Organisation/Company WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY Research Field Medical sciences Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 21 Sep 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country Australia Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Lead Social Work as Head of Discipline, advancing education, research and community partnerships across Western Sydney.

The Opportunity

You will provide academic and people leadership forSocial Work at Western Sydney University , taking the discipline forward while enhancing curriculum quality and maintaining excellence in research. The position combines a continuing academic appointment at Level E with a three-year appointment as Head of Discipline and a 30% leadership workload allocation.

You will guide a discipline distinguished by its social justice and human rights orientation, commitment to decolonising approaches and Indigenous perspectives, and deep engagement with the diverse communities of Greater Western Sydney. You will support undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD education, including programs that attract strong interest from students across Southeast Asia and South Asia.

As an active member of the School Executive, you will help set the direction of the School of Social Sciences and contribute to its mission of impact in, of and with communities. You will strengthen the integration of research, professional practice and community partnerships, including community-led research undertaken through the Centre for Community Research Collaboration.

You will foster interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen relationships with industry, government,



professional bodies and community partners, and pursue competitive research support. You will also mentor academic colleagues, promote educational excellence and build an inclusive discipline culture grounded in diversity, anti-racism and community impact.

What Success Looks Like:

- Provide clear academic and people leadership that strengthens the direction, culture and performance of the Social Work discipline.
- Enhance undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum while assuring contemporary, inclusive and high-quality teaching practices.
- Maintain a strong national and international research profile and lead productive research teams, networks and partnerships.
- Deepen engagement with Greater Western Sydney communities, industry, government and professional bodies.
- Mentor early and mid-career academics and contribute actively to School governance and strategic direction.
- A PhD in a relevant discipline and a recognised professional qualification in social work.
- A distinguished record of leadership in Social Work research, education and postgraduate research supervision.
- Demonstrated people leadership, with the ability to mentor colleagues and foster educational and research excellence in others.
- Proven success in building productive partnerships with communities, industry, government and professional bodies, including attracting significant external funding.
- Highly developed interpersonal and collaboration skills,



together with a global mindset and the ability to lead across diverse academic and community settings.

We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

- Financial benefits:Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
- Health and wellbeing support:Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
- Onsite childcare:Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in ourEqual Opportunity Policy . We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Professor of Social Work and Head of Discipline (New South Wales)
🏢 Western Sydney University
📍 New South Wales