Research Program Officer
MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000
YOUR ROLE IN THE FUTURE
Research Program Officer
2-year Fixed Term, Part Time 24 hours a week initially, with the possibility to increase to 32hrs as workload increases
Parkville location, with multiple transport options at our doorstep
At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, compassion and excellence, and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.
About the role
Are you a highly organised, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment? This is your opportunity to play a vital role in supporting impactful clinical research.
What you’ll do:
You’ll be at the heart of our research programs, providing end-to-end administrative and operational support to keep projects running smoothly. From coordinating meetings and managing communications to supporting research lifecycle activities—ethics, governance, contracts, and reporting—you’ll be the central link connecting teams and stakeholders.
Reporting to Prof Shankar Siva The Research Program Officer (RPO) supports a Senior Clinician Researcher within the Department of Radiation Oncology at Peter Mac, contributing to a coordinated program of clinical and translational research. The primary focus of the role is to maximise the time researchers can dedicate to high-impact research by providing comprehensive administrative, project management, and operational support. Working closely with the Research Program Manager, the RPO plays a key role in ensuring the efficient delivery of clinical research activities across multiple projects.
You’ll also:
· Assist with grant applications, manuscripts, and scientific abstracts
· Maintain research databases and ensure accurate reporting
· Support financial processes including budget tracking and grant management
· Drive continuous process improvements to enhance program efficiency
· Collaborate closely with researchers, students, and external partners
Why this role?
This is more than administration—it’s an opportunity to contribute to meaningful research outcomes that make a real difference. If you enjoy variety, collaboration, and being the backbone of high-performing teams, this role is for you.
Remuneration
As per the HEALTH AND ALLIED SERVICES, MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORKERS (VICTORIAN PUBLIC SECTOR) (SINGLE INTEREST EMPLOYERS) ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2021-2025. Grade 3 Level 1 [HS3] $47,020.04 to Grade 3 Level 5 [HS25] $51,982.48. Depending on candidate experince.
Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:
• Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay
• Discounted health insurance and eye care
• A comprehensive health and wellbeing program
• Public transport options at our doorstep and end-of-trip facilities for cyclists
• Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces
• Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities
• Five weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading
• Flexible working hours
Join us!
If you feel this role is right for you we warmly invite you to apply, and encourage your early application. Applicants should provide a covering letter highlighting their key skills and experience to assist with our assessment. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check and vaccination evidence. Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.
Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.
For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.
Hiring Manager: Adrienne See
Contact Number: 03 8556 3126
Email: Adrienne.See@petermac.org
Applications Close: 11:59PM Sunday 7 June 2026
Position Summary
The Research Program Officer (RPO) is located in Department of Radiation Oncology at Peter Mac and will be responsible for providing support to a Senior Clinician Researcher. The purpose of this position is to maximise the time that this researcher and the program team are able to spend on clinical research activities. The research program is based on a co-ordinated body of research focused on clinical and translational radiation oncology.
The RPO will assist the Research Program Manager (RPM) to ensure clinical research runs efficiently by providing administrative, research and budgetary support via a range of varied functions including but not limited to: project management, ethics and governance submissions, reviewing and submitting conference abstracts and peer review manuscripts, coordinating diaries, organising meetings, database management, writing new grant proposals, and grant financial management and reports. This position requires regular interaction with several institute departments and key external organisations.
Enterprise Agreement
HEALTH AND ALLIED SERVICES, MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORKERS (VICTORIAN PUBLIC SECTOR) (SINGLE INTEREST EMPLOYERS) ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2021-2025
Classification or Salary Range
Grade 3 Level 1 [HS3]
Immunisation Risk Category
Category C: Position within a non-clinical setting.
Key Relationships
| Internal | • Department of Radiation Oncology • Tumour streams (Lung, urology and others) • Radiation Oncology clinical trials team • Clinical Research Unit • PCCTU • OCR / CRDO • Ethics and Governance office • Grants office • Legal team • Department and institute finance teams • Administrative staff |
| External | • Grant funding bodies • Commercial companies and trial sponsors • Collaborative clinical trial groups (eg: TROG, ANZUP, ALTG, IROCK) • International collaborators • University of Melbourne • VCCC partners and collaborators |
Skills
| Essential Requirements | • Relevant tertiary health sciences degree such as BSc (Hons). • Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage priorities to meet deadlines on multiple tasks. • Aptitude for communicating effectively with a variety of audiences; excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. • Ability to maintain confidentiality, discretion and sound judgement. • High levels of accuracy and attention to detail. • Consistent demonstration of initiative, able to rapidly adapt and respond to changes. • Demonstrated excellent team working skills. • Strong computer literacy, and proficiency using a range of software packages including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat. • Understanding of scientific and medical terminology. |
| Desirable Requirements | • Demonstrated ability to understand and prepare scientific documentation. • Experience in preparing and monitoring budgets. • Strong administrative and/or business experience in a research or academic environment. • Post-graduate qualification is desirable, but not essential. • Clinical research experience. |
Key Accountabilities
| Key Accountabilities | Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators |
| 1. Administrative & Communication | • The key function of the role is to assist with the administrative workload of the research team (Professor Shankar Siva or as delegated) • Assist in the coordination of scientific & research meetings, committees, and events associated with the research program (both internal and external) including minutes & calendars. • Assistance with preparing presentation materials via Power Point, Word & Excel. • Creation and/or review of material for websites and/or social media; project specific webpage maintenance • Act as the central point of contact, liaising with departments as required. • Deliver day‑to‑day operational and administrative support, including diary management, publication databases, maintaining Investigator CV |
| 2. Research Coordination | • Assist with the start-up processes of new projects to ensure efficient and problem free commencement and ongoing management of existing projects including but not limited to: • Ethics and governance applications and reporting. • Manage local and international research contracts and agreements where required, liaising with PMCC legal or CRDO as necessary. • Assist with establishment and maintenance of research databases. • Reporting to funding bodies. • Oversight of timelines and milestones for clinical trials and research projects. • Research document management • Liaising with study sponsors and sites regarding trial documentation, budgets and contracts • Demonstrate knowledge of designated and other relevant clinical trial protocols • Research document management. • Liaising with local, national and international collaborators. • Scientific abstract & manuscript review, editing and submission. • Grant writing support, editing, review and submission • Provide support for PhD students, postdocs and research assistants as applicable. • Other administrative duties as required to cover the Clinician Researcher or Research Program Manager • Take on additional functions within the team as negotiated (including additional FTE if and as required) with the Clinician Researcher |
Key Accountabilities (Contd..)
| Key Accountabilities | Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators |
| 3. Finance & Grant management | • Assist in the preparation of budgets for grants, commercial funding and clinical trials. • Budget oversight for grants and clinical trials to ensure milestones and payments are met. • Invoicing. • Administering reimbursement and invoicing of costs associated with events by Clinician Researcher • Process development and improvement. |
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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC
- Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
- Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
- We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.