Director La Trobe Health Research Institute

La Trobe; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

La Trobe University invites Expressions of Interest for the role of Director, LHRI, Melbourne. This fixed term leadership position will shape the Institute during its formative phase and drive strategic development, collaboration and external engagement.

The Director will oversee flagship programs, build partnerships with health services, industry and government, and position LHRI for long term impact with a 0.5 FTE, two year appointment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large scale research programs or multi-disciplinary initiatives.
• Experience developing and sustaining relationships with external organisations including health services, government, industry, research institutes or philanthropic partners and translating those relationships into meaningful research opportunities.
• Vision for La Trobe’s Health Research Institute and the first three priorities you would pursue to build momentum, strengthen collaboration and position the Institute for long term success.

Responsibilities

• Lead the establishment and development of LHRI as a catalyst for research growth, collaboration and external engagement across the University.
• Bring together La Trobe’s health research strengths and align them around large, multidisciplinary programs capable of attracting external investment.
• Strengthen relationships with industry, health services, government and other partners and connect these relationships with La Trobe’s research strengths.
• Provide strategic oversight ensuring resources are deployed to catalyse collaborative research, attract funding and accelerate translation and impact.

Job description

Details - Director La Trobe Health Research Institute

Director La Trobe Health Research Institute

Job no: 571177
Work type: Fixed Term
Location: Melbourne (Bundoora)
Categories: Research, Level E - Research Only, Secondment - 12mths to 2 years

EOI Director La Trobe Health Research Institute

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to invite Expressions of Interest for the role of Director, La Trobe Health Research Institute (LHRI).

This is an exciting opportunity to shape one of the University’s flagship initiatives and help establish La Trobe’s new Health Research Institute as an enabling platform that advances world class research and training to deliver consumer centred solutions that improve health outcomes, system performance and equity across the lifespan.

LHRI has been established to bring together researchers across disciplines, Schools Research Centres and Institutes to create a more ambitious, connected and externally engaged health research ecosystem. The Institute will provide a focal point for collaboration, partnership development and strategic investment, positioning La Trobe to address complex health challenges, workforce development needs and system improvements capable of delivering significant health, social and economic impact.

The Director will provide leadership during the Institute’s formative phase, working closely with researchers, University leadership, professional teams, external partners and investors to establish a strong platform for long term success.

The appointment will be for two years at 0.5 FTE.

About the role

The Director will lead the establishment and development of LHRI as a catalyst for research growth, collaboration and external engagement across the University.

A key focus of the role will be to bring together La Trobe’s considerable health research strengths and align them around large, multidisciplinary programs capable of attracting significant external investment, strengthening strategic partnerships and delivering real world impact.

The role will have a strong outward facing focus strengthening relationships with industry, health services, government and other partners and connecting these relationships with La Trobe’s research strengths. The Director will provide strategic oversight ensuring allocated resources are deployed to catalyse collaborative research, attract competitive external funding, build strategic partnerships, and accelerate research translation and impact in alignment with the University's strategic priorities.

Reporting to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation and working in partnership with the R&I senior leadership team, Research Centre Directors, PVCs Health Innovation, Deans, School leadership teams and external partners, the Director will work across the four flagship areas and position these programs of work for significant external investment and long-term impact.

During the first two years, key priorities will include:

• establishing and embedding the Institute’s strategic direction, operating model and flagship programs;
• building connected and collaborative community of health researchers across the University;
• identifying, shaping and supporting a pipeline of major, multidisciplinary research initiatives and funding opportunities;
• strengthening strategic relationships with health services, research institutes, government, industry and philanthropic partners;
• positioning La Trobe as a valued partner within the broader Victorian and national health research ecosystem;
• supporting the development of major programs of work that align La Trobe’s strengths with major health challenges/ missions;
• contributing to LHRI’s long-term reputation, strategy, sustainability and impact.

Expression of Interest

• Your experience leading large scale research programs or multi-disciplinary initiatives, bringing together researchers from diverse fields to deliver a shared strategic vision and collective impact.
• Your experience developing and sustaining relationships with external organisations including health services, government, industry, research institutes or philanthropic partners and translating those relationships into meaningful research opportunities.
• Your experience identifying emerging opportunities and working with academic and professional teams to shape significant programs of research and secure major research investments or collaborative programs.
• Your vision for La Trobe’s Health Research Institute and the first three priorities you would pursue to build momentum, strengthen collaboration and position the Institute for long term success.

The establishment of LHRI represents an important step in advancing La Trobe’s Research 2030 ambitions. It provides a unique opportunity to bring greater scale, connectivity, and strategic focus to our health research while strengthening our partnerships, impact and contribution to the communities we serve.

Kind regards

Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation

Advertised: 19 Oct 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 08 Nov 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time