There has been ongoing discourse on the idea of a ‘third stream’ within the Australian higher education workforce profile. The need for a third stream correlates with the rise of the ‘blended professional’: staff roles that span the characteristics of professional and academic domains. When applied to research infrastructure, the concept of the ‘blended professional’ has direct relevance. A typical research infrastructure specialist (e.g., microscopist, bioinformatician, software developer, process engineer, etc) not only has to have direct experience in applying deep technical know-how to research projects, but must also possess professional attributes of customer service, business development and general commercial acumen, thus blurring the lines of the ‘professional’ and ‘academic’ roles as stipulated in enterprise agreements of most Australian research institutions. The sector has not resolved the issue of how best to support the career progression of such ‘blended professionals’, which impacts our ability to recruit and retain the best.

After Emeritus Professor Joe Shapter further outlines the context, the session speakers will present institutional responses and further insights garnered from international efforts in designing fit-for-purpose career frameworks for research infrastructure talent. 

Jamie will outline the Research Infrastructure Specialist stream at QUT and his own lived experience as an early adopter of RIS.