Description

•       School of Law and Society, UniSC Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs or UniSC Moreton Bay Campus, Petrie
•       Academic Level C $144,979 - $167,068 or Academic Level D, $174,423- $192,092 p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation with relocation                      assistance available
•      Two full-time, ongoing appointments available

School of Law and Society (SLS)

Empowerment for Future-Ready Graduates

Our vibrant school combines practicality, inspiration, and rigor to shape future-ready, socially responsible graduates. With a focus on quality teaching and learning, we prioritise employability and flexibility, equipping students with the skills to navigate complex practical, ethical, and social challenges. Our inclusive environment fosters independent thinking and collaborative teamwork. Together, we'll work towards achieving your ambitions and making a positive impact on both local and global scales. Join us in contributing and innovating for a more just future through the fields of law and society.

The Opportunity

The School of Law and Society at the University of the Sunshine Coast is seeking two experienced and passionate academics in Counselling: a Senior Lecturer (Level C) and an Associate Professor (Level D). These roles offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing and distinctive counselling discipline within a values-led, student-focused university environment.

You will help shape the future of counselling education at UniSC through excellence in teaching, impactful research, and strong engagement with industry and community partners. Across both roles, you will contribute to curriculum development, supervise Higher Degree by Research candidates, and strengthen the national profile and continued growth of counselling at UniSC.

You will

Senior Lecturer (Level C)

•       lead excellence in teaching and curriculum innovation in counselling education;
•       develop and maintain an active research profile with quality publications and HDR supervision;
•       contribute to academic leadership and School governance; and
•       build partnerships with industry and community stakeholders.

Associate Professor (Level D)

•       Provide academic leadership across counselling programs and discipline development;
•       Lead curriculum innovation and strategic academic initiatives;
•       Drive a strong and sustained research agenda, including competitive grant success;
•       Mentor academic staff and HDR candidates;
•       Strengthen national and international partnerships and profile; and
•       Contribute to School and University governance and leadership strategy.

About you

You are an accomplished counselling academic with a strong record of teaching, research and engagement. You are recognised for your contribution to the discipline and bring a collaborative, collegial approach to academic leadership. You are committed to high-quality, inclusive education and the development of students, colleagues, and the broader discipline. At senior levels, you demonstrate academic leadership, strategic thinking, and a strong capacity to influence positive change. At Level D, you are a nationally recognised leader with a clear vision for advancing counselling education and research.

You Will Possess

• Doctoral qualification in Counselling or a closely related field;
• Demonstrated excellence in higher education teaching, including leadership in curriculum design and delivery;
• A sustained research track record (Level C) and/or nationally and internationally recognised research leadership with evidence of impact (Level D);
• Proven success in supervising Higher Degree by Research candidates to completion;
• Strong record of engagement with industry, community and professional stakeholders to enhance impact and relevance;
• Demonstrated academic leadership experience, including contribution to governance, strategy, and/or program development;
• A collaborative, collegial and values-driven approach that strengthens academic culture and capability. 

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 details, including position descriptions, are available on the UniSC Careers website.

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au

Applications for this position close midnight, Monday 15 June 2026 

Your completed application must include:

Senior Lecturer (Level C): a resume and response to selection criteria. 
Associate Professor (Level D): a resume, cover letter, and response to selection criteria.

Noting that within the application form, applicants will be required to address each of the selection criteria contained within the position description.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. We recommend applying at your earliest convenience. Interviews will be conducted throughout July 2026.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team

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

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

Discover UniSC

We’re all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. While we’re not the largest university, we are one of the fastest growing in Australia, now with over 2,000 staff across five campuses in South East Queensland and an expanding presence in major capital cities, and we’re making a big impact every day through ground-breaking research, a strong commitment to sustainability, high-performance sport, and award-winning alumni.
We are committed to delivering high-quality research and teaching that address major global and regional challenges, with established and emerging strengths in sustainability, environmental systems, biodiversity, aquaculture, preventative health and regional resilience. Our research excellence is internationally recognised through strong performance in global benchmarking, including leading rankings in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for “Zero Hunger,” “Climate Action” and “Life on Land.” UniSC is also recognised for its teaching excellence, with a strong emphasis on student success, innovative and engaging learning experiences, and strong graduate outcomes that equip learners to make meaningful contributions in their chosen fields. As the only university operating within three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, UniSC is uniquely positioned to leverage its natural environment to advance impactful research, teaching and partnerships that support sustainable futures, with sustainability embedded across all aspects of our teaching, research and operations.
We foster a collaborative and supportive environment that encourages continuous professional development and provides the tools and resources to grow your career. We value the contributions of every team member and the role they play in our culture and success. We’re not afraid to do things differently, and we’re looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team working together to make a meaningful difference to 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