Careers at UniSC

• School of Health, Sunshine Coast Campus, Sippy Downs
• Academic Level E, $224,480 p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation
• Full-time, Ongoing appointment (Discipline Leadership component to be offered as 3-year fixed-term secondment)

The Opportunity

The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) is seeking an internationally recognised midwifery scholar and leader to join the School of Health as Professor of Midwifery and Discipline Lead. This is a rare opportunity to shape the direction of midwifery education and research while leading a talented academic community committed to improving outcomes for women, babies and families.

In this influential role, you will combine academic leadership with people and discipline leadership, guiding the strategic development of midwifery at UniSC while contributing to the global advancement of the profession.

You will provide whole-of-discipline leadership across research, learning and teaching, and external engagement. You will lead and mentor a team of academic staff, foster a high-performing and collegial culture, and drive the continued development of midwifery programs that produce outstanding graduates ready to meet the evolving needs of healthcare systems and communities.

Working closely with the Dean and senior leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening the discipline’s academic profile, research performance and national standing, while ensuring the continued quality, relevance and accreditation of UniSC’s midwifery programs.

Beyond your personal academic contribution, you will play a critical role in developing people and capability within the discipline. As Discipline Lead, you will guide academic staff across career stages, supporting research productivity, teaching excellence and professional development.

The position is primarily based at UniSC’s Sunshine Coast campus and may require work across campuses during the academic year.

For more information on the School of Health, please visit us online: https://www.unisc.edu.au/about/structure/schools/school-of-health

You will:

• Lead an internationally recognised research program that advances knowledge and delivers meaningful impact in midwifery and maternal health.
• Secure competitive research funding and build collaborative research teams and partnerships nationally and internationally.
• Provide scholarly leadership in learning and teaching, driving innovation in curriculum design and student engagement.
• Supervise and mentor Higher Degree by Research candidates, developing the next generation of midwifery researchers.
• Represent UniSC and the discipline through professional networks, policy engagement and leadership within the broader midwifery community.

About you:

You are an internationally respected midwifery scholar and academic leader with the vision and credibility to shape the future of the discipline. Your research is recognised for its quality, impact and contribution to advancing midwifery practice and policy, supported by a strong track record of competitive funding, influential publications and the successful supervision of higher degree researchers. You are committed to excellence in learning and teaching and bring the leadership required to drive innovation in curriculum and educational practice, ensuring graduates are well prepared to meet the evolving needs of women, families and healthcare systems.

Equally important, you are a collaborative and strategic leader who is motivated by the opportunity to build and lead a high-performing academic discipline. You bring experience guiding academic teams, mentoring colleagues across career stages and fostering a culture of research excellence, teaching quality and professional engagement. Well connected across the profession and the broader health sector, you build strong partnerships that strengthen the discipline, enhance student learning and translate scholarship into meaningful impact for communities.

You will demonstrate:

• Registration as a Midwife with AHPRA and a doctoral qualification in midwifery or a related field
• International recognition and influence in midwifery research and scholarship
• A strong record of competitive research funding, high-quality publications and HDR supervision
• Experience leading academic teams or disciplines within a university environment
• A commitment to developing people, building research capability and fostering a positive academic culture
• Experience with or understanding of ANMAC accreditation processes for midwifery programs
• The ability to build strategic partnerships across healthcare, research and professional communities

How to apply

All applications must be lodged through the Careers at UniSC website.

Applications for this position close midnight, 13 April 2026.

Position description:  494182_position description_Prof of Midwifery and DL.pdf

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. You must respond to this within the application form for this job.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team.

If you have any questions about the position or for a confidential discussion, please contact:

Professor Tony Perkins, Dean, School of Health

Email: deanSH@usc.edu.au

or

Kristie Husk, Talent Acquisition Manager

Email: khusk@usc.edu.au Tel: +61 418 884 610

Candidates may be requested to undergo psychometric testing and give permission for verification of their tertiary qualifications.

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: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

Choose one of the below if the vacancy is / isn’t open to international candidates:

UniSC is committed to attracting top talent from around the world and is pleased to offer sponsorship opportunities for international candidates.

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au

Discover UniSC

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 and a growing footprint in major capital cities.

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 latest Good Universities Guide, UniSC has five‑star ratings in key areas including teaching quality, overall educational experience, learning resources, skills development, social equity, and student support, ranking us among the top public universities nationally for student satisfaction.

Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 13 fields ranked well above world standard in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) rankings. Globally, UniSC is now placed in the top 501–600 institutions in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and ranks first in Queensland in sustainability impact, reflecting the quality, relevance, and societal impact of our work.

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.

Our 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.
• Flexible work arrangements & generous leave options.
• Salary packing options + 17% Super.
• EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.