, business, law, or a related discipline with extensive relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of applied scientific principles, including health and safety, animal ethics, and environmental compliance. Experience applying scientific and engineering principles to provide technical support and services. Demonstrated experience implementing regulatory compliance. Proven experience in leading and managing teams, including delegation, training, and oversight of staff while ensuring quality outcomes. Experience managing a research facility, including budget management. Demonstrated high-level interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and sustain strategic relationships and work collaboratively with clients. High-level computer literacy, with ability to use or quickly learn software for analytical instruments and business operations. Current, or ability to attain, necessary qualifications for: Diving operations (AS/NZS 2299 series) Domestic commercial vessel operations (AMSA) Skills training (Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or equivalent) Operation of plant and heavy machinery The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check, first aid and/or CPR certification, blue card check. 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. Questions? For more information about this opportunity, please contact Ted Simmonds, Senior Manager, Infrastructure and Facilities via edward.simmonds@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. Want to Apply? We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload: Resume A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au. Other Information UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role. Applications close 7 November 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-57120). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for early November. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Responsibilities

The Research Station Operations Manager oversees the daily operations and forward planning of UQ’s remote research stations, ensuring safe and efficient facility use. This role includes managing staff, compliance, and contributing to the continuous improvement of policies and practices.