Associate Lecturer in Social Design

• Full-time 12 months fixed term position, located on the Camperdown Campus at The Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning

• Contribute to teaching and research in Design at The School of Architecture, Design and Planning

• Base Salary, level A $113,634 p.a. - $125,896 p.a. + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning (ADP) is an internationally acknowledged centre for intellectual and creative research, attracting the highest quality scholars in Australia and is committed to a sustainable future for Sydney and the world.

Creatively combining the disciplines of Architecture, Urbanism and Design, we explore how cities, spaces, buildings, technologies, and services can better meet the needs of people and society. Our educators and researchers are experimental, imaginative, and critical, innovating at the boundaries of their disciplines and creating exciting and engaging learning experiences for our students – the global citizens of tomorrow.

Design is a rapidly growing and highly successful discipline within the school. Our design research explores the role of design in speculating on the future, and to envision, define and inform the interactions and experiences between people and digital and emerging technologies. Pushing the boundaries of pedagogical practice in interaction and innovation, we encourage our students to critically rethink and prototype new objects, systems, experiences, and materials that shape human experience and life on the planet through the lens of design. Recognising that design cannot happen in isolation, we actively collaborate across disciplines and with external partners, including industry, not-for-profit, government and community groups and organisations.

The school is now seeking to appoint an outstanding academic at the level of Associate Lecturer in Design to join our rapidly growing and highly successful discipline.

Reporting to Associate Professor Luke Hespanhol, your key responsibilities will be to:

• coordinate and teach across our growing design programs, particular Social Design units in the Bachelor of Design and Master of Design

• develop curriculum and delivery in whole or part of selected core and elective units of study, including design studios where appropriate

• make a significant research contribution to the School.

About you

We are seeking an exceptional Senior Lecturer in Interaction Design Practice who has:

• a PhD in design or cognate field

• an emerging track record of original, high-quality and independent research within the field of Social Design, with ability to articulate the social impact of Design

• experience and evidence of teaching and learning in an academic setting

• demonstrated success in designing, implementing and evaluating teaching and learning initiatives which inform curriculum development

• a developing network of relationships with key academic, industry and professional institutions, partners and stakeholders

• a collegial approach and willingness to contribute to mentoring others, academic governance, engagement, and administration.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Helen Efstathiou, Recruitment Consultant, Recruitment Operations on +61 2 8627 7137 or by email [email protected]

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

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Thursday 17 September 2026 11:59 PM