- Ongoing, full time position
- 80 hours per fortnight with monthly ADO's
- $180,330.80 - $260,000 base + salary packaging + super + 5-weeks annual leave
At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.
YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE
Professor of Cancer Nursing / Nursing Research Program Lead
About the team
The Centre for Health Services Research in Cancer (CHSRC) Nursing Research Program Lead role is part of the leadership team in cancer research, specifically in the CHSRC. The roles’ primary function is to provide strategic leadership in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of new and ongoing initiatives for research at Peter Mac.
About the role
This position will lead the identification and planning of the nursing research priorities, grant development, and ongoing management support in collaboration with other research program leads, researchers and nursing leadership teams.
This position is responsible for but not limited to:
- Extensive involvement in the development of manuscripts for publication.
- Providing strategic leadership, mentorship and sponsorship for the nursing research program.
- Lead the development and implementation of nursing research capacity building activities/programs across the organisation.
- Lead decisions about future projects, grant proposals, and funding opportunities.
- Lead the development, of collaborative grant proposals and submissions to local, national and international funding schemes, including supporting Early-Mid career researcher submissions.
This position is:
- Ongoing, full time
- Onsite presence essential at 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
- Basic salary range: $180,330.80 to $260,000 AUD p.a. (dependant on qualifications and experience)
- Advertising from 23 March 2026 to 12 July 2026
About you
You will have a track record of successful leadership in research capacity building, with a strong vision for building, leading, sustaining and growing an innovative research program.
You'll bring with you:
- A Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent (if international)
- A PhD or equivalent in nursing research or relevant area
- A track record and reputation of excellence in research, nationally and/or internationally
- Demonstrated ability to obtain and lead significant collaborative national and /or international competitive research grants
- Demonstrated skills in developing and implementing strategic research plans
- A strong track record of research publications in peer-reviewed highly ranked international journals
- Demonstrated skills and experience in developing and leading research collaborations nationally and/or internationally
- A track record of successful supervision of postgraduate and higher degree students
- Excellent oral and written communication skills suitable for a variety of audiences including academic peers and collaborators, clinicians, industry, community, policy makers and government.
- Commitment to the highest standards of scientific and ethical integrity
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, with excellence in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders (internal and external) at all times, with the capacity to nurture a collegial organisational culture based on shared values and priorities
A Master of Nursing Practice and/or, Master of Advanced Nursing Practice, Master of Nursing Science, Master of Philosophy or experience working within an acute public health service will be an advantage.
Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:
- Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay
- Discounted health insurance and eye care
- A comprehensive health and wellbeing program
- Public transport options at our doorstep and end of trip facilities for cyclists
- Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces
- Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities
- Five weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, purchased leave options & monthly ADO's
- Flexible, hybrid working practices
Inclusion and belonging
Peter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.
Join us!
If you feel this role is right for you we warmly invite you to apply, and encourage your early application. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check and may include vaccination requirements. Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.
Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.
For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.
Hiring Manager: Prof. Karin Thursky 0414 996 649 / Tennille Lewin 0400 985 280
Emails: [email protected] / [email protected]
Applications Close: 12 July 2026
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Program Leads at Peter Mac are leaders in their fields with fundamental, clinical research and Health Services Research expertise. They will have a track record of excellence in research outputs benchmarked internationally and have demonstrated significant leadership skills.
The Centre for Health Services Research in Cancer (CHSRC) Nursing Research Program Lead role is part of the leadership team in cancer research, specifically in the CHSRC. The roles’ primary function is to provide strategic leadership in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of new and ongoing initiatives for research at Peter Mac.
A priority of the role is to achieve the aspirations and goals of the CHSRC strategic objectives that align with the broader Peter Mac Research Strategy; Specifically, it has a key role in the growth of the health services research portfolio. Possessing a comprehensive understanding of the clinical and health services research environments, the role will define and implement strategic projects and programs as directed by the Director of the Centre for Health Services Research.
The CHSRC has a broad range of programs including Clinical Informatics, Health Economics, Survivorship, Digital Health Data, Policy, Implementation Science, Allied Health, Quantitative Biostatistics and Cancer Nursing Research. Within each of these programs, we may appoint co-Program Leads or sole Program Leads (depending on strategic need). Program Leads and Co-Program Leads will provide strategic leadership, mentorship and sponsorship across the program.
Specifically, this position will lead the identification and planning of the nursing research priorities, grant development, and ongoing management support in collaboration with other research program leads, researchers and nursing leadership teams. They will be extensively involved in the development of manuscripts for publication, and actively contribute to the CHSRC strategy. This role will also shape cancer nursing research at precinct, state and national levels.
