Associate Professor/Professor of First Peoples Health

Every institution values excellence. What matters most is why.
Griffith was created to be a different type of university. You’ll find we’re about leading research, academic excellence, and the transformative power of education. But what sets us apart is why those things matter and how you’ll achieve them.

Why? Griffith brings together exceptional minds like yours from across the globe and from all walks of life. Here, we do incredible work, questioning and challenging, always in the pursuit of excellence.

The School of Medicine and Dentistry strives to prepare the next generation of professionals and practitioners to tackle health and healthcare challenges in an ever-changing world. As a community, we are committed to building better health outcomes for all by delivering high-quality education, impactful research and engagement with and for the communities we serve. As articulated in our Strategic Plan, we commit to the University's values and, importantly, to being a School for Country, place, communities and the people we serve. Through our learning and teaching, we strive to produce graduates who are confident, competent and resilient to be agents for change.

First Peoples employment at Griffith 
Griffith University is committed to increasing First Peoples employment across all areas and levels of the University, with a dedicated First Peoples Employment Action Plan and Reconciliation Statement in place. We are also committed to ensuring that First Peoples staff employed at Griffith feel a sense of community, connection, and collaboration.  

By becoming a staff member at Griffith, whether in an Academic or Professional role, you can opt in to our First Peoples Staff Network enabling you to attend regular events across all campuses where you can network with other First Peoples staff at Griffith, and also be notified of career development and progression opportunities allowing First Peoples staff to grow into more senior roles.

The Associate Professor/Professor of First Peoples Health is expected to make a significant contribution to all activities of the School and the Health Group and play a significant leadership role within the discipline. The incumbent will make substantial distinctive contributions to teaching, research and engagement within their discipline area, and will make major original and innovative contributions to the field of expertise which are recognised as outstanding nationally or internationally.

The Associate Professor/Professor in First Peoples Health will lead a dedicated team embedding First Peoples perspectives and knowledges across the School of Medicine and Dentistry to enhance curriculum content, research and engagement both internally and externally to Griffith University. The position holds specific responsibility for the development and implementation of high-quality teaching and assessment in First Peoples health in the Griffith Doctor of Medicine program, ensuring its alignment and vertical integration across all preclinical and clinical years of teaching; as well as in other programs in the School of Medicine and Dentistry. The position is expected to provide professional and cultural leadership in First Peoples health within the School of Medicine and Dentistry.

The position will be based primarily at the Gold Coast campus of Griffith University; however, as a multi-campus institution it is the expectation that the incumbent will undertake regular visits to the Sunshine Coast Health Institute/Sunshine Coast University Hospital, as well as to our rural sites across the Darling Downs.

Ideally, the successful candidate would be available to commence in the role no later than July 2025.

This is a part-time (0.5 FTE), continuing role and the level of appointment will be dependent upon the professional and educational qualifications of the preferred candidate.

Salary Range
The full time equivalent base salary for an Academic Associate Professor (Level D) will range from $167,008 - $183,992 per annum + 17% superannuation. The total FTE package will range from $195,400 - $215,271 per annum.

The full time equivalent base salary will be Academic Professor (Level E) is $215,130 per annum + 17% superannuation. The total FTE package will be $251,703 per annum.

To be eligible for this position, applicants must possess:

• A medical degree or health professional degree from a recognised educational institution, including public health, nursing, paramedicine, allied health, or clinical psychology; and
• A doctoral or master’s qualification of equivalent accreditation and standing and / or Professional Fellowship (e.g. FRACP, FRACGP, FACRRM); and/or
• Ahpra registration or Ahpra registrable medical or health professional degree
• A PhD or significant progress towards completion of a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline or field is highly desirable.

To perform this role, it is essential that the person who holds the position be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. It is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 that applicants are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people:

1. Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
2. Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
3. Be recognised as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person by the community in which they live.

The applicant must have a deep understanding of the culture and traditions of First Peoples in Australia, with a well-established connection to and engagement with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. A demonstrated track record in providing professional and cultural leadership, policy development, and/or evidence-based research in First Peoples' health and wellbeing is also required.

Why Griffith?
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer:

• Wide range of Learning and Development opportunities
• Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts
• Support with future learning opportunities through our educational staff assistance scheme

How to apply
At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page.

Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following:

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the qualifications above and the position description)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details
• Names and contact details of at least three professional referees (no contact will be made without your permission)

Applicants must have unrestricted working rights. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

For further information specifically about this role, please contact Professor Niru Nirthanan, Dean of Medicine via email at: [email protected] or by phone on (07) 5678 8023.

For application and recruitment advice, please contact Jinita Dhall, Talent Acquisition Partner at [email protected].

A Confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent from executed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation with a common seal will also be required. The Griffith First Peoples Employment Partner is available to assist you with this if needed. Please feel free to contact the First Peoples Employment Partner at [email protected] at any stage of the application process if you have any questions.

Closing date: Friday, 16 May 2025 at 11:59pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.