Ready to make an impact in the water sector while growing your career?

Water Research Australia (WaterRA) is a leading member-driven organisation dedicated to advancing collaborative water research, innovation and capability building to protect public health and safeguard the sustainability of our water resources.

We are looking for a collaborative and proactive Research Manager to join our Research Services Team. To excel in this role, you will be great at managing projects, love working with both researchers and industry, and have a passion for building relationships, and delivering real world outcomes that make a difference and drive value for our members and growth for WaterRA.

The water industry is a great place to build your career. Every day you are helping to deliver a service that is essential for life – improving outcomes for our communities, environment, and economies. WaterRA holds a privileged position to undertake research to support and meet the needs of this sector.

More than just a Project Manager
You have experience managing all stages of the project life cycle: from initial idea, project definition through to funding, contracting, milestone delivery, and finally knowledge transfer - ideally as it relates to research, innovation and/or business development.

More than a Researcher
You are experienced in managing a portfolio of research projects and relationships, especially in utilities, regulators or consultants in water, wastewater, or related environmental fields.

More than an Engineer or a Scientist
You have experience in problem definition and solutions, dealing with ambiguity, managing relationships and building collaborations across a portfolio of projects while balancing competing priorities.

It is essential that you have:

Tertiary qualifications in science and/or engineering or a related discipline appropriate to the water sector. Minimum degree qualification, with preference for PhD

At least two years’ experience within the water sector, ideally within a utility, or policy stakeholder, and if possible, with direct experience or good exposure to functions and operations that are relevant to the research of Water Research Australia’s.

Experience managing multiple projects or programs of projects and associated teams, preferably in the water sector, and preferably in function managing research and/or innovation, strategy or business improvement projects

For a copy of the Position Description please contact Ella Pietsch - HR Lead at [email protected].

Our head office is in Adelaide, and we have a presence nationwide, with team members currently based across South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, and New South Wales. This opportunity is open to talented professionals to work from their preferred location in Australia, ideally with easy access to a major urban centre, and a willingness to travel.

Part-time and flexible applications are welcomed. Ideally you will already have long-term or permanent rights to work in Australia.

To apply: send us your resume and a cover letter (5 pages total) demonstrating how you meet the key selection criteria of:

Project and Portfolio Management across the full life cycle

Your experience in both research and industry

Building collaborations and relationships

Delivering outcomes based on genuine problems and delivering impact

Applications due by COB Monday 6th October 2025.

Visit www.waterra.com.au to get to know more about WaterRA.