Lecturer in Social Work

Locations: 90 Sippy Downs Drive, UniSC Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia, 4556; 1 Moreton Parade, UniSC Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, 4502

School: School of Law and Society

Employment Type: Full-Time, ongoing

Salary: Academic Level B - $118,481 - $140,567 p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation

School of Law and Society (SLS)

Empowerment for Future-Ready Graduates

Our vibrant school combines practicality, inspiration, and rigor to shape future-ready, socially responsible graduates. With a focus on quality teaching and learning, we prioritise employability and flexibility, equipping students with the skills to navigate complex practical, ethical, and social challenges. Our inclusive environment fosters independent thinking and collaborative teamwork. Together, we'll work towards achieving your ambitions and making a positive impact on both local and global scales. Join us in contributing and innovating for a more just future through the fields of law and society.

The Opportunity

This exciting opportunity will see you design innovative curriculum, deliver high-quality teaching, and contribute to impactful research within the fields of Social Work and Human Services. You will play a key role in building strong connections with local industry partners and national academic and professional networks, enhancing both community impact and professional reputation. Join a passionate team dedicated to making a difference by empowering students to become confident, capable, and career-ready graduates.

For more information, please visit us online: School of Law and Society

You will:

• Deliver high-quality, student-centred teaching and learning experiences, including curriculum design, assessment, feedback, and innovative use of technology across a range of delivery modes;
• Contribute to a strong research culture through scholarly output, collaborative projects, grant opportunities, and supervision of Higher Degree by Research candidates;
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with industry, community, and academic stakeholders to enhance regional, national, and international engagement; and
• Support the University’s strategic priorities through active participation in professional service, leadership, and broader institutional initiatives.

About you:

As an established academic and educator, you are deeply committed to the transformative role of social work in building inclusive, resilient, and thriving communities. You bring strong discipline expertise and contemporary practice knowledge to your teaching, research, and professional engagement, with a proven ability to connect theory with real-world social work practice. You design and deliver inclusive, engaging learning experiences that foster student success and reflect a commitment to ongoing enhancement of curriculum, teaching, and academic practice. A confident communicator and collaborative team member, you work effectively across disciplines and in partnership with community stakeholders to advance positive social outcomes and prepare the next generation of skilled, practice-ready social work professionals.

You will possess:

• Completion or near-completion of a doctoral qualification in a relevant field or equivalent accreditation and standing;
• Effectiveness as a teacher, which is evidenced by: student feedback on teaching using valid instrument/s, peer review and/or student outcomes, and the capacity to conceive, develop and deliver higher education curricula and contribute to relevant areas of teaching
• Evidence of research experience, including for example, refereed publications; participation in research teams; co-supervision of candidates for honours and/or higher degrees by research;
• Strong personal qualities and collegial approaches that contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive academic environment which is conducive to high levels of engagement and standards of achievement for both staff and students; and
• Evidence of participation in academic development activities and the desire to continue to learn and improve as an effective academic.

Desirable

• Eligible for AASW Membership and sound connections with relevant professional bodies and community groups and/or in professional practice.
• Experience undertaking academic administrative functions, e.g. course coordination, within a University.
• Significant direct practice experience in social work and ability to teach direct skills classes.
• Experience using innovative teaching approaches such as simulation-based learning, experiential learning, or practice-based teaching methods.
• Evidence of an emerging research agenda in social work or a related field, including potential to attract research funding and contribute to collaborative research projects.

Don't meet every requirement? At UniSC, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our position description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc-careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.

Position description: 494445_Lecturer Social Work.pdf

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

All applications must be lodged through our website. To apply please visit our website at Careers at UniSC

Applications for this position close midnight, Sunday 31 May 2026.

Your completed application must include: a resume, and a response to selection criteria. Noting that within the application form, we will request a statement addressing each of the selection criteria contained within the position description.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Prof Cindy Davis

Professor, Social Work - School of Law and Society

Phone: 07 5456 5908

Email: cdavis@usc.edu.au