Associate Professor of Geotechnical Engineering

RMIT University

Overview

• Full-time, Continuing position
• Salary Academic Level D ($170,080 - $187,373 p.a.) + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements
• Based at the Melbourne CBD campus, but may be required to work and/or be based at other campuses of the University

About the Role

RMIT University is seeking an Associate Professor in Geotechnical Engineering to provide academic leadership and research excellence within the School of Engineering, with a strong focus on Computational Geomechanics and industry-engaged research translation.

This role is suited to a senior academic who combines deep technical expertise with a passion for applying advanced research to real-world engineering challenges. You will play a leading role in shaping the discipline’s teaching, research direction and industry impact, while mentoring staff and HDR candidates and contributing to the School’s strategic priorities.

Your research will centre on numerical modelling of soil behaviour, including the development of advanced constitutive models, simulation frameworks and predictive tools that inform geotechnical design. You will be expected to lead high-quality research programs, attract competitive funding, and translate outcomes through strong collaboration with industry and government partners.

As an Associate Professor, you will make original, innovative and distinguished contributions at a national and emerging international level, while also delivering high-quality teaching and contributing to academic governance and leadership across the University.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Leadership & Teaching

• Lead innovation and continuous improvement in teaching programs, including assessment design, moderation and quality assurance
• Direct award programs and contribute to improved student learning outcomes
• Provide academic leadership and mentoring to colleagues across teaching and scholarship

Research & Impact

• Lead nationally and internationally recognised research programs in geotechnical engineering
• Build, lead and mentor high-performing research teams
• Secure competitive external research funding to support sustained research growth
• Lead publication efforts in high-quality outlets
• Supervise Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates to successful completion
• Translate research outcomes into practice through industry and government collaboration

Service & Governance

• Make a substantial contribution to the strategic planning and governance of the Department, School, College and University
• Contribute to committees and leadership forums within and beyond the University
• Actively support a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing academic culture

About You

You are a respected academic leader with a strong reputation in computational geomechanics and a proven ability to bridge cutting-edge research with industry application.

You will demonstrate:

• A nationally recognised research profile, with emerging international recognition, in areas such as computational geomechanics, offshore geotechnics and soil–structure interaction modelling
• Proven experience leading award programs and implementing innovative, student-centred learning approaches
• Strong industry and government engagement translating research into practice
• Extensive research leadership experience, including building collaborative teams and securing competitive funding
• A strong record of supervising HDR candidates and developing research capacity
• Demonstrated capability in leading, mentoring and managing academic teams
• Sound understanding of governance, financial management and quality systems within a university environment
• High-level interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, including engagement with senior stakeholders and external partners
• A collaborative leadership style and proven contribution to shared strategic goals

Qualifications

Mandatory: PhD in Civil Engineering.

Please Note

Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.

About the STEM College

RMIT’s STEM College is a national and global leader in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health disciplines. With over 1,000 staff and 25,000 students, we deliver high-impact education and research that transforms industries and communities.

Industry engagement is embedded in everything we do, ensuring our research delivers real-world impact and our graduates are work-ready. Our commitment to diversity is led by Victoria’s first Dean of STEM, Diversity & Inclusion, appointed in 2020.

The School of Engineering

The School of Engineering is one of the largest Engineering Schools in Australia. It has over 350 staff and 7000 students, including 800 HDR students. The School is committed to driving innovation and collaboration through our industry partnerships. Our industry partners range from small companies to multinational organisations and we work together on translating our research into impact for our partners and the wider community.

Departments

• Aerospace Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical and Environmental Engineering
• Civil and Infrastructure Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronics Engineering

The School is developing new industry led degrees, where our students learn whilst working for companies, as well as innovation hubs where we will co-locate industry partners, our research teams and our undergraduate students.

Over the next three to five years the School of Engineering will support these new strategic plans through investments in new facilities. This will include reimaging our teaching laboratories, where we will use new digital technologies to enhance the student experience, as well as research labs where partnerships with industry will enable us to maintain leading research facilities.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/engineering

To Apply

Please click the ‘Apply’ link below and upload the following documents:

• Your CV
• A cover letter
• A separate document addressing the Key Selection Criteria

For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Associate Professor Dilan Robert via email at dilan.robert@rmit.edu.au.

For further information regarding recruitment processes, please contact Jennifer Pham, Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor via email at jennifer.pham2@rmit.edu.au. Please do not share your application to this email address.

Please note: Due to the University’s end-of-year shutdown period from 25 December 2025 to 1 January 2026, there will be no talent support during this time. Recruitment will resume once the University reopens in January 2026.

Position Description – Associate Professor, Geotechnical Engineering

Applications Close

27 Jan 2026, 11.59 pm