Some 21 “predominantly executive level” positions could go as the results of a review of the Australian Research Council, which was announced on the Council’s website Friday, and distributed by an external media release provider, Saturday.
CEO Ute Roessner stated staff changes are needed, “to ensure we have the right people at the right level to support early-stage research to the benefit of all Australians.” Professor Roessner’s announcement included details on staff consultations over six weeks; however Canberra social media is alive with allegations that management sought to conduct the process in secret.
The cuts likely to come appear intended to support the proposed restructure of the National Competitive Grants Program, to end the distinction between basic and applied research for funding and increase “large-scale research of national and international scale and importance for Australia or aligned with a government priority.”
More support for early stage research with intended applied outcomes would also bring the ARC into line with the Department of Education’s Australia’s Economic Accelerator, which includes project support by R&D experts.
The ARC proposes abolishing 21 positions and creating 16 new ones. “The ARC expects staff would have an opportunity to consider a voluntary redundancy, apply for an EOI for a new or vacant role, or they may be matched to a new role.”