Professor of Psychology and Discipline Lead
- School of Health | Sunshine Coast Campus, Sippy Downs
- Academic Level E, $217,414, plus 17% superannuation
- Full-time, ongoing opportunity (Discipline Lead component to be offered as fixed-term secondment)
The Opportunity
This is a pivotal leadership opportunity for an accomplished academic to shape and grow the Psychology discipline at UniSC. As a senior member of the School of Health, you will lead a team of passionate educators and researchers committed to advancing psychology knowledge and improving health outcomes in our communities and beyond.
Located on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, this role places you at the heart of a university that is deeply connected to its region and focused on making a meaningful impact - locally and globally - through excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. You'll play a key role in embedding research into teaching, driving industry engagement, and developing innovative programs that respond to current and emerging healthcare challenges.
Psychology at UniSC
The Psychology discipline is one of nine within the newly established School of Health at the University of the Sunshine Coast. With a strong foundation in both undergraduate and postgraduate education, the discipline offers programs spanning from the Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) to the Master of Psychology (Clinical), and through to research degrees including the Master of Research and PhD.
UniSC Psychology is recognised for its impactful and diverse research strengths, which include cognitive and health psychology, neuropsychology, chronic pain, climate change in the Pacific, dementia, and organisational psychology. The team is actively engaged in cross-disciplinary research, including through the Manna Institute, the Healthy Ageing Research Cluster, and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Cluster, and maintains strong ties with the Thompson Institute and the PTSD Research Centre.
As UniSC expands its online learning offerings, the Psychology discipline is embracing new technologies, including AI, augmented reality and robotics, to enhance teaching and prepare students for the future of work in the health sector.
You will
- Provide strategic academic leadership to guide the development and delivery of contemporary, high-quality psychology programs.
- Drive a strong research agenda, including leading and contributing to externally funded research projects.
- Cultivate meaningful partnerships with industry, government and community stakeholders.
- Mentor and support staff across all academic career stages to build research capability and teaching excellence.
- Contribute to the wider leadership of the School of Health, supporting strategic initiatives and interdisciplinary collaboration.
About you
You are a forward-thinking academic with a passion for innovation in both research and teaching. Your leadership style is collaborative and inclusive, with a focus on building capability and fostering a positive culture of academic excellence.
You bring an established research profile in Psychology, along with demonstrated success in leading teams, shaping curriculum, and engaging external partners to create lasting impact. Your ability to translate vision into action makes you an ideal fit for this transformative role.
You will possess:
- A doctoral qualification in a relevant field within Psychology.
- A nationally or internationally recognised research track record, including success in securing competitive research funding.
- Demonstrated excellence in curriculum design and delivery at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
- Strong leadership experience, with a proven ability to build and support high-performing academic teams.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across disciplines and with external partners.
- A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in teaching, research, and leadership practices.
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.
Position Description: 
493307_Professor of Psychology and Discipline Lead.pdf
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.
Applications for this position close midnight, Sunday 27 July 2025.
Your completed application must include:
- Academic CV
- 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
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
Contact
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
UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au
For more detail on the role, the School of Health, the Psychology discipline and much more, please visit our Candidate information page.
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. 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. At UniSC you will have the opportunity to contribute to the educational landscape for future generations.
We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging continuous professional development and providing resources to enhance your career. 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.
