James Cook University (JCU), renowned as Australia's tropical university, is actively recruiting for the critical position of Dean and Head of Medicine within its College of Medicine and Dentistry (CMD). Based in Townsville, Queensland, this leadership role presents a rare opportunity to steer one of the country's most innovative and socially accountable medical education programs. With applications closing on May 20, 2026, this is a chance for visionary medical educators and clinicians to shape the future of healthcare delivery in northern Australia and the Tropics. The Dean and Head of Medicine will lead the Medicine Academic Group, overseeing the prestigious Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program—a six-year undergraduate degree that equips graduates to tackle pressing health needs in rural, remote, Indigenous, and tropical settings.

The MBBS, fully accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC), emphasizes practical, community-focused training. Unlike traditional metropolitan-based programs, JCU's approach integrates extensive clinical placements— at least 20 weeks in rural and remote areas—ensuring graduates are not just competent doctors but advocates for underserved populations. This position demands an exceptional leader committed to excellence in teaching, research, and partnerships, amid exciting expansions like the new Cairns cohort for Years 1-6 starting in 2025.

🌴 Building on a 25-Year Legacy of Transformative Medical Education

JCU's medical school, launched in 2000, marked a pivotal moment in Australian higher education as the nation's first regional medical program. Pioneered by founding Dean Professor Richard Hays, with planning support from Professor Bob Porter (former Dean at Monash), it addressed chronic doctor shortages in northern Queensland. Over 25 years, celebrated in 2025, the program has graduated more than 2,500 doctors, fundamentally reshaping the regional workforce. Professor Richard Murray, who served for two decades until his departure in 2024, left an indelible legacy in health advocacy and program growth.

Today, under CMD Dean Professor Sarah Larkins, the MBBS selects around 70 percent of students from rural, regional, or remote backgrounds, fostering a cohort deeply connected to the communities they serve. Graduate outcomes underscore this success: 67 percent of JCU medicine alumni remain in northern Queensland post-graduation, per Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) data. Nationally, JCU health graduates are 41 percent more likely to work in outer regional, remote, or very remote Queensland compared to averages, according to Graduate Outcomes Surveys from 2016-2022. Mid-career data (postgraduate years 5-14) reveals one-third practicing in regional cities, 14 percent in rural towns, and 3 percent in remote areas—double the national rate for rural generalism.

Real-world impact shines through alumni like Dr. Prue Wallin (2006 graduate), now a Rural Generalist with advanced anesthetics skills, who credits JCU's hands-on rural exposure for her career path. Similarly, Dr. Harris Eyre transitioned from JCU medicine to global neuroscience leadership, exemplifying the program's versatility.

Core Responsibilities: Driving Vision and Performance

The Dean and Head of Medicine provides overarching strategic leadership for education, research, and engagement. This includes planning and enhancing the MBBS for ongoing AMC accreditation, managing academic staff performance and development, and aligning with university priorities. Key duties encompass:

• Championing high-quality learning, teaching, and assessment in a problem-based, community-engaged model.
• Fostering research excellence tied to regional priorities like tropical diseases and Indigenous health.
• Building partnerships with healthcare providers, the Australian Medical Council, and networks like Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs (NQRTH).
• Strengthening commitments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through culturally safe education.
• Promoting multidisciplinary collaboration across CMD disciplines: dentistry, pharmacy, public health, and biomedical sciences.

Remuneration is competitive, featuring an excellent salary package inclusive of 17 percent superannuation, plus clinical and market loadings reflective of the role's demands.

Essential Qualifications and Person Specification

Candidates must hold registration as a medical practitioner in Australia and Fellowship of a relevant specialist college. A proven track record in clinical education, teaching, assessment, and research is non-negotiable, alongside national standing in medicine or medical education (for Academic Level E). Success requires:

• Demonstrated ability to lead large academic teams, influence stakeholders, and negotiate effectively.
• Deep commitment to rural/remote health and Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander equity.
• Strategic vision to elevate program performance amid growth challenges.

Applications demand a resume and cover letter addressing selection criteria, submitted via JCU's careers portal.

🏖️ Townsville: The Ideal Base for Tropical Health Leadership

Townsville offers an enviable lifestyle fusion: pristine beaches, proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, and a tropical climate year-round. Affordable housing, top schools, and a tight-knit community make it family-friendly, while robust healthcare, research, and industry sectors provide professional dynamism. As CMD's hub, it positions the Dean at the heart of innovation networks.

Research Powerhouse: Tackling Tropical and Regional Health Frontiers

CMD's research prowess, bolstered by the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM), targets high-burden issues like peripheral artery disease, diabetes, infectious diseases, and dementia in First Nations communities. Themes span health systems strengthening, biomedicine, and tropical security, with global reach into Pacific and Southeast Asia. JCU ranks highly worldwide in ecology and marine sciences, complementing medical efforts in environmental health intersections. The Dean will amplify these outputs, driving translational impact.

Explore CMD's research depth at the official college page or AITHM's initiatives via their site.

Navigating Broader Challenges in Australian Medical Leadership

Regional medical deans face funding pressures, workforce shortages, and expansion demands amid GP crises in rural Australia. JCU exemplifies solutions: largest contributor to Queensland's Rural Generalist Pathway, with recent bids for 60 new MBBS places split between Townsville and Cairns. Political support, like the LNP's pledge for 25 extra spots, signals momentum. Yet, accreditation maintenance, Indigenous participation targets, and post-COVID adaptations test leaders. JCU's model—values-driven selection and curriculum—offers a blueprint, as affirmed in recent AMC reviews.

Details on expansion pledges appear in JCU's announcement.

Future Horizons: Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation

With Cairns' full MBBS rollout, postgraduate expansions, and NQRTH specialty training, CMD is poised for scale. The Dean will navigate Commonwealth Supported Places campaigns, digital health collaborations, and equity advocacy. JCU's 20,000+ students and top rankings (e.g., #1 Queensland for regional health professional production) provide a robust platform. This role promises influence on national policy, from Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand forums to global tropical health forums.

Seizing the Opportunity: Application Insights

To apply, visit JCU Careers, upload your CV and tailored cover letter, and contact Professor Sarah Larkins (deancmd@jcu.edu.au) for insights. Tailor responses to showcase alignment with JCU's mission: adventure, skills, and impact in the Tropics. This is more than a job—it's a legacy-defining endeavor for Australia's medical future.