Faculty of Science
Reference no. 014/0116

The University of Sydney is Australia’s first university and has an outstanding global reputation for academic and research excellence. It employs over 7500 permanent staff, supporting over 52,000 students.

Lead the School of Chemistry which brings scientists together to solve some of the biggest challenges facing our world such as green chemistry, renewable energy and drug discovery, as well as delivering exceptional research in disciplinary fundamentals. This is wonderful opportunity to join the University of Sydney – Australia’s first university – at an exciting and innovative time with the release of a new strategic direction, which will build upon our outstanding global reputation of educational and research excellence. 

The Head of School, working closely with the Dean and the Dean’s Advisory Committee, and within the general outlines of the faculty strategic plan and faculty budget, is responsible for:

• providing academic leadership for the school, including having overall financial and operational responsibility
• leading and fostering a strong collaborative culture focused on academic excellence across both teaching and research, including curriculum management and reform, research development and mentorship
• supervising the academic staff within the school and the school administrative teams.

The Head of the School of Chemistry will join the six other Heads of School as a key member of the senior faculty leadership group, including serving on the Dean’s Advisory Committee. You will play a significant leadership role in the work of the faculty more generally, helping to promote effective cooperation across the schools and the faculty portfolios in light of the faculty’s strategic objectives. The Head of School is supported by a school administrative team of seven and a technical team of twenty one, including a school manager, laboratory/operations manager and a finance manager.

You will be an effective communicator, both within and outside the University, and an advocate for chemistry teaching and research more generally in the higher education sector and the broader community. Although this is a senior management role, the Head of School will be expected to continue to contribute to research and scholarship in their area of expertise. Preference may be given to candidates whose scholarship and research expertise complement the existing strengths of the school. As a professor of chemistry, you will be recognised as a leading authority in the discipline, having a demonstrated ability to maintain a research program of the highest quality supported by external research grants, and an established record in successful research supervision.

Term

The headship is available for a term of four years in the first instance, with the possibility of renewal, subject to negotiation. The successful candidate will also be offered a professorial appointment in an appropriate discipline in the school and will retain that position at the conclusion of their headship.

Apply

For more information on the position, faculty and University, please request the candidate brochure by contacting Ms Nicole Pearson, Recruitment Administrator – Senior Academic, at nicole.pearson@sydney.edu.au

All applications must be submitted via the University of Sydney careers website.  Visit sydney.edu.au/recruitment and search by the reference number for more information and to apply.

Closing date: 11.30pm 4 May 2016 (Sydney time)

The University is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. Applications from equity target groups, including women and people with disabilities are encouraged. As the University of Sydney has established a scheme to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff employed across the institution, applications from people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are also encouraged.

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.