Job Description
Join the dynamic and innovate Swinburne Research Contracts & Grants team
Fulltime, ongoing position at our Hawthorn campus
HEW 7 salary + 17% super
About the Role
Swinburne is seeking a Senior Officer, Research Contracts to manage the review, negotiation, and execution of a range of research agreements, including research services, subcontracts, collaboration agreements, and confidentiality agreements. You will also provide advice on legal, financial, IP, and commercial matters related to research contracting.
In this role, you will support contract administration activities such as project scoping, costing, risk assessment, and record-keeping. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Research and Industry Contracts, you will contribute to improving contract processes and delivering training to researchers and support staff. This position is key to ensuring Swinburne’s contractual obligations are understood and upheld. Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills are essential, along with a solid understanding of research and project management.
About You
To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:
Demonstrated experience in drafting, negotiating, advising on research contracts within the higher education or commercial or government environment
Demonstrated understanding of key issues and risks associated with research and commercial contracts and the ability to identify, understand, and clearly articulate the implications of contract terms and risk
Ability to apply initiative, judgment and problem-solving skills, particularly to issues in commercial contracting
Commitment to the provision of quality service, with demonstrated ability to provide user friendly, responsive client service
Further information about this role can be found in the attached position description.
Qualifications
Completion of a relevant tertiary qualification with relevant experience or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training
About Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.
To Apply
Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing your suitability for this position.
To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.
If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.
Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on talentacquisition@swin.edu.au .
Applications Close: Sunday 18th May 2026, 11pm
Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.
Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, ****** orientation, disability, and age.
We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.
We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact at DCR@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 +214 3550. Please note the above number and DCR email address are for disability or reasonable adjustments queries only. General enquires about the role can be sent to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au (general enquires will not be answered by phone).
Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.
As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.
As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.
#LI-SW
&
Fulltime, ongoing position at our Hawthorn campus
HEW 7 salary + 17% super
About the Role
Swinburne is seeking a Senior Officer, Research Contracts to manage the review, negotiation, and execution of a range of research agreements, including research services, subcontracts, collaboration agreements, and confidentiality agreements. You will also provide advice on legal, financial, IP, and commercial matters related to research contracting.
In this role, you will support contract administration activities such as project scoping, costing, risk assessment, and record-keeping. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Research and Industry Contracts, you will contribute to improving contract processes and delivering training to researchers and support staff. This position is key to ensuring Swinburne’s contractual obligations are understood and upheld. Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills are essential, along with a solid understanding of research and project management.
About You
To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:
Demonstrated experience in drafting, negotiating, advising on research contracts within the higher education or commercial or government environment
Demonstrated understanding of key issues and risks associated with research and commercial contracts and the ability to identify, understand, and clearly articulate the implications of contract terms and risk
Ability to apply initiative, judgment and problem-solving skills, particularly to issues in commercial contracting
Commitment to the provision of quality service, with demonstrated ability to provide user friendly, responsive client service
Further information about this role can be found in the attached position description.
Qualifications
Completion of a relevant tertiary qualification with relevant experience or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training
About Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.
To Apply
Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing your suitability for this position.
To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.
If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.
Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on talentacquisition@swin.edu.au .
Applications Close: Sunday 18th May 2026, 11pm
Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.
Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, ****** orientation, disability, and age.
We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.
We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact at DCR@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 +214 3550. Please note the above number and DCR email address are for disability or reasonable adjustments queries only. General enquires about the role can be sent to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au (general enquires will not be answered by phone).
Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.
As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.
As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.
#LI-SW
&
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Senior Officer, Research Contracts position is now open for candidates interested in the Legal Jobs sector. This role in Melbourne offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Legal Jobs is a plus.