Research Project Officer

The Research Office at UOWD supports academic staff in the delivery of high-quality, externally and internally funded research projects. As the University’s research activity continues to expand across disciplines and funding sources, the Office plays a critical role in ensuring operational excellence, compliance, and audit readiness.

The Research Project Officer contributes directly to strengthening the University’s research governance, project delivery standards, and institutional capability.

About the Role

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) is seeking a proactive and highly organised Research Project Officer to support the effective delivery of the University’s growing research portfolio.

This role serves as the central coordination point for faculty-led research projects, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and compliant with funding and institutional requirements . Working closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), the role applies structured project management principles to coordinate timelines, budgets, procurement, and reporting.

Operating within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment, the position requires strong analytical capability, sound judgement, and the ability to anticipate risks, manage competing priorities, and support evidence-based decision-making across the research lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and monitor research project delivery from award initiation to close‑out
• Maintain a centralised project schedule and milestone tracking system across multiple projects
• Conduct regular structured meetings with Principal Investigators to review progress, risks, and resource needs
• Map and track reporting requirements to ensure timely submission to funding bodies
• Identify and elevate project risks (financial, operational, compliance) and maintain risk registers
• Manage procurement processes for research-related equipment and services in coordination with internal teams
• Support recruitment and contract tracking for project staff in collaboration with People & Culture
• Monitor spend against budgets, providing forecasting and variance analysis
• Maintain complete and audit‑ready records of project documentation and approvals
• Facilitate collaboration between research teams and central functions (Finance, HR, Procurement, Legal, Marketing)
• Support project closure activities, including financial reconciliation and archiving of outputs
• Contribute to process improvement by identifying and standardising best practices across projects

About You

You are an experienced project or operations professional with strong organisational capability and the ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder portfolios.

You bring a structured, detail‑oriented approach to project delivery, combined with the confidence to work with academic stakeholders and navigate a governance‑focused environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or related field
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a project‑based or programme coordination role
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, timelines, procurement, and reporting cycles
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and project tracking tools
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and managing cross‑functional relationships
• Ability to interpret and apply complex policies, contracts, or funding requirements
• Experience in higher education, research administration, or grant‑funded environments
• Project management certification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, CAPM)
• Experience supporting audits and maintaining compliance documentation
• Exposure to research governance, ethics, or data management frameworks

Compensation and Benefits

UOWD offers a competitive and comprehensive employment package designed to attract and retain high‑quality professional staff. The package for this role includes:

• Competitive tax‑free salary, commensurate with qualifications and experience
• Comprehensive medical insurance for the employee (and eligible dependents, subject to policy)
• Annual leave entitlement of 25 working days
• Public holidays as per the UAE calendar
• End‑of‑service gratuity, in accordance with UAE Labour Law
• Access to a stable, well‑governed working environment within a reputable international university
• Opportunities to contribute to institutional improvement, automation initiatives, and professional development

UOWD is an equal opportunity employer that attracts, develops, motivates, empowers, and retains a diverse workforce.

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