Position Statement

James Cook University (JCU) is situated in the vibrant regional community of northern Queensland adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Areas. It is Australia's leading tropical research university and is the leading Australian University in the ISI field of Ecology and Environment. The University wishes to make a senior appointment to provide academic leadership, energy and vision, combined with strategic insight and skills, to enhance and manage existing teaching and research programs in the School of Marine and Tropical Biology.

The School has an outstanding international reputation for research and teaching. The teaching programmes emphasise whole-organism biology and there are well-established undergraduate and postgraduate programs in aquaculture, agriculture, ecology, evolutionary biology, marine biology, genetics, plant sciences and zoology that serve a wide range of domestic and international students. Marine and Tropical Biology is the strongest research school at JCU and enjoys excellent external research income and high levels of publication. We have over 300 postgraduate students (including 90+ PhDs) enrolled in the School, across a range of disciplines. There are currently 43 full-time academic staff, 35 research staff, 44 adjunct staff and 30 technical and professional staff across two campuses (Townsville and Cairns).

We are seeking to appoint a Head of School who will have substantial academic experience in an appropriate area of biology, who has an active and distinguished research profile and who has a commitment to and experience in the highest standards of teaching and research. Experience with and a commitment to strong engagement with external partner organizations, government agencies, community groups and private companies is essential. The successful applicant will also be experienced in working in a multidisciplinary research and teaching environment.

Duties and Accountabilities

• The Head will assume a senior leadership role within the Faculty and University.

• The Head of School will be responsible to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Science, Engineering and IT) for providing vision and leadership in maintaining and strengthening the teaching and research profile in the School, contributing to program development managing the School, contributing collaboratively to the Faculty, and related duties.

Key Selection Criteria

1. 1.

   PhD in a relevant field of biology;

2. 2.

   Distinguished record of high quality research and scholarship relevant to an appropriate area of biology;

3. 3.

   Demonstrable high-level strategic leadership and management skills, and a well developed understanding of current and emerging trends in tertiary education;

4. 4.

   Substantial experience of curriculum development in modern and flexible approaches to teaching and learning;

5. 5.

   Significant administrative experience at a senior level relevant to the tertiary education sector or equivalent career experience especially with regard to multi-campus and multi-disciplinary operations;

6. 6.

   Demonstrated capacity to work in a multidisciplinary teaching and research environment

7. 7.

   A commitment to maintaining an active research profile;

8. 8.

   Demonstrated success in generating alternative sources of funding through off-campus and offshore programs, tailored short courses and other entrepreneurial initiatives relevant to biological sciences;

9. 9.

   Commitment to mutually beneficial engagement with external partners in the field of biology.

Enquiries

Academic Position Classification Standards

Method of Application

Applicants must provide a full statement of qualifications and career, a statement systematically addressing the Selection Criteria, a teaching profile, a completed Summary Application Form, the name and addresses of three persons who have consented to act as referees and address it to the Recruitment Officer, Human Resources, telephone (07) 4781 6586; e-mail jcu.recruitment@jcu.edu.au

Alternatively the application may be lodged electronically by using the on-line facility Apply online for this job