Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology
Job ID: 492581
Applications close Monday 28 October 2024
For enquiries: Professor Mathew Summers, Discipline Lead, Psychology
Work area: School of Health
Location: Sunshine Coast Campus, Sippy Downs
Classification: Academic Level D
Supervisor: Professor Mathew Summers, Discipline Lead Psychology
Employment: Full-time, ongoing appointment
Position description:
Position overview
You will make significant contributions to the teaching effort of the school in both teaching practice and leadership in teaching, including direct supervision to students in clinical psychology. You will also make significant contributions to, and generate outcomes from, developing productive industry and community relationships that benefit the students, community and UniSC.
This position is pivotal in supporting the School of Health to grow student number, particularly in postgraduate studies, increase industry and community linkages, deliver excellence in teaching and strengthen research through increase income and impact to help realise the University’s strategic goals.
About
About the Role
As an Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at UniSC, you will play a pivotal role in advancing the School of Health’s teaching and research excellence. Your contributions will extend beyond the classroom through leadership in clinical psychology training, direct supervision of students, and the development of strong industry and community relationships. You will help shape the future of clinical psychology by driving innovative teaching practices, enhancing research impact, and fostering collaborations that benefit students, the community, and the University. This role supports the University’s strategic goals by growing student numbers, particularly at the postgraduate level, and strengthening UniSC’s influence in health-related fields.
Primary Objectives
- Lead innovative teaching practices and provide direct supervision to clinical psychology students, ensuring excellence in learning and professional preparation.
- Build and maintain productive partnerships with industry and community organisations to enhance student experiences and create impactful outcomes for the university and the broader community.
- Drive research excellence in clinical psychology, contributing to the University’s strategic goals by increasing research income, advancing knowledge, and amplifying the University's influence in health sectors.
Key Accountabilities
Specific accountabilities for this role include:
- Lead the design, development, and continual improvement of curricula and teaching practices, utilising innovative technologies and media to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes across various modes of delivery.
- Foster student success through mentorship, providing timely and constructive feedback, and supporting a variety of learning styles in both face-to-face and online settings.
- Offer strategic leadership in teaching development processes within the university, ensuring the adoption of best practices and fostering a positive learning environment.
- Establish and maintain a clear research agenda, providing leadership to research teams, framing research questions, and leading the design and execution of impactful research projects.
- Consistently secure significant external competitive research grants to support cutting-edge research initiatives and ensure sustained research productivity.
- Communicate research outcomes to both expert and general audiences through publications, presentations, and peer-reviewed exhibitions, maintaining a high profile in the field.
- Mentor Mid- and Early Career Researchers, and provide expert supervision to Higher Degree by Research candidates, promoting research excellence and professional development.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with industry, community, and academic institutions at the local, national, and international levels to enhance research, teaching, and community impact.
- Actively engage with stakeholders inside and outside the university to apply discipline knowledge to real-world challenges, fostering positive social, civic, and professional outcomes.
- Contribute to the maintenance of a positive, inclusive academic environment by modelling leadership, fostering collegial activities, and supporting strategic university priorities.
- Maintain currency in the discipline of psychology and continuously evolve in teaching, learning, and research practices to meet the dynamic needs of the academic and professional environment.
Selection Criteria
Applicants need to demonstrate they meet the following knowledge, skills and experience:
- Completion of an accredited doctoral qualification in Clinical Psychology and comprehensive experience as an academic leader.
- Extensive post-graduate experience in directly providing clinical psychology supervision.
- Full (unconditional) registration as a psychologist (endorsed area of practice: Clinical Psychology) with the Psychology Board of Australia with extensive experience in the provision of child/adolescent therapies or trauma-based therapies.
- Board Approved Supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia and certified as a Registrar Program Principal Supervisor (Clinical Psychology)
- Evidence of involvement in, and impact on, the development of their discipline/field.
- A clear and coherent research program in child/adolescent mental health and therapy or in PTSD and related trauma-based treatments/interventions, with: a strong track record of active, sustained and productive engagement in high quality research; publicly verifiable outputs and outcomes from research; external recognition of research performance and achievement; quality supervision of candidates for Higher Degrees by Research; and impact of research.
- Quality research leadership, for example through: effective mentoring to develop the research capability and capacity of individual and teams of Early Career Researchers and Early Career Academics; leadership contributions that strengthen research capacity, capability and culture; and service on national discipline panels, such ARC panels of experts and other assessment panels.
