• Based at our Geelong, Waurn Ponds Campus + hybrid work arrangements
• Two full-time and continuing opportunities
• Level D $165,549 - $182,092 + 17% Superannuation

Who are we?

The National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation (NIKERI) Institute has a proud 35-year history of supporting over 1000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People through community-based education programs. Read more about the Institute at https://www.deakin.edu.au/indigenous-students/study/nikeri-institute

Deakin campuses sit on Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, and Eastern Maar Countries, and the University acknowledges, values and deeply respects its connection with the Traditional Custodians and Elders past and present of these lands and waterways. Deakin is the most popular university destination in Victoria for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and has a rich history of supporting the ambitions of First Nations students, including through the NIKERI Institute (formerly the Institute of Koorie Education).

About the role:

The NIKERI Institute is committed to leading innovative teaching, learning, and research. We are seeking an Indigenous academic with a background in either education, law, health, or Indigenous Studies to join our team and take on a key role in designing and developing courses and materials that enhance the learning experience for our students. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to research and creative activities that make a real impact, both within the academic community and beyond.

We are looking for someone with strength in their discipline, who can lead and collaborate on projects that promote national recognition of excellence in Indigenous higher education. You will be responsible for driving high-quality research, developing partnerships, and ensuring that your work brings positive change to both the field and the community. If you are passionate about making a difference and have the expertise to lead in teaching and research, we encourage you to apply.

As Associate Professor, Indigenous Knowledges, you will:

Education and Employability

• Lead teaching teams to innovate curriculum design, influencing units and courses across disciplines and refining them university-wide. Integrate industry, clinical, and research practices into course design nationally or at peer institutions.
• Lead the adoption of innovative teaching practices and deliver learner-centric, research-informed instruction across various levels and delivery modes.
• Design collaborative learning opportunities that engage learners, teachers, and the community, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in resources.
• Lead the development and implementation of effective assessments, providing clear criteria and feedback to enhance learning outcomes. Support student services to optimize academic success.
• Build a culture of collaboration and excellence across disciplines, strengthening teaching teams and enhancing pedagogical practices. Lead mentoring programs and integrate new pedagogical research, securing resources for related projects and providing intellectual leadership in teaching and scholarship at a national level.

Research and Innovation

• Lead teams to secure funding for research, creative activities, and commercialization, demonstrating sustained success in competitive external funding applications.
• Demonstrate a growing national and international reputation for excellence, with a strong track record of timely outcomes for industry partners.
• Lead development of interdisciplinary research collaborations to enable breakthroughs and solutions to complex problems.
• Support and develop university research collaboration and industry partnerships to drive innovative solutions and real-world impact.
• Lead major innovation projects with national recognition, demonstrating timely delivery of commercialization and translation outcomes.

To be successful, you’ll have:

• PhD in a relevant discipline .
• Knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and contemporary issues.
• Deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols, respect and communication.
• A demonstrated understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems and their relationship with western frameworks.
• Distinguished scholarly learning and teaching in UG and PG programs, including innovative curriculum design and supervision to doctoral level.
• Demonstrated success as an eminent authority at the national and international level in research and scholarship through high quality publications, and exhibitions as relevant to the discipline.
• Success in obtaining competitive external research grants
• Successful engagement with research, community, industry and government to enhance the national and international standing of the faculty.
• Evidence of original, innovative and distinguished contribution to research and research supervision.
• Demonstrated success and passion for leadership of teaching, research and/or administration.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive collaborations within discipline and multidisciplinary teams.

Eligibility:

Eligible applicants are only persons:

• of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
• who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume, a short cover letter and responses to the Key Selection Criteria.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Karinda Burns (Director, NIKERI Institute) on karinda.burns@deakin.edu.au

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 Associate Professor_Indigenous Knowledges PD (Updated).pdf

Applications for this position close on 7^th January 2025 at 11:55pm.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

In line with special measure provisions in Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act (2010), the University will only be accepting applications for this position from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.