Senior Lecturer Social Change and Education Policy

Role type: Full time, fixed term (four years)
Faculty: Education
Department/School: Education and Society
Salary: Level C - $152,695 - $176,065 p.a. plus 17% super

• Shape education systems through critical policy scholarship / drive social change with impactful research / teach diverse future educators
• Join a collaborative academic community to advance education policy scholarship and inspire students committed to social justice
• Investing in you – 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity
You will lead innovative teaching and research on social change, education policy and governance. You will design and coordinate subjects across undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including online and blended delivery. You will collaborate with colleagues and partners to influence educational futures locally, nationally and internationally.

What you will deliver:

• Design, deliver and coordinate engaging subjects on social change and education policy across undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
• Embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and diverse social justice perspectives throughout curricula and teaching practice.
• Build a high-quality research programme, securing competitive funding and publishing in leading international outlets.
• Supervise Graduate Research students and contribute to research projects focused on education policy and social change.
• Contribute academic leadership and service through committees, professional associations and collaborative partnerships with external stakeholders.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold a PhD or research doctorate in education or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrate strong expertise in education policy, governance and social change, including contemporary theoretical and policy debates.
• Show a developing track record of high-quality publications and success in securing competitive research funding.
• Bring experience designing, coordinating and delivering tertiary subjects, with confidence using digital and blended pedagogies.
• Provide evidence of effective Graduate Research supervision or co-supervision within relevant fields.
• Engage collaboratively across disciplines and with external partners, including communities, governments and professional associations.

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you!
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning

• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave, cultural leave, and menstruation and menopause leave.

• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company

• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your new team – Faculty of Education
Within the Faculty of Education, the School of Education and Society brings together scholars committed to understanding education as a public, relational and ethical endeavour. The team leads impactful research and teaching that informs policy, professional practice and system reform, with a strong focus on equity, inclusion and sustainability. You will join a collegial community that values innovation, partnership and research-led teaching to shape more just educational futures.

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at [email protected].

Application essentials:

• Visit "apply with us" to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role
• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
• Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.
• Please upload your responses to the Selection Criteria, found in the Position Description. Learn more about responding to Selection Criteria

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position, contact Marcia McKenzie at [email protected]
• For questions related to our recruitment process email Nick Petersen at [email protected]
• For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at [email protected] (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').

Apply today, and join a community that’s shaping the future.

Applications close: Sunday 25 October 2026 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.

Position Description -

Word: JR-019132_Senior Lecturer, Social Change and Education Policy_PD.docx

PDF: JR-019132_Senior Lecturer, Social Change and Education Policy_PD.pdf