Director, Australian Centre For Robotics

University of Sydney; Victoria; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Sydney seeks a Director for the Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR), a global leader in robotics and autonomous systems. This 5-year fixed-term appointment offers strategic, academic, and operational leadership to keep ACFR at the forefront of research and impact.

Appointed at senior academic level, the Director will guide strategic direction, research performance, and engagement with industry, government, and international partners, with potential for a continuing appointment

Qualifications

• Hold a PhD or equivalent terminal qualification in robotics, autonomous systems or a closely related field.
• Demonstrate excellence in robotics and autonomous systems through scholarly outputs, major engineering achievements, translational impact, or commercial innovation.
• Be recognised internationally as a leading authority in robotics or related domains, evidenced through significant achievements, honours, or leadership roles.
• Demonstrate a strong track record of industry engagement, including partnerships with government, industry, and professional associations.
• Possess strong planning and organisational capabilities, with the ability to deliver multiple concurrent strategic initiatives.
• Show excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the capacity to influence and inspire at senior levels.
• Have proven people leadership experience, including mentoring, performance management, and building high‑performing teams.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture, with a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Contribute to teaching, supervision, mentoring, or professional training in line with the substantive academic appointment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Australian Centre for Robotics with strategic direction, research performance, financial sustainability, and industry/government/international engagement.
• Represent ACFR to national and global partners, strengthening its reputation as Australia’s leading robotics research hub.
• Align ACFR’s strategy with university priorities in robotics, AI, and intelligent systems.
• Oversee teaching, supervision, mentoring, or professional training aligned with the academic appointment.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Robotics expertise

Teaching & mentoring

Education

PhD in robotics or related field

Job description

Lead one of Australia’s premier robotics centres to shape the future of autonomous systems through world‑class research, innovation, and strategic partnerships.

Five‑year fixed‑term position with an attractive remuneration package, including the possibility of a substantive continuing academic appointment at Level D/E or Professor of Practice depending on candidate profile.

About the opportunity

The Faculty of Engineering seeks to appoint an exceptional academic or industry leader as Director of the Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR). The ACFR is a global leader in robotics, autonomous systems, and intelligent machines, recognised for its pioneering research and real‑world impact across industry and government.

Appointed at an appropriate senior academic level (Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor of Practice), the Director will provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership to ensure ACFR remains at the forefront of robotics research and innovation.

They will lead the Centre’s strategic direction, research performance, financial sustainability, and engagement with industry, government, and international collaborators.

Working closely with the Associate Dean (Research), the Dean, Heads of School, and senior University leaders, the Director will align ACFR’s strategy with institutional priorities in robotics, artificial intelligence, and intelligent systems.

Externally, they will represent ACFR to national and global partners, strengthening its reputation as Australia’s leading robotics research hub.

Exceptional leaders from academia, industry, government, or applied research organisations are encouraged to apply. The substantive academic appointment will be tailored to the successful candidate’s qualifications, experience, and career trajectory. The Director may also contribute to teaching, supervision, mentoring, or professional training in line with their academic level.

About you (Skills, capabilities and experience)

You will be an accomplished academic or industry leader with deep expertise in robotics or autonomous systems and a demonstrated record of excellence in research, translation, or major engineering achievements.

Candidates without a higher education qualification but with exceptional professional achievements and recognised leadership in robotics or autonomous systems may be considered for appointment as Professor of Practice.

• hold a PhD or equivalent terminal qualification in robotics, autonomous systems, or a closely related field
• demonstrate excellence in robotics and autonomous systems through scholarly outputs, major engineering achievements, translational impact, or commercial innovation
• be recognised internationally as a leading authority in robotics or related domains, evidenced through significant achievements, honours, or leadership roles
• demonstrate a strong track record of industry engagement, including partnerships with government, industry, and professional associations
• possess strong planning and organisational capabilities, with the ability to deliver multiple concurrent strategic initiatives
• show excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the capacity to influence and inspire at senior levels
• have proven people leadership experience, including mentoring, performance management, and building high‑performing teams
• foster a collaborative and inclusive culture, with a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• contribute to teaching, supervision, mentoring, or professional training in line with the substantive academic appointment.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Visa sponsorship and relocation assistance will be provided if required.

Term and remuneration

This is a Full‑time, Fixed term opportunity for 5 years. The successful candidate will be offered a competitive remuneration package commensurate with the responsibilities of the position and the candidate’s relevant experience and qualifications.

Pre‑employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre‑employment or background checks required for the role in the circumstances satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender‑Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender‑based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

The University has engaged executive search firm The Insight Group to assist with this appointment. The Insight Group team will support the Selection Committee to identify the widest possible field of qualified candidates and to assess candidates against the requirements for the role.