Associate Professor/ Professor and Head of Department - Occupational Therapy
Job No.: 690588
Location: Peninsula campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: Continuing appointment
Remuneration: $175,487 - $193,326 pa Level D / $226,052 pa Level E (plus 17% employer superannuation)
- Amplify your impact at a world top 50 University
- Join our inclusive, collaborative community
- Be surrounded by extraordinary ideas - and the people who discover them
The Opportunity
Shape the future of Occupational Therapy at a world‑leading university.
Monash University is seeking an exceptional academic leader to take on the dual role of Associate Professor/Professor and Head of Department – Occupational Therapy. This is a unique opportunity to lead one of Australia’s most respected departments in allied health education and research, with responsibility for a budget of approximately $20 million and direct supervision of eight staff.
As a Level D or E academic, you will be recognised as an international leader in your discipline, with an outstanding track record in research, teaching and engagement. You will foster excellence across the department, drive high‑impact research, and champion innovative, inclusive education that prepares the next generation of occupational therapy professionals.
Lead. Inspire. Transform.
The Department of Occupational Therapy at Monash University is internationally recognised for its leadership in the generation and translation of knowledge about occupation, participation and wellbeing, and is a provider of choice for undergraduate and graduate-entry occupational therapy education that is socially responsive and evidence‑based.
As the next Head of Department, you will guide a thriving academic community dedicated to building the skills, capacity and advocacy needed to address disability, disadvantage and marginalisation across the lifespan.
In This Role, You Will:
- Provide high-level strategic and academic leadership aligned with School, Faculty and University priorities
- Drive excellence in teaching, research, and professional engagement
- Lead staff development, performance management and equitable workload distribution
- Build strong relationships across Monash and with national and international partners
- Lead the development and implementation of curricula that respond to emerging occupational needs
- Actively contribute to a specialist research area, maintain a strong publication record, and pursue competitive research funding
- Supervise and mentor research students and early career academics
- Contribute significantly to the profession nationally and internationally
What You Will Bring
- A doctoral qualification and standing as a leading authority in occupational therapy or closely related field
- A strong record of high‑quality publications and competitive grant success
- A history of effective supervision of postgraduate research students
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching, curriculum innovation and educational leadership
- Proven leadership in academic governance, with a collaborative, inclusive and collegial leadership style
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build productive relationships and foster a positive departmental culture
About Monash University
At Monash, work feels different. There’s a sense of belonging, from contributing to something groundbreaking – a place where great things happen. We make tangible contributions because our purpose is clear; to deliver positive economic, social and environmental impact in resolving the global challenges of our age.
At the core of achieving this purpose is the diversity of our staff. We welcome and value everyone's contributions, lived experience and expertise. When you come to work, you can be yourself, be a change-maker and develop your career in exciting ways. This is why we champion an inclusive and respectful workplace culture where everyone is supported to succeed.
Together with our commitment to academic freedom, you will have access to quality research facilities, infrastructure, world-class teaching spaces, and international collaboration opportunities.
Learn more about Monash.
Join the pursuit of our purpose to build a better future for ourselves and our communities - #ChangeIt with us.
Monash supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements. We have a range of policies in place enabling staff to combine work and personal commitments. This includes supporting parents.
To Apply
For instructions on how to apply, please refer to 'How to apply for Monash Jobs'. Please address the following questions in your cover letter:
- How has your research program contributed to your discipline at a national or international level, and how would you further strengthen high‑impact research within the department?
- What experience do you have in leading innovative, inclusive and evidence‑based teaching and curriculum development, and how would you apply this to advance our occupational therapy programs?
- Describe your leadership style and provide examples of how you have supported staff development, mentored early‑career academics or created an equitable and collegial working environment.
- How have you built productive partnerships within universities and with external organisations (national or international), and how would you leverage these relationships to enhance the department’s impact and reputation?
Diversity is one of our greatest strengths at Monash. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, and people of all genders, sexualities, and age groups.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process at Monash. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please contact us at hr-recruitment@monash.edu in an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments Request' for a confidential discussion.
Your employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all pre-employment and/or background checks required for the role, as determined by the University.
Enquiries: Professor Terry Haines AM, Head of School, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, 9902 9409
Position Description:
Associate Professor and Head of Department
Professor and Head of Department
Applications Close: Sunday 19 April 2026, 11:55 PM AEST
Supporting a diverse workforce
