One Health Microbiology: Research & Teaching Leader

UNSW Employees, Location, Alumni; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 133,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

UNSW is seeking a Lecturer (Level B) / Senior Lecturer (Level C) to develop an independent research program in environmental One Health microbiology and to contribute to teaching across microbiology and related disciplines at UNSW.

The role emphasizes building collaborations nationally and internationally, with a focus on environmental and planetary health, genomic and multi-omic approaches, and innovative curriculum renewal.

Qualifications

• PhD in environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, microbiome science, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated research track record in environmental/planetary health microbiology.
• Experience developing microbiome-based solutions for global change.
• Independent research vision and potential for leadership.
• Experience teaching at undergraduate/postgraduate level.
• Experience recruiting and supervising HDRs or students.

Responsibilities

• Establish internationally competitive research in environmental One Health microbiology.
• Develop understanding of microbiome connectivity across environmental systems.
• Collaborate across disciplines and with government, industry, and end-users.
• Contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in microbiology and related areas.
• Develop curriculum innovations including potential Frontiers in Microbiology course.
• Mentor students and colleagues and supervise HDRs.
• Deliver assessment and feedback with reflective teaching practices.
• Participate in School meetings and service.
• Align with UNSW's Code of Conduct and Values.
• Follow health and safety policies.

Skills

Research leadership

Critical thinking

Collaboration across disciplines

Teaching and supervision

Bioinformatics

Ecological modelling

Hazard assessment

Education

PhD in environmental microbiology or related

Demonstrated research track record

Experience with microbiome-based solutions

Tools

Genomics/metagenomics

Multi-omics analysis

Job description

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

This Job is based in Australia

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

THIS ROLE IS LOCATED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

The Lecturer (Level B) / Senior Lecturer (Level C) is expected to carry out activities to develop their scholarly research and professional activities both nationally and internationally and to contribute significantly to achieving the teaching and service missions of the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences and the Faculty of Science at UNSW.

This role is required to establish a distinctive research and teaching program in One Health microbiology, with a clear emphasis on environmental and planetary health. The Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer will draw on field, experimental, culture-based, genomic, multi-omic, computational, modelling or engineering approaches as appropriate to develop an independent research platform to study microbiomes. This role will also contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in microbiology and related disciplines and help renew the curriculum through research-led education.

Salary

• LEVEL B - $133 - $156 / LEVEL C - $161k - $185k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 2 years – Convertible Tenure Track
• Full time (35 hours)

LEVEL B: Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Establish internationally competitive research in environmental One Health microbiology, producing high-quality research outputs and competitive grant applications.
• Develop new understanding of microbiome connectivity across environmental, plant, animal-associated systems, with environmental and planetary health as the primary focus.
• Collaborate across disciplines, Schools and Faculties, and develop productive partnerships with government, industry, environmental managers, agriculture, research organisations, communities and other research end-users.
• Contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in microbiology, microbial ecology, environmental biotechnology, genomics, One Health, planetary health or related areas.
• Develop research-led learning activities and resources and contribute to curriculum innovation, including the potential development and coordination of a 'Frontiers in Microbiology' course
• Mentor and guide students and colleagues, develop the next generation of academics through involvement in supervision of HDRs and contribute to a collegial, inclusive and safe research culture.
• Apply a well-defined teaching philosophy and a critically reflective teaching practice that inspires student learning, and provide assessment and feedback using suitable approaches and learning environments.
• Make a positive contribution to School meetings, seminars and committees and to Faculty and University service as required.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

LEVEL C: (in addition to the above)

• Supervise HDRs to timely completion as primary supervisor; and contribute to HDR review panels.
• Establish and lead an independent research program in functional genomics and disease modelling, producing high-quality publications and competitive grant applications.
• Obtain research income through nationally competitive research grants (and/or research fellowships) and partnerships with research end-users, as a member or leader, at or above the level that is relevant to the discipline in leading universities.

About The Successful Applicant

LEVEL B:

• A PhD in environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, microbiome science, environmental biotechnology, microbial genomics, plant or soil microbiology, infectious disease ecology, One Health or a closely related discipline.
• A demonstrated research track record appropriate to career stage in environmental or planetary health microbiology, with outcomes of high quality and impact and clear potential or capacity for research leadership.
• Research experience in developing and evaluating microbial or microbiome-based solutions for global change - these could include bioremediation of contaminated land and water; ecosystem restoration and soil health, would be an advantage.
• A compelling independent research vision that complements BABS strengths and creates new collaborative opportunities across UNSW.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of: environmental microbiology; microbial ecology and evolution; soil, plant, freshwater, marine, atmospheric, wildlife or built-environment microbiomes; ecosystem processes and biogeochemistry; bioremediation; microbiome engineering or synthetic ecology; emerging zoonoses; or microbial responses to global change.
• Capacity to link microbial diversity and community composition to function, process, resilience, host or ecosystem outcomes, or system health using robust experimental design and appropriate controls.
• Experience with one or more relevant approaches, such as field sampling and experimentation, cultivation, stable-isotope or process measurements, metagenomics or meta transcriptomics, single-cell or multi-omic analysis, spatial or longitudinal analysis, bioinformatics, ecological modelling, surveillance, experimental evolution or microbial engineering.
• An understanding of responsible research, biosafety, biosecurity, ecological risk and data stewardship relevant to environmental microbial systems.
• A publication record, funding potential or achievement, collaborative ability and evidence of intellectual leadership appropriate to the level of appointment.
• Evidence of emerging independence, strong outputs relative to opportunity, a credible funding trajectory, and potential to build a nationally or internationally recognised research and teaching program.
• Experience in successfully recruiting and supervising high-calibre students, or clear capacity to do so.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level, with capacity to design inclusive, research-led learning and contribute to course and program development.
• Evidence of ability to support and inspire students from diverse backgrounds and contribute to student equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships with academic and external partners.
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
• Experience translating research into environmental management, policy, industry, public-health preparedness or community benefit would be advantageous.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW's aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

LEVEL C: (in addition to the above)

• An established independent profile with demonstrated research leadership, sustained outputs and funding, successful supervision, and capacity to lead major collaborations and curriculum innovation.
• Experience in successfully recruiting and supervising high calibre students.
• Evidence fostering teaching effectiveness and passion for educational excellence in others.
• Demonstrated success in initiating curriculum development and improvement.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Applications close: November 10th, 2026

Contact: Shane Grey

E: [e-mail]

Find Out More About Working At UNSW At Www.unsw.edu.au

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.