Head of School, Public Health

UQ Business School; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Australian university seeks a Professor and Head of School for its School of Public Health. This pivotal leadership role involves driving the School’s strategic direction, fostering academic excellence, and building impactful partnerships. Candidates should possess a PhD in a relevant public health discipline and demonstrate a strong track record in research and teaching. The position is full-time and offers flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave

17.5% annual leave loading

Qualifications

• Internationally recognised track record of research excellence.
• Strong teaching portfolio with substantial publication record.
• Proven ability to secure competitive research funding.

Responsibilities

• Drive the School's strategic direction and academic excellence.
• Build partnerships with alumni, government, industry, and community stakeholders.
• Lead a team in delivering high-quality teaching and research.

Skills

Strategic capability

Emotional intelligence

Strong external engagement skills

Cultural awareness

Education

PhD in relevant public health discipline

Job description

Overview

School of Public Health

Full-time, fixed-term position for up to 5 years at Academic Level E

Based at our Herston Campus

Lead with Impact at UQ

Are you ready to shape the future of public health in Australia and beyond? Join a globally recognised institution and lead a dynamic, high-performing team committed to improving population health in a changing and inequitable world.

About This Opportunity

The University of Queensland (UQ) invites applications for the position of Professor and Head of School, School of Public Health. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving the School’s strategic direction, fostering academic excellence, and cultivating impactful cross-sector partnerships.

As Head of School, you will:

• Lead a world-class team in delivering high-quality teaching, research and engagement.
• Shape the School’s next strategic phase, ensuring alignment with UQ’s vision and values.
• Champion equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a strong commitment to First Nations engagement.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with alumni, government, industry, and community stakeholders.
• Strengthen the interface between public health and clinical disciplines by driving research, education, and engagement that influence both clinical practice and policy, and population health.
• Inspire a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

For more information about this opportunity, please view the complete Appointment Booklet.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

The greater benefits of joining the UQ community include:

• Being part of a Group of Eight university
• Recognition of prior service with other Australian universities
• Up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid on-site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times
• Genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process

About You

You will hold a PhD in relevant public health discipline, along with an internationally recognised track record of research excellence and strong teaching portfolio. This includes a substantial publication record in high-quality journals, a proven ability to secure competitive research funding, and effective PhD supervision.

You are a values-driven leader with the strategic capability, emotional intelligence, and the ability to unite and inspire diverse teams. You foster a collaborative, inclusive culture and lead with cultural awareness, demonstrating a strong understanding of the historical, social, and political contexts impacting First Nations peoples. With strong external engagement skills, you’ve built productive relationships across industry, government, and professional bodies and understand how to position the School for long-term success and impact.

Enquiries

If you’d like to have a confidential discussion, please contact Maddy Flaherty, Principal Advisor, via [e-mail].

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume
• Cover letter addressing the “About you” section listed in the appointment booklet

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We are committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact [e-mail].

Other Information

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including criminal check and education check.

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close Wednesday 5th November 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-54016).