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Senior Research and Innovation Officer
Department of State Development
Job reference: 842655
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About us:                                                                

The Department of State Development is the South Australian Government’s lead economic development agency. 

Our mission is to drive sustainable economic growth in South Australia by increasing industrial and workforce capability, capacity, collaboration and resilience. We take pride in hiring the right people for the right jobs and offer an attractive, flexible workplace. 

For more information about our agency, please visit: 

Department of State Development | statedevelopment.sa.gov.au 

About the role:

The Senior Research and Innovation Officer works with researchers and research institutes, industry, early-stage companies, and other participants in the R&I ecosystem to provide expert advice and to develop and deliver significant policies and programs that are strategic priorities for DSD.

The role will focus on delivering the Summer Plan Industry R&D Program supporting South Australia’s commercial fishing and aquaculture industry to test innovative processes and products to respond and recover from the impacts of brevetoxin and the Algal Bloom in South Australia. The role works across DSD teams and government, industry and a broad cohort of stakeholders to manage programs and projects with responsibilities for developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure successful program design and delivery.

As a Senior Research and Innovation Officer, you will:

  1. Lead and maintain stakeholder and customer engagement across the R&I ecosystem, providing expert guidance and direct referrals to relevant programs, expertise, and funding opportunities to support their initiatives and challenges.
  2. Lead the development of new projects and programs that support the successful delivery of DSD’s strategic objectives and support the South Australian R&I ecosystem.
  3. Provide oversight of major projects and programs, including contracting, managing funding agreements, and evaluating progress, outcomes, and performance data – while also delivering project‑management oversight for intra‑ and interdepartmental initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
  4. Evaluate Expression of Interests and Full Applications and conduct market, financial, and other due diligence analysis reports, as required, to aid in the assessment of co-investment and funding requests for programs and initiatives that are implemented through the Department of State Development.
  5. Oversee complex program performance reporting, analysis and evaluation, ensuring compliance, effective program delivery and maximising measurable impact and value to South Australia.
  6. Drive continuous improvement of departmental and contract‑management processes by applying initiative and expert judgement to enhance efficiency, compliance, oversight and operational excellence, while supporting staff capability development through mentoring and on‑the‑job training in collaboration with the Manager, Research Programs.

Key Competencies:

To apply and succeed in the role, you will have:

  • Advanced Project Management skills and experience with developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of complex projects and programs
  • Proven capability to resolve complex business problems at both strategic and operational level
  • Excellent attention to detail and time management skills and ability to manage competing tasks and high volumes of workflow in faced-paced environment
  • Demonstrated ability to negotiate effectively with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders

Remuneration:

Competitive salary of ASO7 p.a. plus superannuation

Benefits:

Bringing your talent to the Department of State Development will see you rewarded with a wide variety of benefits such as:

  • A variety of leave arrangements
  • Work-life balance with a flexible hybrid work arrangement
  • Access to great customised training and career development opportunities

Qualifications:

  • Essential: Nil
  • Desirable: Tertiary qualifications in a discipline relevant to the position.

Special Conditions:

  • The role will be offered full-time (1.0 FTE) for up to 18 months
  • Satisfactory Department of Human Services Criminal History Check or National Police Check (NPC) required prior to employment

Enquiries:

For confidential enquiries / further information about the role, please contact Dr Ellen Schuler, Manager, Research Programs via Ellen.Schuler@sa.gov.au

 How to Apply:

All applications must be submitted through the I Work For SA website. 

Applicants are required to submit the following:

  • Cover letter demonstrating the suitability for the role by addressing the key competencies (2 pages max)
  • Curriculum Vitae (4 pages max)
  • Prepare 3 referees (at least one should be current or recent line manager), to be provided on request.
  • Pre-employment Declaration Form – find the attachment on the job advert.

Applications close: 10/05/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- DSD Role Description - ASO7 Senior Research and Innovation Officer_Mar'26.pdf
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf


Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.