Senior Lecturer in Oral Health and Dentistry

Category: Academic Level C

Salary: $143,602 – $165,586 plus 17% super, leave loading plus dental loading (if eligible)

Position: Full-time, Continuing

Location: Central Coast

About the Role

This is a rare and significant opportunity to shape the future of Dentistry at the University of Newcastle. This role will play a foundational role in establishing, developing, and delivering the University’s teaching and research capability in the discipline of Dentistry. The appointee will be involved in the design, development, coordination, and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in both Dentistry and Oral Health.

You will contribute to curriculum innovation, academic governance, and strategy that ensures programs are aligned with University and College priorities and standards of academic excellence. The position offers substantial scope to influence course architecture, clinical education models, and research direction, while establishing strong internal and external partnerships with the profession, health services, and the broader community.

About you

You are a highly motivated dentist with a strong research profile and demonstrated leadership in learning and teaching and experience in research. You bring experience in course and curriculum development and are excited by the opportunity to help establish and grow a new Dentistry academic footprint within a leading Australian university.

You value collaboration and collegiality, and you are committed to fostering an inclusive, ethical, and student-centred academic environment. You are comfortable working across disciplines, and you are eager to mentor emerging academics and researchers while building sustainable teaching and research programs that deliver impact beyond the University.

You will possess many or all of the following qualities:

·      Expertise: Completed a doctoral qualification in Dentistry. Hold, or be eligible for, full AHPRA registration as a Dentist or Specialist Dentist.

·      High-Quality Research: Demonstrated record of publication including traditional and non-traditional research output in high-quality outlets; with evidence of international and national research collaborations and/or partnerships and where relevant, by the impact of your research on policy, practice and/or commercialisation.

• Funding Success: Demonstrated recent capacity for independent research funding success; contributing as a chief investigator including collaborations which create new insights and opportunities for early career researchers.
• Supervision: Skills in active and effective record of supervision Graded Honours and Masters research projects and primary supervision of Higher Degree by Research candidates with timely completions.
• Quality Teaching: Evidence of teaching quality as indicated by student experience survey outcomes and responsiveness to feedback to improve student learning experiences.
• Leadership in Learning and Teaching: Demonstrated leadership in learning and teaching activities and outcomes, including course coordination, having a central role in curriculum development. Involvement in peer mentoring of teaching colleagues within undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
• Engagement: Demonstrated outstanding performance in a range of higher-level University duties, and external relationships/service, including a strong contribution to developing international collaborations.

For the full list of essential and desirable selection criteria, please review the Position Description.

If you’re ready to join a university that’s committed to equity and excellence, and to contribute to a community that values your expertise and vision, we encourage you to apply.

Our university

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader with a reputation for excellence in education and research. Ranking in the top 1% of global universities and among the top 40 for impact, our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and create a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision and our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability, outlines the University’s commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience and serving our communities. Strategic Plan 2030 outlines the University’s commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience and serving our communities.

We are 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). 

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas and extend respect to Elders past and present. We are committed to strengthening Indigenous higher education and supporting Indigenous students and communities.

What we offer

The university offers a comprehensive and inclusive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing, career development, and work-life balance for all staff, including:

• 17% superannuation, access to salary packaging options and annual leave loading
• Generous leave entitlements, including:
• Additional University holidays
• Life Leave to support personal and family needs
• Cultural Leave
• Parental leave and support for carers
• Wellbeing and support programs that promote mental, physical, and emotional health
• Career development opportunities, including:
• Structured training and leadership development
• Support for teaching excellence and research
• Opportunities for global collaboration and recognition

For further information on our benefits and perks, please visit our website.

How to Apply

If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can review the full Position Description and submit your application.  

Your application must include:

• Your ORCID ID.
• A URL link to your University Academic Profile (or equivalent).
• A Cover Letter and Statement (uploaded as a single PDF):
• Cover Letter (max. 1 page) outlining your interest in the role and providing details of 3 referees.
• Statement (max. 4 pages) addressing the Essential and Desirable Criteria, as listed in the position description. 
• Your CV (max. 5 pages) tailored to your discipline

Please visit here for a guide on how to apply for a role. It’s important you read this information to ensure you are providing all the requirements of your application. 

For specific position enquiries, please contact Professor Bronwyn Hemsley, Head of School, School of Health Sciences on bronwyn.hemsley@newcastle.edu.au.

Our assessment process

Typically, candidates that progress beyond the shortlist stage can expect to undertake the following (minimum) assessment activities as part of the recruitment process:

• Interview (an ‘in person’ interview will be conducted as part of the process)
• Referee checks
• Pre-employment checks as appropriate to the role

Our University is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for every member of our community. This commitment is central to our values and our efforts to build a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive.

As part of this, and in alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2025, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence risk factors as part of our recruitment processes.

The completion and return of the University’s Gender-based Violence Declaration Form will form part of the pre-employment checks for this position and any offer of employment will be conditional upon review by the University.

Our adherence to the Code is about more than compliance—it’s about living our values. Together, we can ensure our University remains a place where respect, safety, and inclusion are non-negotiable.

Reasonable Adjustments 

If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to support your application, please let us know. This information will help us understand how best to support you and ensure an equitable and inclusive recruitment process. 

Please be assured that anything you share will be treated respectfully and appropriately. Our goal is to provide the best environment for every candidate to demonstrate their suitable skills and experience.

Please reach out to employment@newcastle.edu.au if you are experiencing any difficulties or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments.

Application close date: 29^th November 2026 at 11.59pm AEDT

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you!

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.  

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

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