Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation)
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Posted on:
18 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
The University of Newcastle is seeking an outstanding research and innovation leader to join its Executive Leadership Team as DeputyVice-Chancellor(Research & Innovation) (DVC R&I).
This isan excitingopportunity to shape the future of a globally recognisedresearch-intensiveuniversity at a moment of strong momentum. The DVC R&I will play a pivotal role in advancing research excellence driving innovation and translation and ensuring the Universitys research delivers meaningful impact for its regionsAustraliaand the world.
The University of Newcastle is a top250global institution recognised for its research excellence industry collaboration equityleadershipand impact.
Guided by its vision to be aworld leadinguniversity for its regions the University is bold in ambition and deeply connected to place withitsLooking Ahead 2030 strategy settinga clear shared directionfor how the Universitywill serve its communities support its people anddeliver real impact over the next five years.
Research and innovation sit at the heart of this mission. Backed by flagship institutes including the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) and the Institute for Regional Futures (IRF) the University delivers interdisciplinary research translated intoreal worldoutcomes across health energy resourcessustainabilityand social futures.
The Opportunity
As a member of the University Executive the DVC R&Iprovides strategicinnovativeand accountable leadership of the Universitys research enterprise. The roleis responsible forpositioning the University as a global leader in research and innovation that serves its regions driving excellence qualityimpactand engagement.
The incoming DVC R&I will build on strong foundations while shaping the next phase of growthstrengthening research performance expanding industry and global partnerships accelerating translation and commercialisation and fostering a vibrant inclusive research culture.
Key Challenges and Priorities
This role requires a leader who canoperateconfidently at both strategic andoperationallevels balancing ambition with execution in a complex and evolving environment.
Key priorities include:
- Driving research excellence and impact
- Building research scale quality and influence through a clear strategic agenda that strengthens competitive performance global reputation and measurable impact.
- Sustaining and diversifying research income
- Growing competitive grant success while expandingindustry derivedincomephilanthropyand contract research supported by strong analytics andevidence-baseddecision-making.
- Translation commercialisation and entrepreneurship
- Advancing research translation through IP development licensingspinoutsandventure creation including oversight oftheUniversitysstartup incubatorand contract research entity.
- Strengthening flagship institutes and partnerships
- Championing HMRI NIER and IRF and building major national and international partnerships with industry governmentNGOsand global universities.
- Research culture capability and talent
- Developing the next generation of research leaders strengthening HDR experience and outcomes and embedding recognition and reward systems that value impactengagementand translation alongside traditional metrics.
- Governanceintegrityand risk
- Ensuring ethicalsafeand compliant research practice including national security foreign interference datagovernanceand research integrity obligations.
- Infrastructure and digital platforms
- Leading strategic investment in research infrastructure shared facilities and digital research platforms that support open science sustainability andlongtermreturn on investment.
About You
You will be a distinguished academic leader with an international reputation and aproventrack recordof senior leadership within aresearch-intensiveuniversity or comparable environment.
The University of Newcastle is seeking a leader who combines intellectual credibility with strategic acumen and who understands how to translate research excellence intoreal worldimpact.
You will bring:
- An excellentresearch record and deep understanding of contemporary research ecosystems in Australia and internationally.
- Demonstrated success in leading largescale research portfolios including strategy performance uplift and delivery of measurable outcomes.
- A strongtrack recordin research income growth industry collaboration and partnership development.
- An entrepreneurial mindset with experience in research translationcommercialisationand innovation systems.
- A clear commitment to equity Indigenous research prioritiessustainabilityand social impact.
- Superiorinterpersonal skills and the ability to act as anambassador for the University inhigh-levelnational and international forums.
- A leadership style that is collaborativevalues drivenand enablingthat fosterstrust accountability and high performance across diverse disciplines and professional teams.
Why the University of Newcastle
The University of Newcastle offers a distinctive executive leadership environmentthat isregionally anchored globally connected and purpose driven.
The University is recognised as a national leader in equity and access including itssector leadingOpen Foundation program and its strong commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and onlyUNcentre CIFAL Newcastle one of the globalnetworkof United Nations/UNITAR International Training and Outreach centres.
With major investments in research infrastructure innovationprecinctsand regional campusesincluding the newCentralCoastfacilitythe University is well positioned for its next phase of growth. Newcastle and theHunter regionoffer an exceptional lifestyle vibrantcultureand strong community connection.
How to Apply
To request a copy of the candidate brochure or to havean initialconversation please contact:
Dr Courtenay Atwell
Confidential discussions are encouraged.
Applications are to besubmittedby midnight on Monday 27thApril 2026 to
Please do not apply through the Universitys recruitment system.
The University of Newcastle is proud to be one of the first two Universities in Australia to achieve SAGE Athena Swan Silver Accreditation for gender equity diversity and inclusion (GEDI).
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal Darkinjung Biripai Worimi Wonnarua and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.