- Effectiveness as a teacher, which is evidenced by both exemplary teaching practice and leadership in teaching, the ultimate outcome of which is student engagement and success. For example, by leadership and/or implementation of research-led approaches to learning and teaching in the design and development of curricula, or leadership of learning and teaching development processes which improve teaching practice within and/or beyond the University, or formal recognition for excellence in learning and teaching.
- Positive leadership contributions and personal qualities that influence the development and maintenance of a positive academic environment which is conducive to high levels of engagement and standards of achievement for both staff and students.
- Extensive experience and success in academic administrative functions within a University.
- The ability to develop and maintain productive regional, national and international partnerships that benefit students, the community and the University.
- Member/Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists (Desirable).
- Postgraduate qualifications in higher education (Desirable).
- Formal external and/or internal recognition for excellence in learning and teaching, clinical supervision and/or research (Desirable).
Recruitment process
How to apply
Your application should include:
- Resume
- A cover letter not to exceed one page. This statement should outline your skills, knowledge and qualities that will make you a success at UniSC.
- A response to key selection criteria
Closing date
Applications close: Monday 28 October 2024
Contact
If you have any questions about the position or for a confidential discussion, please contact:
Professor Mathew Summers, Discipline Lead, Psychology
Candidates may be requested to undergo psychometric testing and give permission for verification of their tertiary qualifications.
Prospective candidates interested in applying for this position must demonstrate eligibility to work full-time in Australia. Employment sponsorship opportunities are available for qualified candidates.
The environment
The University of the Sunshine Coast is structured around its areas of expertise. UniSC has five schools that cover health, business and creative industries, science, technology and engineering, law and society and education.
In 2023, we introduced new health-focused programs, including those in prosthetics, orthotics, and medical laboratory science. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our offerings further in 2024 and 2025 with the introduction of a physiotherapy program and postgraduate options in dietetics.
At the start of 2024, our most popular areas of study are nursing, education, mental health and psychology, paramedicine and business.
From our first campus in Sippy Downs which began welcoming students in 1996, UniSC has rapidly expanded its campus footprint to now include five award-winning campuses across South East Queensland, from Moreton Bay to the Fraser Coast and UniSC Adelaide.
Our online offering has grown dramatically with almost 7,500 students enrolled in 2023 and 58 programs on offer in 2024. Delivery of learning to students is managed through the schools within a common set of principles.
UniSC has undergone a significant evolution of our learning and teaching to improve the reach and impact of classes. It has offered students access to a range of learning materials that are relevant and more meaningful than the traditional lecture. Examples include podcasts, interviews, simulations, screencasts, recorded discussions and formative quizzes, along with seminars, that are dependent on the learning outcomes of each individual course.
Whilst learning materials are delivered through the University’s learning management system, student engagement is achieved either on-campus in a blended mode – with on-campus tutorials, practicals, seminars and laboratories – or through an online experience.
UniSC is home to some of the most advanced facilities in Australia, including simulated nursing and paramedic labs, advanced engineering technologies, and state-of-the-art creative industries’ facilities.
Our modern laboratories and equipment replicate real life working environments, so students graduate work-ready.
At the forefront of health education and research, the School of Health at UniSC offers an exceptional learning environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology. Our modern laboratories, simulated paramedic suites, and nursing and midwifery wards provide students with hands-on experience that closely mirrors real-world scenarios, preparing them for successful careers in health care.
Under the guidance of our world-class researchers and industry experts, students have the opportunity to pursue their research passions and contribute to impactful discoveries.
Our comprehensive range of study programs covers various fields within the health sector, including biomedical science, midwifery, nursing, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, paramedicine, psychology, public health, and sport and exercise science. Each program is designed with a focus
on international, regional, and community health priorities, ensuring that our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to make meaningful contributions to the health and wellbeing of diverse populations.
As a passionate and dedicated team of health professionals, we are committed to excellence in both education and research. Our research endeavours have been recognised with numerous accolades, including $4 million in awarded funding, 539 publications, and the supervision of 139 Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students. With 62 full-time equivalent (FTE) academic staff members and a portfolio of 55 awarded projects, we continue to push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation in the field of health.
Join us at the School of Health at UniSC as we work together to advance knowledge, promote wellness, and create positive change in our communities. With an enrollment of over 7,000 students, our vibrant academic community is fueled by a shared passion for improving health outcomes and making a difference in the world.
The discipline of Psychology is one of 9 within the newly established School of Health and currently has a range of offerings from Bachelor through to Masters level.
