Professor or Associate Professor and Lead in First Nations Health

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For appointment at Level D (Associate Professor):

At the University of the Sunshine Coast, an Associate Professor demonstrates national standing in at least one of the key areas of research, teaching or engagement, with emerging international recognition.

They demonstrate a strong and sustained record of achievement across the academic portfolio, including:

• Research leadership and impact, evidenced by success in securing external competitive research funding; leadership of significant research projects; supervision of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates; contribution to disciplinary development and impact at a national level; peer-recognised research outputs of quality and significance. 
• Leadership in learning and teaching, evidenced by high-quality teaching practice and student engagement outcomes; leadership in curriculum design and development; contribution to improvement of teaching practice within and beyond the University; ability to influence and enhance student learning outcomes. 
• Engagement and partnerships, evidenced by development and maintenance of productive partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, industry, government and other stakeholders; contribution to outcomes that benefit the University, community and/or region; engagement that demonstrates growing external reach and impact. 
• Academic leadership and service, evidenced by contribution to School and University governance and development; leadership in building academic capability and capacity; contribution to a positive, collegial and high-performing academic culture.

For appointment at Level E (Professor):

At the University of the Sunshine Coast, a Professor demonstrates international leadership and is recognised as an eminent authority in their discipline, with a sustained record of high-impact contribution nationally and internationally.

They demonstrate a distinguished and sustained record of achievement across the academic portfolio, including:

• Research leadership and global impact, evidenced by consistent success in securing significant external competitive research funding; leadership of major research programs; supervision of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates and mentoring across academic career stages; international recognition for disciplinary leadership and impact; research outputs recognised as leading in the field. 
• Strategic leadership in learning and teaching, evidenced by leadership of curriculum innovation and program development; strategic influence on teaching and learning practice within and beyond the University; sustained recognition for excellence in teaching and/or learning scholarship; ability to shape student learning outcomes at scale. 
• Engagement and partnerships, evidenced by leadership of strategic partnerships at regional, national and international levels; development of collaborations that deliver significant academic, social, cultural and/or economic impact; external recognition and influence within relevant sectors and disciplines. 
• Institutional leadership and contribution, evidenced by high-level contributions to governance, strategy and academic development; leadership in building institutional capability and academic culture; sustained contribution to excellence across research, teaching and engagement.

All staff are expected to contribute to the achievement of the University’s strategic goals and priorities and provide service to the University commensurate with their level of appointment and the opportunities available to them.

Duties

Specific accountabilities for this role include:

1. Provide strategic leadership for the development, delivery, evaluation and continuous improvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content across the UniSC medical curriculum, ensuring alignment with the UniSC Curriculum Design Framework and the Indigenous Capability pillar, and fostering culturally safe, responsive and inclusive approaches to teaching, learning and assessment.
2. Build and sustain respectful relationships, collaborations and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Elders, organisations, health service partners and other key stakeholders to inform and support the development, delivery and ongoing evaluation of the UniSC medical program.
3. In partnership with internal and external stakeholders, support culturally responsive recruitment, admissions, retention, wellbeing, success and graduation outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students, while contributing to pathways that strengthen future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals and academics.
4. Provide leadership, mentoring and professional support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academic staff, and contribute to the development of cultural capability, understanding and culturally responsive practice among colleagues across the School of Health and the University.
5. Make a significant contribution to teaching, curriculum delivery, educational leadership, and research and scholarship in First Nations health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pedagogies, medical education and culturally responsive practice, including student supervision and mentoring, ideally at a national level.
6. Provide expert advice and strategic leadership to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, perspectives and culturally responsive practices across curriculum, accreditation, research, partnerships and University initiatives, contributing to improved Indigenous student, staff and workforce outcomes.
7. Contribute to a positive and safe work environment for yourself and others by modelling and promoting conduct that is culturally capable, inclusive, respectful and ethical, and by acting as an active bystander, speaking up and taking appropriate action when behaviours do not align with these values.
8. In accordance with UniSC’s Staff Code of Conduct – Governing Policy, all staff are expected to display professional behaviour, communicate respectfully, and perform their duties responsibly.
9. Other duties within the range of skills normally associated with this classification, including those associated with an evolving research, teaching, learning and professional environment, as required.

In addition to the above duties, expectations at each academic level are as follows:

At Level D (Associate Professor):

The position is expected to demonstrate established academic leadership with a strong national profile and emerging international recognition in the relevant discipline. This includes maintaining an active and impactful program of research and/or scholarship, characterised by the development of a clear research agenda, leadership and contribution to research teams, and success in securing competitive funding, particularly from external sources. The incumbent will disseminate research outcomes through high-quality publications and engagement with both academic and broader audiences, supervise Higher Degree by Research candidates, and mentor Early Career Researchers and academics.

In teaching and learning, the role will contribute to the design, delivery, evaluation and continuous improvement of curriculum and pedagogy, including the effective use of technologies and innovative practices that enhance student learning outcomes. The incumbent will support student success through high-quality teaching, assessment and feedback, and contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning.

