• School of Law and Society, UniSC Sunshine Coast Campus in Sippy Downs or UniSC Moreton Bay, in Petrie
• Level D, $174,423 - $192,092 plus up to 17% employer superannuation
• Full-time, ongoing opportunity

The opportunity

The School of Law and Society at the University of the Sunshine Coast is seeking an accomplished Associate Professor in Counselling to provide academic leadership and meaningfully contribute across teaching, research and engagement.

This is a career‑defining opportunity to shape the future of counselling education at UniSC. You will play a pivotal role in strengthening the discipline’s national profile through high‑quality curriculum, impactful research, and deep engagement with industry, community and professional stakeholders.

You will contribute to the continued growth of UniSC’s counselling programs, mentor emerging academics and researchers, supervise Higher Degree by Research candidates, and help build a vibrant, values‑led academic culture.

As a smaller, values‑led university, UniSC offers senior academics the opportunity to lead with visibility and influence. Your expertise will directly shape program direction, research priorities and partnerships, with impact that is both tangible and recognised.

With the opportunity to join us at either our Sippy Downs or Moreton Bay location, this role offers both professional influence and lifestyle flexibility in one of Queensland’s fastest‑growing regions.

You will

• Provide academic leadership in counselling education, delivering high‑quality, contemporary teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate programs
• Contribute the design and evolution of innovative, research‑informed curricula aligned to professional and industry standards
• Drive a focused and impactful research agenda, producing high‑quality publications and contributing to national research standing
• Secure and lead externally funded research projects and collaborative research initiatives
• Supervise and mentor Higher Degree by Research candidates, Early Career Researchers and Early Career Academics
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with industry, community and professional bodies to enhance student outcomes and community impact
• Contribute to School and University governance, strategy and academic leadership initiatives
• Model inclusive, ethical and collegial leadership that strengthens academic culture and capability

About the School of Law and Society

The School of Law and Society brings together disciplines that shape ethical, socially responsible and future ready graduates. The School is recognised for its practical and socially responsive approach to education and research, with strong industry and community connections that prepare graduates to navigate complex legal, social and human challenges.

Counselling at UniSC is a growing and distinctive discipline, recognised for its relational and practice focused approach, commitment to evidence informed practice, and focus on meaningful outcomes for individuals and communities.

For more information on the School of Law and Society, please visit us online:
https://www.usc.edu.au/about/schools/school-of-law-and-society

About you

You are a respected academic leader in counselling with a strong national profile and a clear vision for the discipline’s future. You bring depth in research, excellence in teaching, and the credibility to lead, influence and mentor others.

You thrive in collaborative and collegial environments, value real‑world impact, and are motivated by the opportunity to make a visible and meaningful contribution. You are drawn to settings where your leadership, expertise and judgement directly shape the growth of programs and the discipline itself, delivering outcomes that matter for students, the profession and the communities UniSC serves.

To be successful you will possess:

• A doctoral qualification in counselling or a closely related field
• A strong, sustained research track record with nationally recognised outputs and impact
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding and leading research programs
• Excellence in teaching, including leadership in curriculum design and learning and teaching innovation
• Experience supervising Higher Degree by Research candidates to completion
• A proven ability to mentor and develop academic staff and build research capability
• Strong engagement experience with industry, community and professional stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership that contributes to positive academic culture and governance

Why UniSC?

Working at UniSC offers a level of influence and professional visibility that is increasingly rare in larger, more complex institutions. As a senior academic, your expertise will assist to shape direction, not sit within it.

At a smaller university, leadership is closer, decision‑making is faster, and individual contribution is genuinely recognised. You will have the opportunity to influence curriculum, research priorities, partnerships and culture in meaningful ways, with your impact clearly visible across the School and the University.

This environment particularly suits established academics who value:

• Direct influence on disciplinary growth and strategic direction
• Strong collegiality and collaboration across disciplines
• Visibility and recognition for leadership, research and engagement
• A balance between ambition, impact and quality of academic life

At UniSC, our senior academics are trusted to lead, supported to succeed, and empowered to make a difference.

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.

How to apply?

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

Applications for this position close midnight, Monday 15 June 2026.

Your completed application must include a resume, cover letter, 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.

Position description:  494330_Associate Professor in Counselling.pdf

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

Associate Professor Timothy Peters, Interim Dean, School of Law and Society
Telephone: 07 5456 5197
Email: DeanSLS@usc.edu.au

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.

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

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

Discover UniSC

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We’re not the biggest university. But we’re growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.

We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland and a growing footprint in major capital cities.

Teaching excellence is at the heart of what we do, and our commitment to sustainability is integrated into our teaching, research, and daily operations. According to the latest Good Universities Guide, UniSC has five‑star ratings in key areas including teaching quality, overall educational experience, learning resources, skills development, social equity, and student support, ranking us among the top public universities nationally for student satisfaction.

Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 13 fields ranked well above world standard in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) rankings. Globally, UniSC is now placed in the top 501–600 institutions in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and ranks first in Queensland in sustainability impact, reflecting the quality, relevance, and societal impact of our work.

At UniSC you will have the opportunity to shape the educational landscape and inspire the minds of future generations. We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging continuous professional development and providing resources to enhance your teaching and research endeavours.

We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve our local and global challenges.

Our Culture & Benefits:

• Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
• Modern teaching & research facilities.
• Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
• We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
• Flexible work arrangements & generous leave options.
• Salary packing options + 17% Super.
• EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.