Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences: A Global Leader in Health Innovation

The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (MNHS) at Monash University stands as the largest faculty within Australia's premier research-intensive institutions. Renowned for its comprehensive suite of health-related education and groundbreaking research, MNHS plays a pivotal role in training over 41,000 doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and researchers globally. This faculty operates across multiple campuses in Victoria and extends its influence internationally through partnerships in Indonesia, Malaysia, China, India, and Italy.

Structured into four sub-faculties—Health Sciences, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, and Translational Medicine and Public Health—MNHS fosters an ecosystem where academia, healthcare providers, and industry converge. This collaborative model accelerates the translation of scientific discoveries into real-world health improvements, addressing grand challenges like chronic diseases, mental health, and population health disparities. With world-class infrastructure, including advanced MRI scanners and clinical trial facilities, the faculty ranks among the top 40 globally for clinical, pre-clinical, and health sciences.

Monash's strategic plan for 2020-2030 emphasizes excellence in research and education, international collaboration, enterprising partnerships, and inclusivity. This environment makes MNHS an ideal setting for senior leaders to drive impactful change in translational research and clinical innovation.

🎓 Spotlight on the School of Translational Medicine

The School of Translational Medicine (STM) represents the pinnacle of biomedical research and education within MNHS. Housed primarily at the Monash Alfred Campus, STM bridges foundational science and clinical practice, expediting discoveries into patient care. Translational medicine, by definition, involves moving research from bench to bedside—transforming laboratory findings into therapies, diagnostics, and preventive strategies that directly benefit patients.

STM spans 17 departments and centers, including Immunology and Pathology, Diabetes, Infectious Diseases, Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Cancer Medicine, Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, and the Australian Centre for Blood Diseases. This multidisciplinary structure supports over 650 clinical trials annually, generates more than 600 research publications, and secures over $88 million in research income. With 525 medical, undergraduate, and postgraduate students, the school attracts top talent to its state-of-the-art facilities within the Alfred Research Alliance.

Key achievements include bioengineered skin for burn victims, precision medicine for brain cancer, and immune therapies for childhood urinary tract infections. As part of the Sub-Faculty of Translational Medicine and Public Health, STM collaborates closely with the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to advance population health and commercialize innovations.

For more details on STM's vibrant ecosystem, visit the official School of Translational Medicine page.

🏥 Exploring the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Embedded within Monash Health—Victoria's largest public health service serving over 1.5 million people—the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS) is MNHS's largest clinical school. Located mainly at Monash Medical Centre in Clayton, SCS excels in translational research across specialties like cancer and haematology, clinical medicine, critical care, endocrinology, infectious diseases, rheumatology, neurosciences, nutrition, and women's and children's health.

SCS boasts annual research income exceeding $70 million, over 1,000 researchers, 270 PhD students, and 890 publications per year. It hosts the largest cohort of clinicians pursuing higher degrees by research among Australian teaching hospitals and delivers substantial clinical teaching for Monash's Doctor of Medicine (MD) program and Nutrition degrees. Departments include Medicine, Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, and Radiology.

Through the Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP)—partnering with the Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Monash Health—SCS facilitates seamless clinician-scientist collaborations. Principal investigators often hold dual roles, ensuring research directly informs patient care.

Learn more via the School of Clinical Sciences overview.

Core Responsibilities in Head of School Leadership

Both Head of School positions demand visionary leadership to elevate their respective schools' global standing. Responsibilities encompass strategic planning, resource allocation (budgets up to $180 million), staff management (overseeing 350+ staff and 1,000 adjuncts), and fostering excellence in research, teaching, and partnerships.

• Develop innovative research programs aligned with faculty priorities, securing competitive grants and leading multidisciplinary projects.
• Oversee high-quality teaching and curriculum innovation, expanding higher degree by research (HDR) programs to attract elite students.
• Build alliances with health services like Alfred Hospital or Monash Health, industry, government, and international bodies.
• Drive performance management, equitable workloads, and a culture of inclusivity and academic freedom.
• Contribute personally as a Level E Professor through high-impact publications, HDR supervision, and professional engagement.

Qualified candidates may negotiate parallel clinical appointments, enhancing integration between academia and healthcare delivery.

🔍 Key Qualifications and Selection Criteria

Candidates must hold a research doctorate, with medical specialist qualifications advantageous for SCS. Proven track records include:

• Outstanding scholarly output: High-impact publications, grant success, and leadership in clinical or basic research.
• Academic management expertise: Strategic vision, budget oversight, HR leadership, and decision-making in large-scale operations.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Fostering research cultures, supervising HDR students, and building partnerships.
• Teaching excellence: Curriculum design, student attraction, and quality assurance.
• Global vision: Promoting the school internationally and committing to equity, diversity, and community impact.

Strong interpersonal skills are essential for mentoring, committee representation, and stakeholder engagement.

Strategic Impact and Growth Opportunities

These roles offer leaders the chance to shape Australia's health research landscape. At STM, advance personalized medicine in genomics, AI-driven biosciences, and trauma care. At SCS, tackle women's health, paediatric innovations, and chronic disease management amid Monash Health's vast patient base.

Monash's biotechnology hub status supports commercialization, from molecular therapies to community interventions. Leaders will benchmark schools against top global peers, influence policy, and mentor the next generation of clinician-scientists.

Explore related career advice on excelling in Australian research roles or postdoctoral strategies.

📋 Navigating the Application Process

Applications close 25 March 2026 at 11:55 PM AEDT. Submit a full CV and vision statement via the dedicated portals:

• STM Position
• SCS Position

For confidential discussions, contact Professor Terence O'Brien (STM) or Professor Euan Wallace (SCS). Tailor your statement to Monash's values: excellence, internationalism, enterprise, and inclusivity. Highlight quantifiable impacts, such as grant dollars secured or HDR completions supervised.

Prepare for a rigorous process emphasizing cultural fit and strategic alignment. Visit professor jobs and career advice for resume and CV tips.

Why Monash University Excels for Academic Leaders

Monash, Australia's largest university and top 100 globally, offers unparalleled resources: cutting-edge facilities, diverse campuses, and robust support for work-life balance. As an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, it champions EDI (equity, diversity, inclusion). Leaders benefit from enterprise ecosystems translating research into startups and therapies.

Proximity to Melbourne's premier hospitals accelerates bench-to-bedside progress. Internal links like the Victorian Heart Institute and Hudson Institute amplify impact.

Check university jobs for similar opportunities or professor salaries insights.

Melbourne: A Thriving Hub for Health Professionals

Melbourne, consistently ranked among the world's most livable cities, blends cultural vibrancy, sports (Australian Open, AFL), and diverse cuisine. With a temperate climate and 45% overseas-born residents, it fosters innovation. Monash's Clayton and Alfred campuses provide easy access to urban amenities and green spaces.

For those eyeing leadership in faculty positions, Melbourne's ecosystem supports family life and professional growth.

Photo by Fotos on Unsplash

Seizing Leadership at Monash: Next Steps

These Head of School opportunities at Monash's School of Translational Medicine and School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health represent rare chances to lead transformative health research. With robust funding, elite teams, and global partnerships, appointees will pioneer solutions for pressing health challenges.

Ready to advance your career? Explore openings at higher-ed-jobs, share experiences on Rate My Professor, or access advice via higher-ed career advice and university jobs. Post your vacancy through recruitment services to attract top talent.

Have your say in the comments below—what skills define the ideal Head of School?