Role type: Fixed Term for 5 years, Full Time (1.0 FTE)
School/Faculty: Melbourne School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Salary: Level D/E attractive remuneration package negotiated commensurate with experience, plus 17% superannuation
Advance understanding of the social and behavioural factors shaping health / Foster inclusive scholarship and community engagement / Build a department centred on equity, wellbeing and social justice
Provide senior academic leadership in a complex research-intensive environment, fostering interdisciplinary scholarship across health, society, behaviour and equity
Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.
Leadership opportunity
The Melbourne School of Public Health is seeking an outstanding academic leader to serve as the inaugural Head of Department of Health and Society.
This newly established Department will become the University's academic home for health-related social and behavioural sciences, aspects of social epidemiology and lived experience scholarship. As Head of Department, you will shape its strategic direction, academic identity and culture while fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment that advances scholarship, education and engagement focused on health equity, lived experience and social justice.
As a member of the School Executive, you will contribute to enterprise-wide leadership and decision-making, balancing departmental priorities with broader School, Faculty and University objectives. Working closely with colleagues across the Faculty, partner health services, research institutes, community organisations and government, you will strengthen the Department's profile, influence and long-term impact.
Strategic priorities
Department leadership and establishment – Build and lead a newly created department, establishing its strategic direction, governance, culture and academic identity
Social and behavioural science and equity leadership – Advance internationally recognised research and scholarship that deepens understanding of the social, behavioural and structural determinants of health and wellbeing
Education and interdisciplinary capability – Drive innovative teaching programs and foster strong integration between research, teaching and graduate research supervision
Community engagement and lived experience partnerships – Strengthen relationships with communities, health services, government and research organisations to ensure research is grounded in lived experience and delivers meaningful impact
People, culture and enterprise leadership – Foster an inclusive, accountable and high-performing environment while contributing to School, Faculty and University-wide priorities and decision-making
About you
A Professor or Associate Professor with an internationally recognised record of achievement in social and behavioural science, health equity, lived experience research or a closely related discipline. You bring substantial leadership experience within complex academic, research, health or community environments, with the ability to shape strategy, influence across systems and lead people through change.
You have a distinguished record of research excellence, success in competitive funding and a demonstrated ability to build productive partnerships across academia, government, health services, research institutes and community organisations.
You bring a contemporary vision for a Department that integrates research, teaching and engagement across disciplines informed by social and behavioural science approaches to health and wellbeing.
Equally, you are recognised for fostering collaborative, inclusive and high-performing cultures that enable people and teams to thrive. As a values-driven academic leader, you bring the capability to balance strategic vision with operational stewardship, supporting both departmental success and broader institutional objectives while developing future academic leaders.
You bring a strong commitment to advancing equity, lived experience and community-engaged approaches that centre people, relationships and the social determinants of health.
Melbourne School of Public Health
The Melbourne School of Public Health is consistently ranked among the world’s leading schools of public health and is recognised internationally for excellence in research, teaching and engagement.
The School brings together leading researchers, educators and practitioners working across a broad range of public health disciplines to address complex local and global health challenges. Through strong partnerships with governments, health services, communities and research organisations, the School delivers evidence-based solutions that improve health outcomes and influence policy and practice.
The establishment of a department-based structure represents an important evolution in the School’s academic model, strengthening disciplinary leadership while enabling greater collaboration, innovation and impact.
Working at the University of Melbourne
We offer the opportunity to contribute within a leading global university environment, supported by flexible work arrangements, generous leave provisions, salary packaging and comprehensive health and wellbeing programs that enable sustainable senior academic leadership.
For more information check out our benefits page!
Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace where diversity is valued and all individuals are supported to succeed. Applications are welcomed from people of all backgrounds and identities. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.
We are committed to providing a barrier-free recruitment process and workplace adjustments for candidates and employees. Information on accessible recruitment and workplace adjustments is available via the University of Melbourne careers site: Accessible recruitment and adjustments
We actively support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and encourage engagement with the Indigenous Employment and Development team.
Application essentials:
Applications should include submission of a curriculum vitae, cover letter and responses to the selection criteria outlined in the Candidate Information Pack.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship and we welcome international applicants. If successful, we will support you through this process.
A Working with Children Check is required for this position. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse associated costs.
Refer to “ Apply with Us ” for application guidance.
Further information
Position enquiries: Prof. Sant-Rayn Pasricha, [email protected]
Recruitment process enquiries: Felicita Depaune, Senior Talent Partner at [email protected]
Recruitment adjustments: Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at [email protected] (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').
Applications close: Monday 13th July 2026 11:55 PM Melbourne time zone.
Candidate Information Pack: JR-014277_Head, Department of Health and Society_PD.pdf