The position will build and sustain strategic partnerships with industry, community and academic stakeholders, and contribute to internal service and governance aligned with the University’s strategic priorities. The incumbent is expected to provide sound academic leadership, contributing to a positive, inclusive and high-performing academic environment.

At Level E (Professor):

The position is expected to demonstrate international leadership and a sustained, high-impact reputation in the relevant discipline. This includes leading major research and/or scholarship programs that shape the direction of the field, with a consistent and successful track record in securing significant competitive funding, particularly from external sources. The incumbent will produce and disseminate influential research outputs, supervise Higher Degree by Research candidates, and provide leadership in mentoring across career stages, building research capability at scale.

In teaching and learning, the role will lead the strategic direction, design and innovation of curriculum and pedagogy, driving excellence and influencing practice within and beyond the University. The incumbent will lead initiatives that enhance learning and teaching quality, including the integration of emerging technologies and evidence-based approaches, and contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning at a national and international level.

The position will establish and lead strategic partnerships across regional, national and international contexts, and play a significant role in institutional leadership and governance. The incumbent is expected to make sustained and significant contributions to shaping a culturally capable, inclusive and high-performing academic environment, and to advancing the University’s strategic objectives.

Selection Criteria

Applicants need to demonstrate they meet the following knowledge, skills and experience:

1. Completion of a medical qualification registrable with AHPRA and Fellowship of a relevant professional body, or a doctoral qualification in a relevant field (or working towards PhD completion) or equivalent combination of educational, clinical, professional and/or cultural experience in medicine and/or medical education.
2. Teaching and Learning Leadership. Demonstrated experience and achievement in the design, development and delivery of First Nations health curriculum and assessment, incorporating First Nations knowledges, perspectives, experiences, and Cultural Safety. Proven ability to lead culturally appropriate and culturally safe teaching, learning and support practices, and to engage effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and communities.
   · Level D: Proven ability to lead and contribute to curriculum innovation and teaching development processes, with evidence of impact within the School and/or University, and recognition for teaching excellence. 
   · Level E: Demonstrated strategic leadership in teaching and learning, driving innovation and influencing practice at institutional and sector levels, with sustained recognition for excellence and impact.
3. Research and/or Scholarship. Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain a clear and coherent program of research and/or scholarship, including high-quality outputs, external recognition, and supervision of Higher Degree by Research candidates.
   · Level D: Strong track record of active and sustained research engagement, with evidence of impact on the discipline at a national level, success in securing competitive funding, and mentoring of Early Career Researchers. 
   · Level E: Sustained and distinguished record of high-impact research with clear and formative influence on the discipline nationally and internationally, consistent success in securing significant competitive funding, and leadership in mentoring across career stages.
4. Engagement and Partnerships. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain respectful, reciprocal and culturally responsive relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and with industry, government and academic stakeholders. Proven capacity to work collaboratively, foster trust and shared understanding, and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders to support meaningful and mutually beneficial outcomes.
   · Level D: Strong record of developing and maintaining effective partnerships that support teaching, research and student outcomes at regional and national levels. 
   · Level E: Sustained leadership in strategic partnerships at regional, national and international levels, delivering significant outcomes and benefits for the University and community.
5. Academic Leadership, Service and Administration. Demonstrated academic leadership and contribution to institutional service, governance and administrative functions, including the ability to plan, prioritise and manage competing demands. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development and academic leadership appropriate to their level of appointment.
   · Level D: Significant contributions to academic leadership, service and administration, including leadership of programs or initiatives and mentoring of staff.
   · Level E: High-level strategic leadership and sustained contributions to institutional development, governance and capacity-building, with broad influence across the University
6. Demonstrated commitment to improving the recruitment, retention, success, wellbeing and graduate outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, including through student support, mentoring, advocacy and pathways into professional practice.
7. Excellent interpersonal, consultation, negotiation, communication and digital literacy skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and work collaboratively across organisational and community contexts. Demonstrated professionalism, including the capacity to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and contribute to a culturally capable, inclusive and respectful workplace.
   Desirable 
8. Postgraduate qualifications in a health, education or a related discipline.
9. Demonstrated experience contributing to institution-wide initiatives that embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, pedagogies and culturally responsive practices across curriculum, teaching, learning and staff capability development, including initiatives that support Indigenous employment pathways and outcomes.

Recruitment process

How to apply

Your completed application must include a resume, cover letter, and a response to selection criteria. Noting that within the application form, we will request a statement addressing each of the selection criteria contained within the position description.

Contact 

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Professor Tony Perkins, Dean, School of Health
Telephone: 07 5456 5093
Email: DeanSH@usc.edu.au 

or

Peter Westwood, Senior Program Development Manager, Medicine
Telephone: 0409 586 617
Email: pwestwood@usc.edu.au 

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

Identified position and support

The University of the Sunshine Coast considers that being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) and the filling of this position constitutes a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).

The position is therefore only open to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

UniSC is committed to creating a culturally safe recruitment process. If you would like a confidential conversation about the role or support during the application process, please contact Kristie Richardson, Talent Acquisition Manager at khusk@usc.edu.au or +61 0418 884 610.

Don't meet every requirement? At UniSC, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our position description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.