Also, in collaboration with the Peter Mac’s Communications team, this role will be the
primary support for communications-related activities for health services research
NURSES AND MIDWIVES (VICTORIAN PUBLIC SECTOR) SINGLE INTEREST EMPLOYER AGREEMENT 2024-2028
Div/Clinical Director - 8A Campus: RN61
Immunisation Risk Category B
Internal
- CHSRC Executive Committee members
- CHSRC Program Leads
- CHSRC research and support staff
- Peter Mac Research Executive members
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Cancer Research Faculty Members: program and tumour stream research leads, research managers, research staff and students
- Office of Cancer Research staff
- Professional Services staff
- Office of Cancer Education
- Office of Cancer Research
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation
- Collaborators and clinical research staff and students
External
- Peter Mac patients, carers and supporters
- Parkville Precinct partner organisations (E.g. Royal Melbourne Hospital)
- Parkville Local Health Service Network Organisations (E.g. Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Parkville Youth mental Health and Wellbeing Service)
- VCCC Alliance member hospitals, rural and regional hospitals managing cancer
- Collaborating investigators/researchers and their support staff at other institutions (E.g. MCRI)
- Collaborators and researchers from international institutions
- Healthcare and Industry partners as determined by Peter Mac
- Including Universities & Professional Bodies Eg. CNSA
- National & International licensing & accrediting bodies
- External regulatory bodies
- Research funding bodies
Essential requirements
- A Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent (if international)
- A PhD or equivalent in nursing research or relevant area
- A track record and reputation of excellence in research, nationally and/or internationally
- A vision for building, leading, sustaining and growing an innovative research program
- A track record of successful leadership in research capacity building
- Demonstrated ability to obtain and lead significant collaborative national and /or international competitive research grants
- Demonstrated skills in developing and implementing strategic research plans
- A strong track record of research publications in peer-reviewed highly ranked international journals
- Demonstrated skills and experience in developing and leading research collaborations nationally and/or internationally
- A track record of successful supervision of postgraduate and higher degree students
- Excellent oral and written communication skills suitable for a variety of audiences including academic peers and collaborators, clinicians, industry, community, policy makers and government.
- Commitment to the highest standards of scientific and ethical integrity
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, with excellence in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders (internal and external) at all times, with the capacity to nurture a collegial organisational culture based on shared values and priorities
Desirable requirements
- Master of Nursing Practice and/or, Master of Advanced Nursing Practice, Master of Nursing Science, Master of Philosophy
- Experience working within an acute public health service
Key Accountabilities
Demonstrated By/Key Performance Indicators
1. Strategic Innovation
- Provide strategic leadership for the nursing research program
- Report to the CHSRC Executive Committee, and as required to Research Executive and Peter Mac board.
- Support the Associate Director and Centre Manager to deliver strategic objectives as set out in the CHSRC strategic plan (2025-2030)
- Contribute to the overall research strategy for Peter Mac Research
- Operationalisation of CHSRC research strategy, ensuring it aligns with Peter Mac’s research, education and broader organisation strategic plans and activities
2. Research Leadership
- Provide leadership, mentorship and sponsorship to staff within the Nursing Research Program
- Foster, establish and lead interactions with key internal and external investigators to enhance existing and establish new collaborative initiatives, including research institutes, universities and funding bodies.
- Successfully mentor higher research degree students, early and mid-career nurse researchers
- Actively promote and support the development and implementation of nursing research career pathways, clinical and academic, Eg. PhD and Professional Doctorate.
- Lead the development and implementation of nursing research capacity building activities/programs across the organisation
- Ability to support research leadership within Peter Mac and assist in organisation initiatives as required
- Strong engagement with appropriate internal and external stakeholder groups
- Provide leadership and engagement with the various communities (public, research and government) to elevate awareness of educational, clinical and research developments, and promote critical enquiry
- Actively participate and engage on Peter Mac committees and/or working groups
- Ensure a regular program seminar series is in place and is promoted throughout the organisation
- Perform annual performance appraisals of all staff within the Nursing Research Program
3. Research Development
- Lead decisions about future projects, grant proposals, and funding opportunities
- Lead the development, of collaborative grant proposals and submissions to local, national and international funding schemes, including supporting Early-Mid career researcher submissions
- Contribution to output of timely publications in peer review journals
- Communicate and foster collaborative relationships with other Cancer Research Divisions
- Represent Peter Mac research at national and international conferences to promote our work and coordinate appropriate meetings with stakeholders.
- Present, and support program team members to present at local, national and international conferences/seminars.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC
- Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
- Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
- We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.
