Director, Summer Foundation Disability Research Centre

La Trobe University; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts for staff and their family

Job summary

La Trobe University invites applications for the Director, The Summer Disability Research Centre, established through a partnership between The Summer Foundation and the School of Psychology and Public Health.

The Director will lead the Centre’s research agenda, secure funding, build a multidisciplinary team and translate findings into policy, practice and systems change to improve housing and living outcomes for people with high support needs.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent qualification in psychology, public health, social sciences, rehabilitation or disability studies
• A distinguished record of research achievement at Associate Professor level or equivalent, including high-impact publications, competitive funding and demonstrated impact
• Strong track record translating research into policy, practice or systems change within disability, housing or health sectors
• Experience providing strategic leadership to a research centre or large program, including staff leadership
• Proven success building partnerships with government, disability organisations, service providers and people with lived experience
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusive, accessible research practices

Responsibilities

• Lead the Centre's strategic research agenda and direction
• Secure competitive and philanthropic funding for the Centre
• Build and manage a multidisciplinary research team
• Translate research findings into policy, practice and systems change
• Engage with government, industry, and communities nationally and internationally
• Foster inclusive, co-design research with lived experience partners

Education

PhD or equivalent qualification in psychology, public health, social sciences, rehabilitation or disability studies

Job description

Director, Summer Disability Research Centre

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 collaborative 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.

• Discounts for staff and their family members to study a range of La Trobe courses

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

La Trobe University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We take an intersectional approach by actively supporting and encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. Flexibility in interview format will be offered to shortlisted candidates.

Our commitment to safety

All La Trobe University employees are bound by the Working with Children Act 2005. If you are successful, you will be required to hold a valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check prior to commencement.

National Code on Gender Based Violence in Higher Education

La Trobe University is committed to upholding the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence (GBV Code). This aligns with our mission to create safe and respectful communities. Candidates will be asked during the recruitment process to declare whether they have ever been investigated for, or found to have engaged in, gender-based violence in previous employment and/or in legal proceedings and provide relevant information to assist in determining suitability.

Gender-based violence means any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuse or threats based on gender, that results in, or is likely to result in harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation of liberty or autonomy.

Why La Trobe

Develop your career at an innovative, global university where you’ll collaborate with community and industry to create impact.

Enjoy working on our inspiring and stunning campuses - the perfect hub for industry, students and academics.

Help transform the lives of students, partners and communities now and in the future.