Discovering the Vibrant World of SABE

The School of Architecture and Built Environment (SABE) at the University of Newcastle (UniNC), located on the scenic Callaghan campus in Australia, stands as a beacon for professionals passionate about shaping resilient communities through innovative design and construction. Nestled on Awabakal land, SABE has cultivated an international reputation for its pioneering problem-based learning approach, research-led teaching, and flexible blended study options. With a focus on planning, designing, and constructing resilient communities—defined as the capacity to recover from setbacks, adapt to change, and thrive amid challenges—the school attracts academics and researchers eager to make tangible impacts.

Working at SABE means immersing yourself in a collaborative environment where respect for Country, environmental sustainability, social justice, equity, and diversity are core values. As the first architecture and built environment school in Australia to achieve gender equity across its staff, SABE exemplifies inclusive practices that enrich perspectives and foster creativity. High graduate employability rates, standing at 86.8% within four months, underscore the school's effectiveness in preparing not just students, but also its staff for leadership in the built environment professions.

Career Pathways in Teaching and Scholarship

Academic roles at SABE offer a fulfilling blend of teaching, research, and service, appealing to those with expertise in architecture, construction management, and disaster resilience. Entry-level positions like Lecturer in Architecture Communications Theory involve delivering courses through problem-based learning, where students tackle real-world industry problems step-by-step: identifying issues, researching solutions, prototyping designs, and reflecting on outcomes. This method builds critical thinking and practical skills, mirroring professional practice.

Senior roles, such as Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk and Resilience or Professor of Architecture (Creative Practice), demand established research portfolios and leadership in curriculum development. Recent targeted hires, including Indigenous-identified and female-identified positions, reflect SABE's commitment to diversifying its faculty. For instance, a Senior Lecturer role emphasizes scholarship in areas like community engagement or heritage, alongside mentoring postgraduate students. These positions enable staff to influence the next generation while advancing their own creative and scholarly pursuits.

• Lecturer: Focus on course delivery, student supervision, and emerging research.
• Senior Lecturer: Lead research projects, secure grants, and contribute to school strategy.
• Professor: Drive international collaborations and high-impact publications.

With the school's undergraduate programs like the Bachelor of Design (Architecture) and Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) Honours, and postgraduate offerings such as the Master of Architecture and Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience, faculty enjoy dynamic teaching loads integrated with studio-based learning.

State-of-the-Art Facilities Enhancing Daily Work

SABE's facilities elevate the workday, providing hands-on spaces that inspire innovation. The Architectural Design Studios serve as creative hubs where staff and students collaborate on design iterations, from conceptual sketches to digital models. Adjacent, the Architecture and Built Environment Workshop (ABEW) equips professionals with tools for prototyping—think CNC machines, 3D printers, and material testing labs—allowing seamless integration of theory and practice.

The Pixelspace lab supports advanced digital fabrication and virtual reality simulations, ideal for research in sustainable built environments. These resources not only aid teaching but also fuel personal projects, such as exploring resilient housing designs post-disaster. The peaceful Callaghan campus, surrounded by native flora and fauna, promotes a restorative atmosphere, with easy access to collaborative spaces across the College of Engineering, Science, and Environment.

Staff benefit from flexible setups, including blended workspaces that accommodate remote collaboration tools, ensuring productivity without burnout.

Thriving in Research Excellence

Research at SABE is a cornerstone of professional fulfillment, with over $7 million in funding secured in the past decade from sources like the Australian Research Council, UN, and government bodies. Focus areas span Architecture (theory, practice, indigeneity, heritage), Construction Management (materials, policy, technologies), and Disaster Resilience and Recovery (communities, risk). Academics lead projects on sustainable development and community resilience, often exhibiting design research internationally.

PhD supervision opportunities abound, with more than 300 research outputs including books, chapters, and papers. For example, staff explore Country-guided practices, embedding Indigenous knowledge into decolonized design frameworks—a process involving cultural consultations, site analyses, and iterative prototyping respectful of traditional custodianship. This work positions SABE researchers as thought leaders, with recent accolades like national prizes for design excellence. For deeper insights into ongoing projects, explore the SABE research page.

Photo by Bence Balla-Schottner on Unsplash

Competitive Compensation and Rewards

UniNC offers robust remuneration aligned with the Academic Staff Enterprise Agreement. Lecturers earn around AUD 133,000 annually, while Senior Lecturers range from AUD 143,602 to 165,586, plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading. Professors command higher scales, often exceeding AUD 200,000 based on experience and discipline.

Salary packaging options maximize take-home pay, allowing tax-effective contributions to mortgages, vehicles, or living expenses. These packages, combined with performance-based increments and promotion pathways, ensure long-term financial security. In Australia's competitive higher education landscape, SABE's scales reflect its prestige, particularly as the top-ranked in New South Wales for Architecture and Built Environment in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Benefits Supporting Wellbeing and Growth

Beyond salary, UniNC prioritizes holistic support. Flexible working arrangements—hybrid models, compressed weeks, and remote options—promote work-life balance, rated 3.8/5 on employee reviews. Generous leave includes 5 weeks annual, extensive parental provisions, and study leave for upskilling.

Professional development is robust: funding for conferences, workshops like Reflective Practice for Active Learning, and leadership programs. Health initiatives cover gym access, counseling, and salary-sacrificed wellbeing expenses. CareerTrackers partnerships bolster Indigenous staff pathways, while gender equity initiatives sustain diversity.

Culture of Inclusion and Collaboration

SABE's culture shines through its values: care for Earth via climate-adaptive research, Indigeneity by embedding Aboriginal ways of knowing, and social justice through equitable access. As Australia's pioneer in gender-balanced architecture staffing, it welcomes LGBTQIA+ perspectives, fostering richer dialogues.

Employee feedback highlights a supportive community—pros include passionate colleagues, flexible environments, and meaningful work; challenges like growth opportunities (3.6/5) are addressed via targeted hires and mentorship. Daily life involves interdisciplinary events like Open Architecture Talks and industry workshops, building networks.

Professional Development Opportunities

Growth is embedded: staff access grants for HDR supervision, international exchanges, and teaching innovations. Programs like FLIP Speed Networking connect peers, while research training hones grant-writing and publication skills. Promotions follow clear criteria—research output, teaching excellence, service— with many advancing internally.

Alumni networks and CareerTrackers provide mentorship, preparing staff for leadership like Head of School Prof. Thayaparan Gajendran, whose industry background enriches governance.

Photo by Tânia Mousinho on Unsplash

Industry Ties and Community Impact

Strong partnerships—guest lectures, site visits, internships—bridge academia and practice. Graduates lead firms; staff consult on resilient projects. Events like BiG Day In engage future talent, while collaborations with HunterWiSE promote STEM equity. For program details, see the study offerings.

Future Horizons at SABE

Approaching its 60th anniversary in 2026, SABE eyes expansion amid rising demand for resilient expertise. Top rankings, award-winning graduates like Thomas Jager (2026 Architects Medallion), and grant successes signal growth. Prospective staff can apply via UniNC careers portal, tailoring CVs to PBL and resilience themes. Join a school where your work transforms communities.