This paper considers the profile of research administration, based on a survey of 36 Australian universities. The findings identify a group that is typically female, older and university qualified. Males tend to be more likely than females to have a research higher degree, earn a significantly higher salary and move up the salary scale at a faster rate. Of the 194 respondents more than half reported previous research experience with just under one third having previously been employed as an academic. Almost two thirds had worked in research services for five or fewer years and the majority reported they had held their current position for five or fewer years. (Contains 3 tables and 5 figures.)