About This Opportunity
The BASE Facility at the University of Queensland is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Partnerships Lead to drive strategic partnerships and external engagement that support the development of new mRNA‐LNP medicines. In this full‐time (100%) fixed‐term position, you will focus on building and managing collaborations with academic, industry, government, and clinical partners across Australia. You will also lead BASE's external profile, including marketing, conferences, communications, and social media. Working closely with BASE scientists and operational teams, you will help translate BASE's technical capabilities into strong partnerships, valuable services, and national impact. The role requires scientific literacy, strong communication skills, sound judgement, and the ability to manage relationships, contracts, and strategic initiatives in a fast‐moving research environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop research collaborations and strategic partnerships with academic, industry, government, and clinical partners.
* Support partners and clients to access BASE mRNA‐LNP services and products.
* Develop and implement partnership, business development, and engagement strategies to promote BASE services nationally.
* Build strong long‐term relationships with existing and prospective partners.
* Represent BASE in discussions, negotiations, and meetings with partners and stakeholders.
* Work closely with BASE scientists and production teams to match partner needs with appropriate technical capability and service delivery.
* Communicate technical and project information clearly and accurately to partners and clients.
* Identify new partnership opportunities that support BASE's research, service, and translational goals.
* Develop BASE's external profile and engagement activities, including marketing, digital communications, social media, and conference participation.
* Develop and implement strategies to raise the profile of BASE within the national and international mRNA sector.
* Ensure marketing and communication materials are clear, scientifically accurate, and aligned with the BASE brand and strategy.
* Represent BASE at conferences, workshops, and industry events.
* Work with internal UQ stakeholders to align communications and external engagement with AIBN and UQ priorities.
* Contribute to a high‐performing, collaborative team culture focused on service, quality, impact, and continuous improvement.
* Provide supervision and people management in line with the UQ Leadership Framework.
* Help set team priorities, performance measures, and development plans aligned with BASE strategic objectives.
* Prepare reports, presentations, business cases, briefing notes, and partnership proposals.
* Work closely with scientific and operational teams to understand emerging capabilities and translate them into partnership and engagement opportunities.
* Travel interstate, and occasionally internationally, as required to meet partners and represent BASE.
About the BASE Facility
BASE is located at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at the University of Queensland. It is one of Australia's leading national facilities for mRNA research and manufacture, providing end‐to‐end services that enable scientists to design, manufacture, and validate mRNA‐LNPs. BASE has experience developing a range of mRNA medicines, including vaccines, antibodies, and cell‐ and gene‐therapies. Its research laboratories at AIBN, UQ, St Lucia, drive an innovative research program in new mRNA technologies and medicines, and its dedicated manufacture facilities located at the Translational Research Institute (TRI) produce high‐quality, custom mRNA‐LNPs.
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. We welcome a range of opportunities such as up to 26 weeks paid parental leave, 17% superannuation contributions, flexible working arrangements, health and wellness discounts, career development opportunities, on‐campus childcare options, affordable parking, and salary packaging options.
About You
* Postgraduate qualification (Master's or higher) and relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
* Experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating strategies in collaboration with diverse internal and external stakeholders, and facilitating ongoing monitoring of the strategy to ensure achievement of stated goals.
* Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with academic, government, clinical, and industry stakeholders.
* Commitment to delivering high‐quality client experience across the full engagement lifecycle.
* Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to represent organisational capabilities to diverse external audiences.
* Ability to establish, lead, and develop sales, marketing, or client‐facing functions.
* Ability to lead marketing and engagement activities with the goal of increasing organisational visibility.
* Willingness and ability to travel interstate to represent the organisation, attend conferences, and meet partners.
* Ability to prepare clear, high‐quality reports, presentations, and strategic documents that effectively communicate partnership, marketing, and commercial performance insights.
* Commitment to upholding the University's values, and with the outstanding personal qualities of openness, respectfulness and integrity.
We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.
To be considered, please ensure you upload a resume and a cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the About You section. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility, please let us know.
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