"Professor of Midwifery and Discipline Lead"

The Opportunity

The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) is seeking an internationally recognised midwifery scholar and leader to join the School of Health as Professor of Midwifery and Discipline Lead. This is a rare opportunity to shape the direction of midwifery education and research while leading a talented academic community committed to improving outcomes for women, babies and families.

In this influential role, you will combine academic leadership with people and discipline leadership, guiding the strategic development of midwifery at UniSC while contributing to the global advancement of the profession.

You will provide whole-of-discipline leadership across research, learning and teaching, and external engagement. You will lead and mentor a team of academic staff, foster a high-performing and collegial culture, and drive the continued development of midwifery programs that produce outstanding graduates ready to meet the evolving needs of healthcare systems and communities.

Working closely with the Dean and senior leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening the discipline’s academic profile, research performance and national standing, while ensuring the continued quality, relevance and accreditation of UniSC’s midwifery programs.

Beyond your personal academic contribution, you will play a critical role in developing people and capability within the discipline. As Discipline Lead, you will guide academic staff across career stages, supporting research productivity, teaching excellence and professional development.

The position is primarily based at UniSC’s Sunshine Coast campus and may require work across campuses during the academic year.

For more information on the School of Health, please visit us online: https://www.unisc.edu.au/about/structure/schools/school-of-health

You will:

• Lead an internationally recognised research program that advances knowledge and delivers meaningful impact in midwifery and maternal health.
• Secure competitive research funding and build collaborative research teams and partnerships nationally and internationally.
• Provide scholarly leadership in learning and teaching, driving innovation in curriculum design and student engagement.
• Supervise and mentor Higher Degree by Research candidates, developing the next generation of midwifery researchers.
• Represent UniSC and the discipline through professional networks, policy engagement and leadership within the broader midwifery community.

About you:

You are an internationally respected midwifery scholar and academic leader with the vision and credibility to shape the future of the discipline. Your research is recognised for its quality, impact and contribution to advancing midwifery practice and policy, supported by a strong track record of competitive funding, influential publications and the successful supervision of higher degree researchers. You are committed to excellence in learning and teaching and bring the leadership required to drive innovation in curriculum and educational practice, ensuring graduates are well prepared to meet the evolving needs of women, families and healthcare systems.

Equally important, you are a collaborative and strategic leader who is motivated by the opportunity to build and lead a high-performing academic discipline. You bring experience guiding academic teams, mentoring colleagues across career stages and fostering a culture of research excellence, teaching quality and professional engagement. Well connected across the profession and the broader health sector, you build strong partnerships that strengthen the discipline, enhance student learning and translate scholarship into meaningful impact for communities.

You will demonstrate:

• Registration as a Midwife with AHPRA and a doctoral qualification in midwifery or a related field
• International recognition and influence in midwifery research and scholarship
• A strong record of competitive research funding, high-quality publications and HDR supervision
• Experience leading academic teams or disciplines within a university environment
• A commitment to developing people, building research capability and fostering a positive academic culture
• Experience with or understanding of ANMAC accreditation processes for midwifery programs
• The ability to build strategic partnerships across healthcare, research and professional communities

How to apply

All applications must be lodged through the Careers at UniSC website.

Applications for this position close midnight, 13 April 2026.

Position description: 494182_position description_Prof of Midwifery and DL.pdf

Your application should include:

• Resume
• A cover letter not to exceed one page. This statement should outline your skills, knowledge and qualities that will make you a success at UniSC.
• A response to key selection criteria. You must respond to this within the application form for this job.

Interested in understanding the broader context of this role? Visit our Candidate Information Page to learn more about the midwifery discipline, leadership expectations and the strategic priorities for this opportunity.

If you have any questions about the position or for a confidential discussion, please contact:

Professor Tony Perkins, Dean, School of Health
Email: deanSH@usc.edu.au

or

Kristie Husk, Talent Acquisition Manager
Email: khusk@usc.edu.au Tel: +61 418 884 610