Director of Research & Innovation, Centre for Disability Studies

Lead research. Build capability. Create meaningful change for people with disability.

The Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) is seeking an exceptional research leader to lead the next phase of its research and innovation program.

This is a distinctive opportunity for an established researcher with a strong track record in intellectual disability research to combine academic leadership with meaningful community and sector impact.

Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Research & Innovation will lead CDS’s research program, mentor and develop its research team, strengthen national and international partnerships, and build the Centre’s capacity to secure major research funding.

Importantly, this is not a traditional academic leadership role. The Director will operate at the intersection of academia, community, practice and policy, ensuring that research translates into better practice, informs policy and delivers meaningful outcomes for people with disability.

The Opportunity

You will lead the further development and implementation of CDS’s Research Strategy, working closely with the CEO, researchers, the Inclusive Practice team and colleagues across the University of Sydney.

Key priorities will include

- Providing strategic leadership for CDS’s research program and strengthening its national and international research profile.
- Identifying and developing innovative research translation and partnership opportunities that extend CDS’s impact and diversify its research funding base.
- Leading major competitive research funding applications, including government, philanthropic, industry, and traditional academic grant schemes.
- Building and maintaining strong partnerships with the University of Sydney, research institutes, government and disability sector organisations.
- Developing capability in intellectual disability research through mentoring and supervision of researchers and early-career academics.




- Strengthening CDS’s position as a leader in inclusive and participatory research.
- Ensuring lived experience expertise is meaningfully embedded across the research program.
- Leading knowledge translation so that research influences policy, practice and service delivery, as well as academic outputs.
- Working collaboratively with the Centre for Disability Research and Policy (CDRP) and across the University of Sydney to develop current research opportunities and partnerships.
- Contributing to CDS’s strategic planning and working with the CEO and Board to monitor research priorities, impact and performance.

About You You will be an established research leader with a strong academic record and demonstrated expertise in intellectual disability research.

You will bring

- A PhD in health sciences, disability studies or a related discipline.
- At least five years’ research leadership experience, with a strong record of competitive research funding and grant development.
- A substantial publication record across peer-reviewed research and research, policy or technical outputs.
- Experience leading and mentoring researchers, students and/or early-career academics.
- Experience collaborating with universities, research institutes and external partners.
- A strong understanding of research ethics, including university Human Research Ethics Committee processes.
- Experience across a range of research methodologies, including qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods and participatory approaches.
- Demonstrated experience working with people with intellectual disability and a commitment to co-design,



inclusive research and accessible practice.
- Experience translating research into policy, practice or other forms of community impact.
- Highly developed communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with academic and non-academic audiences.

Above all, you will be someone who can balance academic rigour with real-world impact and who understands that excellent disability research is strengthened by genuine partnership with people with lived experience. Why CDS?

The Centre for Disability Studies is a distinctive not-for-profit research centre committed to improving the lives of people with disability through research, education, practice and system change.

CDS provides an opportunity to work across the boundaries of research and practice, with the ability to influence the disability sector well beyond traditional academic outputs.

For a research leader who wants to build research capability, develop the next generation of researchers and see their work translated into better policy, better practice and better outcomes for people with disability, this is an opportunity to make a significant contribution.

The Appointment The Director of Research & Innovation will be appointed by the Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) and will be a member of the CDS leadership team.

The successful candidate will also be offered an adjunct academic appointment with the University of Sydney, at a level commensurate with their academic standing, potentially at Associate Professor or Professor level (Level D / Level E), subject to University requirements.

The CDS appointment is full-time and based at the University of Sydney’s Camperdown campus, with hybrid working arrangements.

Confidential Enquiries For a confidential discussion about this opportunity and to receive the Candidate Information Pack, please contact Pam Lubrainschik, Managing Consultant on: 0452 295 0888 or [email protected].

📌 Director, Research & Innovation (Forest Lodge)
🏢 Centre for Disability Studies
📍 Forest Lodge