Plants for Space-Communications Officer

HEO5 ($80,118-$89,085) | 0.6 FTE

12 months Fixed-term Contract

Help contribute to cutting-edge sustainability research for space and Earth

We’re seeking a Communication Officer to join the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S)—a global initiative revolutionising how we grow food and use plants in challenging environments.

 

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S) is a world-leading research initiative led by the University of Adelaide. With more than $90 million in funding and over 35 global partners, P4S is revolutionising how we grow plants in extreme environments—from deep space to Earth’s most challenging conditions. Through cutting-edge research in crop design, biomanufacturing, and sustainable agriculture, P4S is developing high-efficiency, zero-waste plant systems to support long-duration space missions and future food systems on Earth. As part of this pioneering Centre, you’ll be contributing to transformative science with real-world and interplanetary impact.

 

The Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic Communications Officer to join the P4S team. Reporting to the Communications Manager, you will be responsible for creating, managing, and coordinating content across various platforms to promote the Centre’s ground-breaking research and impact.

You will play a pivotal role in enhancing P4S's visibility, fostering collaboration among international partners, and engaging diverse audiences through compelling media, social channels, website management, and event support.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Create and maintain engaging media content tailored to multiple audiences across university and industry platforms.
• Manage and update the P4S website, ensuring content is relevant and aligned with strategic communications goals.
• Oversee social media channels with regular, platform-appropriate posts to highlight research, partnerships, and events.
• Coordinate electronic direct messaging (EDM) campaigns and maintain contact databases.
• Support event promotion, organization, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Facilitate effective communication among P4S Nodes and partners to ensure consistent messaging.

 

About You

You are a skilled communicator with a passion for translating complex research into clear, engaging stories that resonate with diverse audiences. You bring proven experience in media content creation, social media management, and website coordination, and you thrive in a collaborative environment involving multiple stakeholders from academia, industry, and government.

Highly organised and proactive, you manage competing priorities with ease and meet deadlines consistently. Your ability to tailor messages across different platforms — whether for scientists, industry partners, or the general public — helps build strong communities and promote impactful research outcomes.

You are enthusiastic about science and innovation, ideally with some experience in science communication or related sectors. Most importantly, you share our commitment to integrity, respect, collegiality, and excellence, and you are motivated to contribute to a cutting-edge global project that combines sustainability and space exploration.

 

Selection Criteria

1. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences.
2. Experience in media content creation, website management, or professional communication roles.
3. Ability to engage and coordinate with multiple stakeholders, including industry, government and academia.
4. Proficiency in social media management, particularly LinkedIn, but also Instagram and Facebook are desirable.
5. Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
6. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a project team.
7. Demonstrated ability to promote the organisational values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery, and a commitment to positively comply with the associated behaviour expectations.
   
   

 Desirable

8. Experience in science communication and/or P4S target industry sectors.
9. Experience in event coordination or public relations within a research or industry setting.

 

 

Qualification/s:

A university degree in Science, Science Communication, Media, Public Relations, or a related field, OR

equivalent relevant work experience in professional communication roles.

 

The path to Adelaide University

We are on an exciting path to Adelaide University as we prepare to open our doors in January 2026. Adelaide University will combine the strengths of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, and we are dedicated to creating an accessible and future-focused educational powerhouse that fosters economic and social wellbeing through ground-breaking research and innovative teaching. You can learn more about Adelaide University HERE and more information will be provided throughout the recruitment process.

 
Enjoy an outstanding career environment

We offer a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaboration - offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.

It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature - not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour - provides a constant source of inspiration.

Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework  and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.

We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life.

In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include: salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/jobs

 

Your faculty's broader role

The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The Faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance. 

Learn more at: set.adelaide.edu.au

 

How to Apply

Please ensure you submit a resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description or selection criteria document.

***Applications close 11:55pm, Tuesday 3rd June 2025***

The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

Dr. Lieke Van Der Hulst

Plants for Space SA Engagement Officer
E: lieke.vanderhulst@adelaide.edu.au