Jobs and Careers

• A senior, visible role working directly with the Executive Director in a national research institute
• Shape how Australia’s forest and wood innovation research is articulated, partnered and delivered
• Full time, fixed term (until March 2029) based in Launceston or remote

About the opportunity

Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) is Australia’s national research and innovation institute for the forest and wood products sector, operating through a unique industry–government–university partnership model.

AFWI is entering a key delivery and assurance phase under its 2025–2030 Strategy and is seeking a Research Partnerships Manager to play a critical role in strengthening research partnerships, stakeholder engagement and Commonwealth research reporting.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role leads the coordination of research partnerships across AFWI’s distributed research system, working closely with universities, industry partners and government stakeholders. The role is also responsible for leading the preparation and synthesis of high-quality research narratives, impact material and reporting to the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), supporting informed decision-making by AFWI’s Board and advisory committees.

You will bring demonstrated experience in research partnerships or R&D program coordination, strong written and analytical capability, and the ability to work confidently across complex stakeholder environments. Experience in publicly funded research settings and an understanding of research governance, commercialisation and impact translation are highly desirable.

This role suits a senior, organised and collaborative professional who enjoys operating at the intersection of research delivery, strategy, governance and stakeholder engagement, and who can translate complex research activity into clear and compelling outputs.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and manage research partnerships between industry, universities and government organisations across AFWI’s research portfolio, supporting the Executive Director in building and sustaining nationally significant collaboration arrangements, including the development, management and implementation of a CRM to support effective stakeholder relationship management.
• Lead research reporting activities, including acting as the primary author of research content, drafting research narratives and impact material, and coordinating and synthesising research inputs for all Commonwealth (DAFF) submissions and milestone reports.
• Prepare and coordinate research content for the AFWI Board and advisory committees and lead the Secretariat function for the Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement Subcommittee (SSE) and First Nations Subcommittee (FNSC).
• Develop research narratives, impacts cases studies and evidence in collaboration with Executive Director, Deputy Director and strategic communicators to support strategic engagement and research impact articulation.
• Work collaboratively across AFWI and the national research system, including with the Deputy Director, Business Manager, Research Funding Manager, and other internal and external stakeholders.

­What we’re looking for:

• Postgraduate tertiary qualifications in science, engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Significant experience in research partnerships, Research & Development program coordination or management, including preparation and coordination of formal research reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in industry–university–government research collaboration, with depth of experience in at least one sector and the ability to work effectively across all three.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement, analytical and written communication skills, including the ability to synthesise complex research material for governance and reporting purposes.
• Experience working within publicly funded research environments, including universities, CRCs, RDCs or research institutes.
• Demonstrated understanding of research commercialisation, translation and delivery of R&D outputs.

Salary details

Appointment to this role will be at HEO 9 and will have a total remuneration package of up to $160,613 comprising base salary within the range of $130,242 to $137,276 plus 17% superannuation.

How to Apply

• To apply online, please provide your CV and 1-2-page cover letter outlining your interest in the role, skills, capabilities and experience.  You do not need to separately address the success profile.
• For further information about this position, please contact Joseph Lawrence, Executive Director of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations, on Joseph.Lawrence@utas.edu.au or 0363249465.
• Please visit https://www.utas.edu.au/jobs/applying for our guide to applying and details on the recruitment process.
• For current UTAS staff, in submitting your application, you acknowledge you have/intend to discuss your interest in this vacancy with your current manager and understand they may need to be contacted confidentially by the hiring manager as part of the assessment of your application.
• Please refer to the attached Position Description Below for full details.

 Position Description - 502286 - Research Partnerships Manager - AFWI.pdf

Applications close Sunday, 8 March 2026, 11.55pm

 The University of Tasmania acknowledges the Palawa/Pakana and Gadigal/Wangal people as the traditional custodians of the land, sea and waters of the areas upon which we live and work. We recognise their valuable contributions and deep connection to country and pay respect to Elders past and present.

As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive workplace, employment history and police checks may be conducted as part of the selection process.

To be eligible for this position, you are required to hold Australian or New Zealand Citizenship, permanent residency or a valid visa that enables you to fulfil the requirements of this role.