Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research)

The University of Western Australia; Perth; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Western Australia is seeking a Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) to provide strategic leadership for research across multiple institutes and infrastructure, guiding investment and partnerships. Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), the role focuses on elevating research performance and global engagement.

We seek a seasoned leader with a distinguished international profile, capable of shaping strategy, governance and investment across the university, and developing

Qualifications

• Doctoral qualification at Professorial level (Level E or equivalent).
• Proven success leading complex, multidisciplinary research portfolios or institutes.
• Experience in research strategy, governance, and infrastructure investment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across designated research institutes, infrastructure, and international research partnerships.
• Shape and steward the university's research infrastructure portfolio, driving investment and collaboration.
• Build influential relationships with government, industry and funders to enhance research reputation and impact.
• Translate strategic priorities into measurable outcomes across disciplines and schools.

Skills

Strategic leadership across research

Stakeholder engagement

Governance and investments

Research strategy and performance

Leadership development of researchers

Education

Doctoral qualification and Professorial level

Job description

About The University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one of Australia's leading universities and has an international reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research.It has almost 24,000 students enrolled across four...

• Provide strategic leadership across research institutes, international research and major research infrastructure investment.
• A senior management position on a five-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of renewal.
• Secondment arrangements are strongly encouraged and will be actively considered.

About the area

The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) provides strategic leadership for research across The University of Western Australia. Working across Schools, research institutes, professional portfolios and external partners, the portfolio advances research excellence, capability, collaboration and impact.

The portfolio oversees research strategy, policy and operations, including postgraduate research education, research quality and performance, research ethics and integrity, research infrastructure, industry engagement, commercialisation, international research and UWA's Strategic Research Institutes.

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) is a key member of UWA's senior academic leadership team. The role works closely with academic and professional leaders across the University to strengthen research performance, build institutional capability, foster collaboration, and ensure strategic investment supports areas of research strength and emerging opportunity.

About the opportunity

• Provide strategic leadership across designated research institutes and entities, research infrastructure, international research and institution-wide research capability initiatives.
• Shape and steward UWA's research infrastructure portfolio, driving investment, sustainability, research partnerships, multidisciplinary collaboration and research impact.
• Build and maintain influential relationships with government, industry, funders, universities and research organisations to enhance UWA's research reputation, performance and global engagement.

About you

• A doctoral qualification and academic standing at Professorial level (Level E or equivalent), supported by a distinguished international research profile.
• Demonstrated success leading complex research portfolios, multidisciplinary institutes, major research collaborations or comparable research-intensive organisations.
• Proven expertise in research strategy, governance, infrastructure investment, organisational performance and translating strategic priorities into measurable outcomes.
• Strong ability to develop research leaders, strengthen research culture and build capability across disciplines, schools and institutional boundaries.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and partnership-building skills, with experience working effectively across government, industry, funding bodies and international research networks

Note

As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to complete declarations in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence.

Recruitment Process and Key Dates

Selection activities may include Microsoft Teams interviews and/or in-person interviews.

Shortlisted candidates should be available to attend interviews on Monday, 30 November 2026 and Friday, 4 December 2026 .

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Monday, 23 November 2026

This position is open to international applicants.

About the University

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a safe environment for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with disability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. Alternatively, you can contact us for assistance during the recruitment process.

If you have queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number.