Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation)

The University of Newcastle is seeking an outstanding research and innovation leader to join its Executive Leadership Team as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) (DVC R&I). 

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of a globally recognised, research-intensive university at a moment of strong momentum. The DVC R&I will play a pivotal role in advancing research excellence, driving innovation and translation, and ensuring the University’s research delivers meaningful impact for its regions, Australia and the world. 

The University of Newcastle is a top 250 global institution, recognised for its research excellence, industry collaboration, equity leadership and impact.  

Guided by its vision to be a world leading university for its regions, the University is bold in ambition and deeply connected to place, with its Looking Ahead 2030 strategy setting a clear, shared direction for how the University will serve its communities, support its people and deliver real impact over the next five years. 

Research and innovation sit at the heart of this mission. Backed by flagship institutes including the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), and the Institute for Regional Futures (IRF), the University delivers interdisciplinary research translated into real world outcomes across health, energy, resources, sustainability and social futures. 

The Opportunity 

As a member of the University Executive, the DVC R&I provides strategic, innovative and accountable leadership of the University’s research enterprise. The role is responsible for positioning the University as a global leader in research and innovation that serves its regions, driving excellence, quality, impact and engagement. 

The incoming DVC R&I will build on strong foundations while shaping the next phase of growth, strengthening research performance, expanding industry and global partnerships, accelerating translation and commercialisation, and fostering a vibrant, inclusive research culture. 

Key Challenges and Priorities 

This role requires a leader who can operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels, balancing ambition with execution in a complex and evolving environment. 

Key priorities include: 

• Driving research excellence and impact 
• Building research scale, quality and influence through a clear strategic agenda that strengthens competitive performance, global reputation, and measurable impact. 
• Sustaining and diversifying research income 
• Growing competitive grant success while expanding industry derived income, philanthropy and contract research, supported by strong analytics and evidence-based decision-making. 
• Translation, commercialisation and entrepreneurship 
• Advancing research translation through IP development, licensing, spinouts and venture creation, including oversight of the University’s startup incubator and contract research entity. 
• Strengthening flagship institutes and partnerships 
• Championing HMRI, NIER and IRF, and building major national and international partnerships with industry, government, NGOs and global universities. 
• Research culture, capability and talent 
• Developing the next generation of research leaders, strengthening HDR experience and outcomes, and embedding recognition and reward systems that value impact, engagement and translation alongside traditional metrics. 
• Governance, integrity and risk 
• Ensuring ethical, safe and compliant research practice, including national security, foreign interference, data governance and research integrity obligations. 
• Infrastructure and digital platforms 
• Leading strategic investment in research infrastructure, shared facilities and digital research platforms that support open science, sustainability and longterm return on investment. 

About You 

You will be a distinguished academic leader with an international reputation, and a proven track record of senior leadership within a research-intensive university or comparable environment. 

The University of Newcastle is seeking a leader who combines intellectual credibility with strategic acumen, and who understands how to translate research excellence into real world impact. 

You will bring: 

• An excellent research record and deep understanding of contemporary research ecosystems in Australia and internationally. 
• Demonstrated success in leading largescale research portfolios, including strategy, performance uplift, and delivery of measurable outcomes. 
• A strong track record in research income growth, industry collaboration, and partnership development. 
• An entrepreneurial mindset, with experience in research translation, commercialisation and innovation systems. 
• A clear commitment to equity, Indigenous research priorities, sustainability and social impact. 
• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to act as an ambassador for the University in high-level national and international forums. 
• A leadership style that is collaborative, values driven and enabling, that fosters trust, accountability and high performance across diverse disciplines and professional teams. 

Why the University of Newcastle? 

The University of Newcastle offers a distinctive executive leadership environment that is regionally anchored, globally connected and purpose driven. 

The University is recognised as a national leader in equity and access, including its sector leading Open Foundation program and its strong commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and research. It also hosts Australia’s only UN centre – CIFAL Newcastle – one of the global network of United Nations/UNITAR International Training and Outreach centres. 

With major investments in research infrastructure, innovation precincts and regional campuses, including the new Central Coast facility, the University is well positioned for its next phase of growth. Newcastle and the Hunter region offer an exceptional lifestyle, vibrant culture and strong community connection. 

How to Apply 

To request a copy of the candidate brochure or to have an initial conversation, please contact: 

Dr Courtenay Atwell 

Email: UONDVCRI@kornferry.com 

Confidential discussions are encouraged. 

Applications are to be submitted by midnight on Monday, 27th April 2026 to UONDVCRI@kornferry.com  

Please do not apply through the University's recruitment system.

The University of Newcastle is proud to be one of the first two Universities in Australia to achieve SAGE Athena Swan Silver Accreditation for gender equity, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI).

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.