In 1990, Harding returned to the University of Sydney, where she taught as a professor of chemistry until 2005. In 2005, Harding was appointed the first Dean of Graduate Research at the
University of New South Wales (UNSW), a position she held until 2009. In 2008, she was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at UNSW. In June 2012, Harding became Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at ANU. Harding is a Director on the Boards of
ANU Enterprise, Australian Scientific Instruments,
National Computational Infrastructure National Facility (Australia) and an alternate Director on the Board of ANU Connect Ventures. She has been a director on the Boards of the UNSW Foundation and
Neuroscience Research Australia, and an alternate Director on the Board of Bionic Vision Australia. Harding has been a member of the
Australian Research Council (ARC) College of Experts and has served as Chair of the ARC International Linkage and ARC Scrutiny Committees ==Publications and awards==