Universities Australia is the voice of Australia’s universities. We work hard to ensure Australia has a strong higher education and research sector to support the nation’s future. On behalf of our 38 member universities, we actively collaborate withpolicy makers and political leaders at all levels of government and work closely with international partners to help support Australia’s world class university system.
Universities Australia holds long-lasting and productive cooperative agreements with a selection of counterpart organisations around the world including the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). UA is seeking a project officer to manage two projects that fall under these agreements.
Under the newest iteration of our shared workplanwith the CEAIE, we have committed to work together on an early career researcher fellowship program. This is a new collaborative project and one designed to promote academic collaboration and exchange between Australian and Chinese researchers. The fellowship will take place over two weeks in late April 2026.
Our agreement with the DAAD involves managing the Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme. This is an annual grant round that supports the exchange of researchers to and from Australia and Germany. UA has been the lead for this program in Australia since 2014.
The Project Officer will work under the guidance of UA Senior Advisor: Global Engagement to manage both these projects during 2026.
Skills and experience required
Proven ability to project manage and deliver on deadlines.
Cross-cultural communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Familiarity with Australia’s international education sector.
Experience working with senior university administrators.
Tasks include:
UA-CEAIE Early Career Researcher Fellowship
Project planning.
Communicating with UA members about the opportunity to host ECRs.
Securing host institutions for small groups of Chinese researchers.
Responding to queries from host universities.
Meeting regularly with Chinese counterparts to ensure shared timelines and expectations.
Developing information packages and running webinars for interested Australian universities.
Designing and facilitating a short orientation program for Chinese early career researchers
on arrival in Australia.
Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme
Preparing and distributing grant round documentation.
Communicating with UA members about the grant round and their participation.
Communicating with the DAAD about the round.
Addressing queries from researchers and research offices on the scheme.
Timing
This role requires 3 days per week from January–May 2026.
