Senior Graduate Research Officer, Lifecycle

PRIMARY DETAIL

- Salary package:  $102,136 – $112,741 per annum (HEW Level 6), plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
- Appointment type:  Full-time, continuing role
- Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

Guide graduate researchers through every milestone, shape an exceptional research training experience, and help create knowledge that matters

Are you looking for a role where your specialist knowledge directly shapes the experience of the next generation of researchers? The Graduate Research Academy (GRA) is looking for a Senior Graduate Research Officer, Lifecycle, to provide specialised advice and administrative support for international and domestic graduate research students across their full journey — from enrolment through to completion.

Sitting within the portfolio of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), the GRA is a central unit that provides support, operations and administration for our graduate research students, supervisors and faculties. Working in partnership with faculties, the team helps ensure every student has an exceptional graduate research training experience.

This is an opportunity to bring your higher education expertise to a purpose-driven team, resolve genuinely interesting and complex candidature matters, and contribute to projects that improve the way we support graduate researchers.

About the Role

Reporting to the Graduate Research Lifecycle Manager, you will provide specialised advice and complex administrative support that keeps our graduate research candidature running smoothly. Your responsibilities will include:

• Onboarding and enrolling graduate research students and advising on changes to candidature, including impacts on scholarship payments and external agreements.

• Investigating and resolving diverse and complex candidature matters, handling sensitive issues and difficult conversations with tact and discretion, and escalating serious matters where needed.

• Undertaking complex administration for global PhD students, including liaising with the University's travel management company in line with scholarship arrangements.

• Processing complex workflows relating to external examiner nominations, thesis submissions and course completions, and supporting overseas partners in joint PhD examination processes.

• Issuing and amending Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for international students.

• Applying specialist knowledge of graduate research scholarships — maintaining understanding of internally, externally and co-funded schemes, creating scholarship rewards in the student management system, and accurately linking components (stipends, top-ups, OSHC and allowances) to the correct account codes and budgets.

• Reconciling tuition fees and stipend payments for quality assurance, monitoring student data to support government reporting, and resolving errors and data integrity issues in a timely way.

• Supporting the Research Degree Subcommittee through preparation of agendas, papers, minutes and correspondence.

• Contributing to service, process and system improvement initiatives.

About Us

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation over 60 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university: one that fosters a vibrant, connected community and a genuine commitment to research and teaching that makes a difference. The Graduate Research Academy is central to that mission, partnering with faculties to deliver an outstanding experience for graduate research students, supervisors and staff.

About You

You are an organised and adaptable higher education professional who enjoys applying policy accurately, resolving complex matters, and building productive relationships with a wide range of people. You balance careful attention to detail with the initiative to manage competing priorities, and you communicate clearly and thoughtfully with students and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

Selection Criteria

• A degree with experience working in a higher education setting, ideally in graduate research.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively in a fast-paced environment, while also taking initiative and working independently to manage competing demands.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply organisational policy in a consistent, accurate and appropriate manner.

• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally and with empathy to a broad range of people from diverse backgrounds.

• Demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated excellent time management skills, with a proven ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines using judgement and initiative.

• Demonstrated excellent computing skills, including a sound working knowledge of the Microsoft suite of programs, experience using student information management systems, and well-developed word processing and spreadsheet data entry skills.

How to Apply

To be considered, please apply online with your CV and a cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with the selection criteria (above).

Applications Close: Wednesday 19th of August 2026 at 11:59pm (AEST).

We reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date.

For enquiries, or a confidential conversation about the role please contact Smitha Shridhar - Graduate Research Lifecycle Manager, at [email protected].

Why Join Us?

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation over 60 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today.

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index. Explore the fantastic benefits available to you when you become part of the team at Macquarie University.

• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements

• 17% Superannuation

• Subsidised onsite parking options

• Extensive training and professional development programs

• Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents

• Onsite vacation care during school holidays

• Discounted health insurance

• Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre

• Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support

• Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics

Pre-Employment Checks

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.

If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account. To apply for this job: Login to Workday and go to the Careers App > Find Jobs.

Applications Close:

19/08/2026 11:59 PM

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A Place Where You Belong
At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.