Senior Research Data Officer

Location: Long Pocket

• Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)

• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position through to June 2028.

• Base salary will be in the range $106,709 - $116,198 + 17% super (HEW Level 7).

• Based at our conveniently located Long Pocket campus

About This Opportunity

Join TERN Australia’s Data Services and Analytics team and help create change together through nationally significant environmental research infrastructure. As a Senior Research Data Officer, you will provide technical leadership in data management, curation and analysis, ensuring high quality environmental data is accessible, reusable and impactful. Working alongside a collaborative, inclusive and highly skilled team, you will contribute to long term ecological research, climate monitoring and ecosystem surveillance while supporting open science and innovation across Australia’s research community.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading best practice data management, curation and governance activities across TERN’s research infrastructure.

• Designing and implementing end to end data lifecycle processes aligned with FAIR and CARE principles.

• Developing, maintaining and improving data analysis workflows, visualisation tools and data pipelines using Python, R and related technologies.

• Collaborating with researchers, government agencies and industry partners to enhance data quality, interoperability and accessibility.

About You

You are a highly motivated and experienced data professional who enjoys working at the intersection of environmental science, technology and research. You are passionate about unlocking the value of complex datasets and have the communication skills to engage effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.

• Postgraduate qualifications in Data Science, Software Engineering, Environmental Science, Ecology, Spatial Science, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and training.

• Advanced knowledge of the data management lifecycle, including data curation, quality control, preservation, storage and analysis, with demonstrated experience using Python, R and/or QGIS for data manipulation and analysis.

• Strong understanding of data and metadata standards relevant to earth and environmental science, including experience supporting FAIR and CARE principles.

• Proven experience leading or coordinating complex data initiatives, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to identify and resolve data quality and governance challenges.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with extensive experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams delivering large-scale research or digital infrastructure initiatives.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds from around the world, working together to create meaningful change. Join a community where excellence is at the heart of everything we do and where your expertise, ideas and contributions are valued.

At UQ, you will be challenged, inspired and rewarded while working with like minded people in a supportive, collaborative and purposeful environment. With access to world class facilities, outstanding research infrastructure and a culture that embraces innovation and inclusion, you will have the opportunity to make a genuine impact while advancing your career.

Benefits include free parking, flexible start and finish times, up to 26 weeks paid parental and primary care leave, 17% super, 17.5% leave loading, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program and salary packaging.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Siddeswara Guru at s.guru@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 to the ‘About You’ section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, criminal history checks and other role relevant checks. 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.

Applications close 31 August 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-68117). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for 4 September 2026.