Undergraduate Programs:
- Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
- Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) /Bachelor of Counselling
- Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)/ Bachelor of Criminology and Justice
Postgraduate Programs:
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Master of Psychology (Clinical)
The Psychology Discipline’s Research includes, but is not limited to:
- Cognitive psychology (biased attention and memory)
- Health psychology (body image, diet, exercise, eating disorders, media)
- Chronic pain
- Climate change in the Pacific
- Neuropsychology and Neuroscience
- Dementia
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Healthy Ageing
- Decision making capacity and decision making processes
- Organisational and Sytems Psychology
The Psychology Discipline are core members of the Manna Institute, the UniSC Health Ageing Research Cluster, and the UniSC Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Cluster. The Psychology Discipline is closely aligned with the Thompson Institute and the emerging PTSD Research Centre within the Thompson Institute.
UniSC is rapidly expanding its online complement of courses and programs. The School has already commenced this journey and now needs to embrace the opportunities presented by AI, augmented reality and robotics for integration into learning and teaching to deliver work-ready graduates
UniSC’s Thompson Institute addresses society’s most pressing mental health issues.
We integrate world-class research, clinical services and education under one roof, enabling fast translation of the latest research breakthroughs into cutting-edge mental health practice.
Everything we do at the Institute is underpinned by the latest neuroscience, which uncovers promising new insights into mental health and how it is linked to our brain structure and function.
Our work is focused around four central themes:
- Clinical services provision
- Advocacy for patients and their carers
- Conducting ground breaking translational Research
- Education and teaching
This integrated CARE model — the first of its kind in Australia — puts us at the forefront of research for some of Australia’s most pressing mental health issues, including dementia, suicide prevention, post- traumatic stress disorder and youth mental health.
The 2022-23 federal budget allocated a commitment of $3.9 million over three-years federal funding for our mental health and suicide prevention programs to support the Sunshine Coast community.
The Thompson Institute uses the latest neuroscience to research and deliver community programs and treatment options for Australia’s most pressing mental health issues, including suicide prevention, youth mental health, PTSD and eating disorders.
This is the third investment by the Department of Health into a suite of targeted and ground-breaking Thompson Institute projects, following $5 million in 2017 and a further $2.5 million in 2019.
The funding will be allocated to projects that will increase knowledge of neuro-developmental changes that precede a mental illness, identifying novel treatments of chronic mental health conditions and to deliver community-based prevention activities related to training, education and capacity building.
It will also support the institute’s Alliance for Suicide Prevention — Sunshine Coast, which is working to combat the suicide rate across the Sunshine Coast region.
A better tomorrow starts today
Tomorrow is an exciting place. It’s also a place full of unprecedented global challenges. With future-focused degrees, world-leading sustainability research and 5-star teaching,* we share our knowledge, experience and tools to create a better tomorrow for all.
*Good Universities Guide 2023/24
The Organisation
UniSC’s organisational structure supports its ambitious agenda. Strong portfolios and flat, clear reporting lines facilitate accountability, flexibility and responsiveness.
Key statistics
A young university at the epicentre of progress. We’re a growing, comprehensive university focused on excellent teaching, ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, and producing award-winning alumni.
Our rankings
We’re a growing, comprehensive university focused on excellent teaching, ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, and producing award-winning alumni.
Annual Report
View our achievements, challenges and performance against key indicators in our Annual Report.
Strategic Plan
Our vision is to be Australia’s premier regional university. Our strategic plan outlines how we will achieve this vision. UniSC’s journey has been exceptional in achievement as a community-focused higher education institution.
Locations
UniSC stands as the world's sole university with campuses situated within three interconnected UNESCO biosphere reserves and the UNESCO World Heritage Listed K’gari.
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A great lifestyle in a stunning region
Located on the stunning Sunshine Coast in Queensland, our campuses are situated in one of the most beautiful regions of Australia. With pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and a subtropical climate, the Sunshine Coast is the perfect place to live, work, and play.
Great people and a supportive culture
Our people are the heart of our university, and we're committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and support. We believe that our staff should feel valued, respected, and appreciated for their contributions, and we work hard to create a supportive and engaging workplace environment.
Ambitious growth and development
As a university, we're dedicated to achieving ambitious goals and making a real impact in our community and beyond. We're constantly looking for ways to innovate, grow, and evolve, and we encourage our staff to be a part of this exciting journey.
A purpose-driven institution
We believe in making a positive impact in our community and beyond, and our staff play an integral role in helping us achieve this goal. With a focus on mental health, sustainability, and environmental research, we're committed to making a difference in the world.
The opportunity to make a real impact
At the University of the Sunshine Coast, we believe in giving our staff the opportunity to make a real impact in their roles. Whether it's through cutting-edge research, innovative teaching methods, or community engagement, our staff are empowered to make a difference and create a meaningful legacy.
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