Fixed Term (4 years), Full-Time Professor Classification Level E Base salary from ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR/ PROFESSOR LEVEL E + 17% superannuation About the position La Trobe University is seeking an outstanding research leader to take on the role of Director, The Summer Disability Research Centre, established through a strategic partnership between The Summer Foundation and the School of Psychology and Public Health at La Trobe University.
This unique position is funded by The Summer Foundation and provides the opportunity to lead a nationally significant program of disability research.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a purpose-driven research centre focused on generating evidence that improves housing, support and living outcomes for people with disability with high support needs.
The Director will provide strategic leadership for the Centre's research agenda, secure competitive and philanthropic funding, build a high-performing, multidisciplinary research team, and ensure that research findings are translated into policy, practice, and systems change.
Working at the intersection of research, policy, innovation and practice, the role draws on The Summer Foundation's extensive sector expertise, lived experience partnerships and national policy influence to generate rigorous evidence that informs policy reform, service innovation and systems change for people with disability with high support needs.
The Director will foster a collaborative, inclusive research culture grounded in co-design and participatory research, ensuring people with lived experience of disability are central to the Centre's work.
Reporting to the Dean,



School of Psychology and Public Health, the role contributes to the School's research strategy, performance and external engagement at a national and international level.
Skills and Experience To be considered for this position, you will have: A PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline such as psychology, public health, social sciences, rehabilitation or disability studies A distinguished record of research achievement at Associate Professor/Professor level or equivalent , including high-impact publications, competitive research funding and demonstrated research impact A strong track record of translating research into policy, practice or systems change, particularly within the disability, housing or health sectors Demonstrated experience providing strategic leadership to a research centre or large research program, including staff leadership and performance management Proven success in building and sustaining cooperative partnerships with government agencies, disability organisations, service providers and people with lived experience A deep understanding of issues affecting people with disability and a commitment to inclusive, accessible and ethical research practices Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills Capacity to contribute to research supervision, HDR supervision and research capability development.
A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, including creating respectful and accessible working environments Please refer to the Position Description for other duties, skills and experience required for this position.

📌 Director, Summer Disability Research Centre (Bendigo)
🏢 La Trobe University
📍 Bendigo