Principal Business Development Officer

• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.
• Full-time, fixed-term position for up to 3 years.
• Base salary will be in the range $106,709 to $116,198 + 17% super (HEW Level 7).
• Based at our St Lucia location .

About This Opportunity

The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is seeking a purposeful and highly motivated Principal Business Development Officer to help develop strategic research partnerships with industry and investors and progress major initiatives across the Institute.

Working in a collaborative environment alongside the Head of Business Development, research leaders, researchers and professional teams, you will connect partner needs and market opportunities with QAAFI’s research capabilities.

Through strategic influence, trusted relationships and operational excellence, you will help diversify QAAFI’s research investment portfolio and translate innovative research into meaningful outcomes for agriculture and food industries.

Key responsibilities will include , but not limited to

• Coordinate the development of large-scale, multi-stakeholder research initiatives, including business cases, concept papers, briefing materials, investment proposals, workshops and stakeholder forums.
• Develop productive relationships with industry stakeholders, investors, government agencies and research partners, while identifying opportunities for strategic partnerships, co-investment and commissioned research.
• Work with researchers and research leaders to scope and progress funding opportunities, project concepts and collaborative research proposals that align with partner requirements and University and QAAFI frameworks.
• Identify research and intellectual property with commercial potential and collaborate with UniQuest , researchers and external stakeholders to support translation, commercialisation, industry uptake and research impact.

About You

• A degree with four years of subsequent relevant experience in business development, industry partnership development, commercialisation, intellectual property management or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training and experience.
• Relevant experience within the agriculture and food sector, a university, research organisation, Cooperative Research Centre, Research and Development Corporation or innovation ecosystem.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining productive investment relationships with stakeholders across industry, government or the research sector.
• Experience coordinating complex initiatives or engagement activities involving multiple stakeholders and organisational boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to identify , develop and progress business development opportunities, strategic partnerships, co-investment arrangements or commissioned research.
• Sound understanding of the Australian research, innovation, commercialisation and research funding environment, with familiarity in research commercialisation processes and intellectual property management frameworks being highly advantageous .
• High-level interpersonal, facilitation, negotiation, customer engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to build trust and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, sound judgement and the ability to prepare compelling reports, proposals and briefing materials while independently managing competing priorities.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, working together to create a better world. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available.

Enjoy up to 26 weeks paid parental and primary care leave, 17% super, 17.5% leave loading, flexible and hybrid working options, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, on-campus childcare, affordable parking, and salary packaging.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Oliver Frith o.frith@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 and criminal history 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. Just let us know how we can help by emailing talent@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close Sunday 20 September 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-68485 ).