Exploring Career Horizons in UniSQ's School of Science, Engineering and Digital Technologies

The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), a leading institution in regional Australia, has recently restructured its academic units to better align with industry needs and future challenges. Among these is the newly formed School of Science, Engineering and Digital Technologies (SEDT), which brings together disciplines spanning engineering, computing, science, surveying, and agricultural technologies. This school stands as a hub for innovation, offering professionals a dynamic environment to contribute to sustainable solutions and digital advancements. For those considering a move into higher education, working at UniSQ SEDT presents a blend of cutting-edge research, hands-on teaching, and strong industry ties, all set against the backdrop of Queensland's vibrant regional landscapes.

Established in early 2026 as part of UniSQ's vision for five new schools, SEDT is led by Professor Prasad Yarlagadda, Head of School and Dean. This strategic shift emphasizes supporting Queensland's workforce through skills in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, smart infrastructure, and data science. With campuses in Toowoomba, Springfield, and Ipswich, the school caters to a diverse workforce, enabling flexible work arrangements that suit academics, researchers, and technical staff alike. Whether you're an experienced professor in astrophysics or an emerging lecturer in cybersecurity, opportunities here are designed to foster growth and impact.

A Vibrant Academic Community and Leadership

At the heart of SEDT is a robust community of over 100 dedicated staff members, including numerous professors, associate professors, and senior lecturers specializing in high-demand fields. Standouts include Professor Jonti Horner in astrophysics, Professor Weena Lokuge in civil engineering, and Professor Rajib Rana in computer science. These experts not only lead groundbreaking research but also mentor the next generation, creating a collaborative atmosphere where knowledge exchange thrives.

The school's structure supports interdisciplinary work, with deputy heads like Associate Professor John Dearnaley overseeing science initiatives and a dedicated school manager, Joanne West, ensuring smooth operations. This leadership fosters an inclusive culture, where staff input shapes curriculum and research priorities. For newcomers, this means immediate integration into teams tackling real-world problems, from climate-resilient agriculture to quantum computing applications.

Diverse Roles Shaping the Future

Careers at SEDT span teaching, research, and professional services, offering pathways for various expertise levels. Academic positions include lecturers and senior lecturers who deliver programs in civil engineering, where students engage with digital twins and low-carbon materials; computing, featuring Australian Computer Society (ACS)-accredited courses in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity; and physics, exploring quantum mechanics and celestial phenomena.

Research-focused roles, such as postdoctoral fellows and research fellows, thrive in centres like the Institute for Space, Defence and Advanced Technologies and the Institute for Agriculture, Climate and the Environment. Projects range from sustainable materials development to geospatial mapping using drones and satellite imagery. Professional staff, including lab technicians and project coordinators, support these efforts through state-of-the-art facilities.

• Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering: Design curricula around robotics and automation.
• Professor in Data Science: Lead AI-driven industry partnerships.
• Research Fellow in Environmental Science: Model climate impacts on agriculture.
• Senior Lecturer in Surveying: Advance geospatial technologies for mining and construction.

These roles emphasize work-integrated learning, with staff often collaborating on capstone projects tied to regional initiatives like the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games preparations.

World-Class Facilities and Resources

SEDT boasts over four hectares of advanced laboratories, including robotics and mechatronics labs, hypersonic research facilities, geomechanics labs, and a hydraulics engineering centre. The Remote Access Laboratory (RAL) system revolutionizes work by allowing off-site experiment access for staff, students, and industry partners, reducing on-campus demands while maintaining hands-on rigor.

These resources enable staff to conduct experimental physics, materials testing, and engine research with cutting-edge tools like finite element analysis software and transport modeling systems. For engineers and scientists, this translates to tangible outputs: publications, patents, and prototypes that bridge academia and industry. Imagine supervising drone-based land surveys or optimizing renewable energy systems in a dedicated fuels lab—daily realities for SEDT professionals. Explore the engineering labs to see how they empower innovation.

