The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Teaching and Leadership academic to lead and contribute to teaching, curriculum development, and governance within the School of Natural Sciences.

This is a strategic academic leadership role for an outstanding educator with expertise in teaching governance, curriculum leadership, and academic quality. The successful candidate will provide leadership across undergraduate and postgraduate education in conservation, climate change and ecology, driving excellence in curriculum design, pedagogical innovation, and course planning.

They will play a central role in academic governance, leading curriculum review, accreditation, quality assurance, and continuous improvement processes to ensure programs remain academically rigorous, compliant, and responsive to evolving student and industry needs. The role also requires demonstrated experience in leading, mentoring, and developing academic teaching teams, fostering a culture of educational excellence, collaboration, and evidence-informed practice across the School.

Essential selection criteria

• Demonstrated experience in curriculum design, review and innovation, with evidence of developing and delivering high-quality curricula aligned with institutional strategy and pedagogical practice.
• Demonstrated experience in course and program-level development, including curriculum planning, quality assurance, assessment and continuous improvement, with the capacity to contribute to accreditation and academic governance processes.
• Experience in fostering a positive learning and teaching culture, including supporting and mentoring academic and sessional teaching staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, student-centred and experiential learning, with evidence of approaches that enhance student engagement, learning outcomes and the student experience.
• Demonstrated leadership in education governance and strategic initiatives through participation in School, Faculty and/or University committees, working groups or equivalent activities.
• Evidence of disciplinary scholarship and professional engagement, with the capacity to develop productive relationships with industry, professional bodies and/or other external stakeholders relevant to education and the discipline.
• Demonstrated high-level communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collegially with diverse stakeholders and represent the School effectively within the University and externally.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic teaching and resource planning, including the equitable allocation of teaching workloads, alignment of teaching responsibilities with staff expertise, and delivery of curriculum within workload and budget parameters.

About You

You are an experienced and collaborative academic with a strong record of leadership in teaching, curriculum design, and academic governance. You bring demonstrated expertise in course planning, quality assurance, and program-level curriculum reform, along with the ability to mentor and support academic and sessional teaching staff. With excellent organisational and communication skills, you lead and contribute positively to School and Faculty committees, workload planning, and learning and teaching culture, while maintaining active engagement in disciplinary scholarship and external partnerships to enhance student learning and education impact.

About Us

The School of Natural Sciences is a multidisciplinary and collegial environment committed to excellence in teaching, research, and student experience. We deliver innovative, research-led education across biological, environmental, physical and molecular sciences, and value collaboration, curiosity, and impact in everything we do.

To Apply

To apply for this position, please apply online by submitting your CV and a separate cover letter (no more than 2 pages) that demonstrates how you meet the following selection criteria:

• PhD in conservation, ecology, or a closely related discipline (or near completion).
• Demonstrated strong teaching experience in undergraduate and postgraduate biology, ecology, conservation and climate change.
• Evidence of leadership in curriculum and unit design, renewal, and teaching innovation.
• Strong experience in course planning, academic governance, and quality assurance processes, including assessment design and moderation.
• Evidence of leadership, team management, and collaboration skills, including the ability to coordinate teaching teams, mentor academic and sessional staff, and contribute effectively to committees.

Role-specific Enquiries: Associate Professor Fleur Ponton, Head of School fleur.ponton@mq.edu.au.

Applications Close: Wednesday November 18th 2026 at 11:59pm (AEDT)

Please note that applications for this position are only being accepted from Australian citizens, permanent residents, and those currently residing in Australia with full working rights.

** Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date. We also reserve the right to close the advertisement early if a sufficient number of qualified applicants is received.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering at Macquarie University has a goal to increase the engagement of women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from diverse backgrounds in STEMM roles. Applications are considered holistically, and candidates are encouraged to apply even if their experience does not meet each individual selection criterion.​

Pre-Employment Checks

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.

If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account. To apply for this job: Login to Workday and go to the Careers App > Find Jobs.

Applications Close:

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A Place Where You Belong
At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.