Director Caring Futures Institute and Dean Research
Position Details
Full-Time | Fixed term (5 years)
Research (Academic) Level E| $212,873 p.a.
Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country
About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join our team as the Director of the Caring Futures Institute (CFI) and Dean of Research for the College. In this key leadership role, you will drive the College’s research vision and strategy in collaboration with the College Executive and relevant committees.
The incumbent will lead the promotion of research excellence within the College and CFI, locally and globally, and support a thriving, inclusive research culture. A strong focus will be placed on mentoring and developing early and mid-career researchers, while also investing in senior research leaders to strengthen capability and capacity.
The role involves fostering interdisciplinary research partnerships across colleges and with external stakeholders, including industry, government, health, and community organisations. The incumbent will also provide oversight of higher degree research programs, from recruitment to completion.
A key priority will be driving growth in research income by identifying opportunities, supporting grant applications, and building collaborative partnerships. Additionally, the incumbent will lead initiatives for continuous improvement in research performance, including monitoring progress and impact.
Visa and Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates
About You
A strategic and collaborative leader, you bring experience in building and managing research institutes, centres, or large research groups. Your leadership style is supportive and adaptive, enabling teams to thrive in a dynamic higher education environment.
You hold a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline and have a strong track record of high-quality research outputs. You’ve demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding and your expertise aligns with the research priorities of the College and the CFI.
You’re confident in managing complex research activities with minimal supervision, showing sound judgement and initiative. Your background includes building and sustaining research partnerships, leading multidisciplinary projects, managing budgets and resources effectively, and supervising research students through to successful completion.
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
At the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, we aim to be an innovator in contemporary education producing a safer and more resilient health and social care workforce. Our mission is to improve lives and empower communities, enabling better health and caring in the world through an exceptional student learning experience. At the College, our research mission is about co-creating new knowledge which promotes wellbeing, and better care and support, to individuals and communities across the lifespan. We work proactively with industry partners and professional bodies leading to more employable and innovative graduates.
The Caring Futures Institute is Australia’s first fully dedicated research centre for the study of self-care and caring solutions leading to better lives, better communities, better care, and better systems across the population’s lifespan. At the Caring Futures Institute, we are imagining a future where the highest standard of health and care is available for all who need it.
Life at Flinders
We're transforming and investing in people and facilities to create contemporary, stimulating, and satisfying learning and work environments that reflect our core values of excellence, innovation, courage, and integrity. Flinders is refocusing its strategic priorities with the aim of elevating its performance to be a top ten Australian university, and amongst the top 1% in the world.
Ninety per cent of Flinders research has been ranked at ‘world standard or above’ by Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them. So, why work at Flinders?
17% Superannuation + salary packaging options
Flexible working arrangements
Our commitment to wellbeing through our Thriving@Flinders initiative
Wide range of professional development activities and services, including exclusive staff study offers
We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff, as shown through our three SAGE Cygnet Awards.
Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campus health care services, gym and childcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia)
Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment
Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies.
Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan
Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy
Prescribed Conditions for Employment
A current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which is satisfactory to the University will be required by Flinders University before the successful applicant can commence in this position. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role.
Staff working in a health care setting are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in line with the SA Health policy
How to Apply and Information
You are required to submit a CV, along with a Suitability Statement as a separate document. This should be no more than 3 pages, and address the Key Position Capabilities of the Position Description
For more information regarding this position, please contact Tracy Humphrey
Certification
Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:
15 Dec 2025At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
Flinders. Fearless.