Research Excellence and Impactful Projects

Research at SEDT addresses global challenges with a regional focus. Key areas include AI in health (led by Professor Rajendra Acharya), crop pathology (Professor Levente Kiss), and astrophysics (Professors Jonti Horner and Rob Wittenmyer). Multi-million-dollar projects in quantum computing and cybersecurity receive government funding, positioning staff at the forefront of technological advancement.

Staff contribute to sustainable agriculture through precision irrigation models and resilient infrastructure designs. For instance, civil engineering teams develop low-carbon concrete for major projects, while computing experts secure critical infrastructure against cyber threats. PhD supervision opportunities abound, with recent calls for projects on fungal genetics and climate extremes. This environment not only boosts publication rates but also attracts grants, enhancing career profiles. Publications from SEDT researchers frequently appear in top journals, underscoring the school's global recognition.

Teaching Innovation and Student Success

UniSQ SEDT ranks #1 in Australia for postgraduate Science and Mathematics overall experience and student support in Computing and Information Systems. Lecturers employ transformative methods: real-world projects, industry placements, and flexible delivery modes like online residential schools. With 5/5 stars for Engineering and Technology starting salaries for graduates, staff take pride in preparing job-ready talent.

Teaching loads balance with research time, allowing for curriculum co-design with industry. New flagship programs in Machine Learning, Cyber Security, and Electric Vehicles incorporate staff expertise, ensuring relevance. Engaging diverse learners—from regional first-in-family students to international postgrads—builds rewarding mentor relationships and professional fulfillment.

Competitive Benefits and Work-Life Balance

UniSQ offers attractive packages, including competitive salaries benchmarked to academic enterprise agreements, up to 17% employer superannuation contributions, and salary packaging options. Flexible working arrangements, such as hybrid models across campuses, support family commitments and regional lifestyles.

• Professional development: Funded conferences, leadership training, and research sabbaticals.
• Health and wellbeing: On-site gyms, counseling, and generous leave entitlements.
• Diversity initiatives: Support for First Nations employment and gender equity in STEM.
• Relocation assistance: For interstate or international hires.

Employee reviews highlight a collegial atmosphere and transparent pay scales, though long-term staff note increasing workloads amid growth. Toowoomba's affordable living, with its parks and proximity to Brisbane, enhances appeal for work-life harmony. Discover more benefits.

Career Progression and Professional Growth

Pathways from lecturer to professor are clear, with promotion criteria emphasizing research outputs, teaching excellence, and service. SEDT's industry partnerships facilitate secondments and consulting, diversifying CVs. Early-career researchers access postdoctoral programs, while mid-career staff lead new courses like Graduate Certificates in Construction Management.

Mentorship pairs new hires with seniors, accelerating integration. Alumni often return as adjuncts, creating networks. With Queensland's booming sectors in renewables and defence, SEDT positions staff for leadership in national priorities.

Challenges and Realistic Expectations

Like many regional universities, SEDT faces funding pressures and high student support demands. Reviews mention occasional overloads and administrative burdens, but strategic restructures aim to streamline. The focus on flexible tech mitigates isolation, fostering virtual collaborations.

Balancing teaching, research, and grants requires time management, yet supportive leadership and peer networks help. For ambitious professionals, these challenges build resilience and expertise.

How to Launch Your UniSQ SEDT Career

Monitor UniSQ's jobs portal for openings in SEDT fields. Tailor applications to highlight interdisciplinary skills and regional commitment. Interviews often include teaching demos and research pitches. Networking via LinkedIn or conferences boosts visibility.

Express interest in specific projects, like space tech or agrotech, to stand out. With ongoing recruitment for the new school's expansion, now is ideal.

Photo by UX Indonesia on Unsplash

Future Outlook: A Thriving Hub for Innovation

As SEDT grows, expect expanded PhD cohorts, international collaborations, and ties to Brisbane 2032 infrastructure. Queensland's innovation economy promises job security and impact. Joining means shaping tomorrow's engineers, scientists, and technologists in a supportive, forward-thinking environment.

Whether advancing astrophysics frontiers or securing digital futures, careers at UniSQ SEDT offer purpose, progression, and professional satisfaction.