Role type: Full-time; Continuing
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Department/ School: School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
Salary: UOM 5: $86,943 – $99,864 AUD p.a. plus 17% super
- Facilitate a seamless graduate researcher lifecycle by collaborating with diverse stakeholders and contributing to continuous process improvements.
- Apply now for this pivotal role supporting graduate researchers and driving operational excellence.
- Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.
The University of Melbourne
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.
Your next career opportunity
This isn't just an admin job; it's a role for someone who gets satisfaction from making things work properly. As our School Operations Officer, you will be the central figure ensuring a smooth and supportive journey for our graduate researchers, from their first day to their thesis submission. You'll also manage key school functions, like recruiting our casual teaching staff and providing high-level support to school committees.
This is a position where you can build deep expertise and become the go-to person for operational processes. You'll work with a high degree of autonomy, making decisions and solving problems, knowing you have the support of your coordinator when you need it.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Support Graduate Researchers: You'll be a key point of contact for research students, helping them navigate milestones, progress, and university procedures. You'll support their onboarding, coordinate support programs, and help them access what they need to succeed.
- Run Casual Academic Recruitment: You will manage the entire hiring process for our sessional academic staff, working with course coordinators to ensure our subjects are staffed with excellent educators.
- Support School Governance: As the Executive Officer for school committees, you'll prepare agendas, write clear and accurate minutes, and track action items to make sure important decisions are implemented effectively.
- Improve Our Processes: You'll have the opportunity to identify better ways of working, helping to refine our administrative systems and improve efficiency for everyone in the school.
You may be a outstanding fit if:
You are an experienced and dedicated professional with exceptional organisational and interpersonal skills, capable of providing comprehensive administrative support in a dynamic academic environment while contributing to process improvements and ensuring compliance.
You may also:
- A background in administration within a large, complex organisation and a relevant qualification (or equivalent experience).
- The ability to understand and explain complex rules and procedures clearly to different people.
- Excellent planning and time-management skills; you know how to prioritise your work to meet deadlines without constant supervision.
- Strong communication skills, with experience writing clear documents, emails, and committee minutes.
- Confidence in building good working relationships with academics, professional staff, and students.
- Strong computer skills, particularly with the Microsoft Office suite, and the ability to learn new systems.
- It would be a bonus if you have: experience in education administration, student or customer support and knowledge of Generative AI.
For further information please refer to the attached PD.
What we offer you!
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of advantages to support your success and sense of fulfillment, including:
- Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
- Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance
- Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance
- Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program
Your recent team – School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
The School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences (SAFES) has a vision of flourishing environments and communities. It brings together diverse discipline strengths to lead the development of new interdisciplinary thinking and high-impact solutions for global challenges relating to climate change, food security, healthy food systems, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, invasive species, and environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural practices. Our expertise spans biophysical, social and technical sciences, and we support a large cohort of PhD students across these domains.
The school teaches a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including the Bachelor of Agriculture, several majors of the Bachelor of Science and, and six Master coursework programs: Master of Agricultural Sciences, Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation, Master of Food and Packaging Innovation, Master of Food Science, Master of Urban Horticulture and Master of Environment.
Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We believe the diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.
We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing reasonable adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. For assistance, please contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments'). Contact details for other enquiries are located at the bottom of this page.
Find more information for applicants requiring reasonable adjustments.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Our Indigenous strategy, Murmuk Djerring outlines our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students.
Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at oied-hr@unimelb.edu.au for further information and support.
Please note : This role requires current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available.
A Working with Children Check (WWCC) is required for all positions. If successful, we'll guide you through the WWCC application process during onboarding and reimburse the cost.
Join Us and unlock your career potential!
If this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
- The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)
Learn more about the application process, including tips and FAQs.
For recruitment queries, email Oliver Bukasa hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au. Include the Position Number and Job Title in the subject line. Please do not send applications to this email address.
For job-specific queries, refer to the contact details in the Position Description.
Applications close:8 December 2025. 11:55 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) / Melbourne time zone.