Imagine launching or advancing your career in a dynamic environment where cutting-edge research meets real-world financial challenges, all within one of Australia's top business schools. The Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics (DAFE) at Griffith University stands as a hub for innovation in these critical fields, attracting top talent eager to shape the future of business education and policy in Australia.
Nestled within Griffith Business School, DAFE operates across the university's vibrant Nathan and Gold Coast campuses in Queensland, offering a blend of urban accessibility and coastal lifestyle. With a commitment to excellence, the department delivers internationally recognized programs that equip students—and staff—with skills for global business, from accounting standards to economic forecasting. Faculty here don't just teach; they lead research that influences industry practices, government policies, and sustainable development.
For professionals considering a move to academia or those already in higher education seeking new horizons, DAFE provides a supportive ecosystem. Headed by Professor Alberto Posso, an expert in international development and applied microeconomics, the department boasts over 50 academic staff across accounting, economics, finance, financial planning, and business law. This multidisciplinary team fosters collaboration, ensuring every member contributes to a culture of high-impact scholarship and teaching innovation.
🧑🏫 Diverse Academic Roles and Pathways
Working at DAFE opens doors to varied roles tailored to different career stages. Entry-level positions often start as lecturers or research fellows, progressing to senior lecturer, associate professor, and full professor. These academic positions emphasize a balanced workload: typically 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service, allowing flexibility to pursue passions.
Lecturers deliver undergraduate and postgraduate courses in areas like financial accounting, econometrics, and investment analysis. For instance, a recent opening for a Lecturer Level B in Financial Planning (Teaching-Intensive) highlights the demand for experts who can engage students through intensive delivery modes, commencing in Trimester 2, 2026. Research fellows support grant-funded projects, co-authoring papers in top journals such as the Journal of Financial Economics or Energy Economics.
Professional staff roles, including operations managers and engagement officers, support departmental initiatives like the Griffith Tax Clinic or the Academy of Excellence in Financial Crime Investigation and Compliance. These positions appeal to those with industry backgrounds in finance or accounting seeking stable, impactful university careers.
- Lecturer: Teach core units, supervise honors students.
- Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor: Lead research clusters, secure funding.
- Professor: Mentor HDR students, shape department strategy.
- Research Fellow: Analyze data on ESG practices or energy markets.
Progression relies on a robust performance review system, rewarding publications, teaching feedback scores above 4.5/5, and external grants.
🔬 Thriving in World-Class Research
DAFE's research prowess defines its appeal for academics. Using advanced econometric techniques, staff tackle pressing issues like household financial literacy, corporate governance, market volatility, and sustainable energy transitions. The department aligns with Griffith's 2025-2030 Research Plan, prioritizing quantitative insights for policy and business.
Key themes include:
- Global Markets, Risk and Forecasting: Commodity pricing amid geopolitical shocks (e.g., Associate Professor Neda Todorova's work on precious metals volatility).
- Corporate Governance, Law and Regulation: ESG disclosure impacts (Professor Shireenjit Johl on audit quality).
- Households, Behaviour and Wellbeing: Retirement planning and migrant financial literacy (Professor Robert Bianchi).
- Sustainability, Energy and Environment: Climate finance and renewable integration (Professor Ivan Diaz-Rainey).
Recent outputs feature in high-impact journals: Fan et al. (2026) on cultural influences on investor behavior; Chai et al. (2026) on illicit financial flows. HDR supervision spans 20+ students, with projects on AI in patents or climate-resilient agriculture. Centers like the Griffith Centre for Personal Finance and Superannuation provide dedicated resources.
Funding opportunities abound through Australian Research Council grants, industry partners like AMP, and internal schemes. Faculty enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, including data analytics labs, fostering collaborations that lead to real-world applications, such as policy advice on carbon markets.
📚 Excellence in Teaching and Student Impact
Teaching at DAFE is transformative, blending theory with practice. Staff develop curricula for programs like the Bachelor of Commerce (majors in accounting, economics, finance) and Master of Professional Accounting, accredited by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants ANZ. Innovative delivery includes hybrid modes, internships, and the Griffith Tax Clinic, where students advise real clients under supervision.
A typical semester involves 200-300 contact hours, with class sizes averaging 30-50. Faculty like Dr. Akihiro Omura mentor teams that placed in Harvard's premier finance challenge (2025), showcasing student success. Professional development via Griffith's Learning and Teaching Academy hones skills in active learning and inclusive pedagogy.
Student feedback drives excellence: DAFE units score above university averages (4.2/5), with emphasis on real-world cases like auditing scandals or economic modeling of tea prices (Associate Professor Athula Naranpanawa's hybrid deep learning forecasts).
🤝 Industry Engagement and Partnerships
DAFE bridges academia and industry through strategic ties. Partnerships with Bendigo Bank, Stonehouse Group, and regulators enhance internships and advisory roles. The department's Griffith Tax Clinic serves low-income communities, offering staff community impact credits toward promotion.
Engagement Director Dr. Robyn Cameron leads initiatives like guest lectures from Big Four firms and alumni networks. Faculty consult on AML/CTF regulations or sustainable finance, translating research into practice. For more on collaborations, visit the DAFE official page.
💼 Competitive Compensation and Benefits
Griffith University offers attractive remuneration aligned with the Academic Staff Enterprise Agreement 2023-2025. Salaries reflect national benchmarks:
| Level | Entry Salary (AUD) | Top of Scale (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Level A (Lecturer) | ~$81,000 | ~$109,000 |
| Level B | ~$114,000 | ~$135,000 |
| Level C (Senior Lecturer) | ~$140,000 | ~$161,000 |
| Level D (Assoc Prof) | ~$164,000 | ~$189,000 |
| Level E (Professor) | ~$195,000+ | ~$220,000+ |
Plus 17% superannuation, salary packaging up to $15,900 tax-free, and relocation assistance. Professional staff earn $70,000-$120,000 based on HEW levels. Annual increases and performance bonuses add value. Check current scales at Griffith's careers site.
⚖️ Work-Life Balance and Campus Culture
Griffith prioritizes wellbeing with flexible hours, remote options (up to 50%), and generous leave: 5 weeks annual, 15 days personal, long service after 7 years. Campuses offer gyms, childcare, and coastal proximity for recharge.
Culture scores high (Glassdoor 4.0/5): collaborative, innovative, with 81% recommending. Challenges include bureaucracy, but DAFE's close-knit team (monthly seminars, social events) mitigates this. Diversity thrives: 40% international staff, strong Indigenous inclusion.
🌟 Spotlight on Faculty Successes
Professor Reza Monem, former Deputy Head, exemplifies impact through governance research. Associate Professor Bin Li's asset pricing work garners 1,300+ citations. Dr. Jessica Harris advances health econometrics, while Dr. Di Johnson innovates scam prevention.
Alumni like Lorenzo Schofer (RBA economist) credit DAFE training. Recent hires, such as in financial planning, bring fresh industry perspectives. Explore staff profiles at the DAFE staff directory.
Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash
🚀 Navigating Application and Future Prospects
To join, monitor Griffith jobs portal for DAFE postings. Applications require CV, research/teaching statements, and references. PhD essential for academics; industry experience valued.
Future: Expanding sustainability focus amid net-zero goals, with new HDR scholarships. Queensland's growth in fintech and green energy promises roles. DAFE positions you at the forefront.
Ready to contribute? DAFE awaits talented individuals committed to excellence.
