Cyber Security Specialist

• A hands-on cyber security role with genuine impact
• Protect and strengthen a complex digital environment
• Apply your cyber security expertise in an environment that is complex, meaningful, and constantly evolving.

Are you a cyber security professional looking for a role where your expertise directly contributes to protecting a diverse and evolving organisation? Do you enjoy solving real-world security challenges, working with modern Microsoft security technologies, and partnering with people across a complex environment?

The University of Newcastle is seeking a Cyber Security Specialist to join our Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) team and play a key role in strengthening our cyber security capability.

Be Challenged and Imagine with us

As a Cyber Security Specialist, you will work across the University’s cyber security operations, supporting proactive and reactive security activities that protect our teaching, research, and enterprise services.

This is a broad and hands-on role where no two days are the same. You will investigate security events, respond to incidents, assess security risks, and work with stakeholders to embed security into technology solutions across the University.

Working within a collaborative team of cyber security professionals, you will apply industry best practice to real security challenges, helping uplift our security posture across identity, endpoint, cloud, and data protection domains.

The Role

In this role you will:

• Monitor, investigate, and respond to cyber security incidents using Microsoft security technologies, including Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender
• Triage security alerts, investigate potential compromises, and support incident response activities from detection through to remediation
• Develop and tune security detections using tools such as KQL, analytics rules, workbooks, and automation capabilities
• Contribute to security reviews of architecture, cloud services, and technology solutions, providing practical risk assessments and recommendations
• Support the ongoing improvement of security controls across Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, identity, endpoint, and data protection environments
• Help strengthen identity security through controls such as Entra ID, Conditional Access, and Privileged Identity Management
• Partner with internal teams, schools, faculties, and managed service providers to coordinate security responses and deliver effective outcomes
• Identify opportunities to improve security operations through automation, process improvements, and emerging technologies including AI-assisted security tools

About you

You will be an experienced cyber security professional who combines technical capability with strong communication and relationship-building skills.

You will have:

• Demonstrated experience working in cyber security operations, incident response, or security engineering roles
• Experience using Microsoft security technologies, particularly Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender, Azure, and Microsoft 365 security capabilities
• Strong understanding of cyber security principles, threats, vulnerabilities, and risk management
• Experience investigating security events and translating technical findings into practical recommendations
• The ability to build trusted relationships and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• A proactive approach to identifying risks, improving processes, and strengthening security controls

Experience in areas such as offensive security, penetration testing, automation, or AI-assisted security tools will be highly regarded.

This continuing role is full time at a HEW 8 Higher Education Worker Level and is located at Callaghan Campus.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision and our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability, the University of Newcastle’s Looking Ahead Strategic Plan 2030 outlines the University’s commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience and serving our communities. 

For more information click here – Our University. 

What we offer

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

A total employment package offering excellent value, including 17% superannuation, generous leave provisions, flexible working arrangements, and access to extensive professional development opportunities. 

You'll also benefit from exceptional employment conditions, job stability, career progression opportunities, and a supportive environment that invests in your development. These include:

• 35 hour week
• 17% super and salary packaging
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal leave and parental leave, annual leave loading and additional purchased leave scheme
• Discounts in private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more
• Wellbeing programs

Your next steps 

Please visit here for a guide on how to apply for a role. 

If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy before commencing your application. 

Your application must include: 

• Your resume
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity
•  A statement addressing the Essential Criteria listed in the job description demonstrating your qualifications and experience with examples.

To ensure that your application receives full consideration, it's important to structure and address the selection criteria outlined in the application process. This helps us better understand your experience and suitability for the role. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to reviewing your application.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document.

Your Cover Letter and Response to the Essential Criteria should not exceed 4 pages (approximately 2,000 words).

Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. 

For specific position enquiries, please contact Andrew Nathan, Service Head of Cyber Security, via email Andrew.Nathan@newcastle.edu.au

Having Difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au

Closing date: Wednesday 12th August 2026 @ 11:59pm

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.

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you

We are committed to a fair, inclusive, and barrier-free recruitment process. If you require an alternative way to access the Position Description or submit your application, please contact employment@newcastle.edu.au.

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the assessment and interview process to support all applicants to participate fully.

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.