Director, Robotics & Autonomous Systems Center

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

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