Careers at UniSC

Casual Academic -  Research Centres & Institutes 

UniSC is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified individuals for casual academic opportunities across our Research Centres and Institutes.

Our Research Centres and Institutes bring together exceptional minds to tackle pressing challenges – from mental health and advancing forest science to human factors, bioinnovation, Indigenous and transcultural knowledge and bringing evidence-based solutions to Pacific communities. At UniSC, we champion research that makes a genuine difference – to people, communities, and the planet.

This talent pool offers you the chance to contribute to our vibrant research community and play a key role in the translation of research, nationally and internationally.  As a casual academic working in a UniSC Research Centre/Institute, you’ll join a team committed to impact-led education, meaningful collaboration, and continuous improvement. Your expertise will help provide evidence based-solutions and foster learning environments that are innovative, inclusive, and research-informed.

Primary Objectives:

1. Be an effective researcher and provide leadership in research and research training by:

• • Purposefully developing focused expertise in a relevant discipline/field;
  • Developing a research agenda and participating in a research team(s);
  • Framing research problems and researchable hypotheses;
  • Designing and conducting research projects and writing research reports;
  • Communicating research outcomes to both expert and lay audiences through publishing;
  • Successfully applying for research grants, particularly external competitive grants;
  • Successfully supervising candidates for higher degrees by research; and
  • Contributing to the development and maintenance of a positive academic environment that is conducive to high levels of engagement and standards of performance in research.

2. Maintain substantial involvement in professional/community service as a scholarly practice through which discipline knowledge and skills are applied to consequential problems in the world beyond the University. Service can be both in a remunerated capacity as consultancy, or without remuneration and can include:

• • Editing journals and being a member of review panels;
  • Creating opportunities for discussion of intellectual, social, economic and cultural issues of importance to the well-being of the community;
  • Making professional commentary on issues in the general media and within the wider community which involves bringing specialist expertise to bear on issues of general public interest in a range of fora; and

3. Undertaking major consulting projects through the University. Provide service to the University by contributing to the definition and achievement of its goals and enable it to be a healthy organisation and can include:

• • Developing and maintaining strategic and productive partnerships, connections and relationships with people, groups and organisations at local, national and international levels; and
  • Communicating appropriately and effectively with students, other staff and individuals outside the University

Qualifications and Skills:

•  Completion of a relevant doctoral qualification and experience as a researcher

Quality and trajectory of the applicant’s track record relative to opportunity:

• Refereed publications and other acknowledged research outputs that are discipline specific. Applicants must clearly identify their contribution as distinct from other contributors and provide evidence of the quality of the output (impact factor, citations etc);
• External funding (internal and external) awarded over the last five years. In the case of research fellowship applicants, internal grants will also be considered as part of the assessment process. Applicants must clearly identify their contribution as distinct from other contributors;
• Esteem measures (key note addresses or invitations to present, prizes and awards, committee/board membership etc);
• Technology transfer activities;
• Outreach activities (including engagement with external partners); and
• Supervision of research students. In the case of all applicants, supervision of higher degree research students and number of completions will also be taken into consideration.

UniSC is home to a diverse range of research centres including:

• Thompson Institute – pioneering research in mental health and neuroscience
• Forest Research Institute – advancing forest science and sustainability
• Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems – shaping safer, more resilient systems
• Centre for Bioinnovation – bridging biology, technology, and innovation
• Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research – working in partnership with Pacific communities
• Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre – prioritising research led by and for Indigenous and transcultural communities

We welcome applications from individuals with experience or research interests aligned with any of our Research Centres or Institutes. Join us in sharing knowledge, shaping minds, and strengthening communities through world-class teaching and research.

Working towards a better tomorrow

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We’re not the biggest university. But we’re growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.

We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland.

Teaching excellence is at the heart of what we do, and our commitment to sustainability is integrated into our teaching, research, and daily operations. According to the 2023-24 Good Universities Guide we are Australia's highest rated public university for postgraduate teaching quality, skills development and student support and Australia's number one public university for overall postgraduate student experience. Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 26 research fields ranked at or above world standard according to the Excellence in Research for Australia Rankings. In 2023 we recorded the biggest improvement in Australia for research quality, moving up more than 331 places in the world rank.

At UniSC you will have the opportunity to shape the educational landscape and inspire the minds of future generations. We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging continuous professional development and providing resources to enhance your teaching and research endeavours.

We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve our local and global challenges.

Culture & Benefits:

• Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
• Modern teaching & research facilities.
• Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
• We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
• EAP & discounted private health.

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc-careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-the-sunshine-coast/life

Please note: To maintain currency of this register, applicants will be notified via email when the pool will be re-advertised, with a link to re-apply if you wish to be considered for future opportunities.