Why work with us?

At Deakin you will have access to benefits such as a variety of leave options including generous parental leave and the ability to purchase additional leave; flexible working arrangements to help manage your work-life balance; ongoing learning and development opportunities to grow your career; an inclusive and supportive culture and environment to work in, both online and on campus.

Who are we?

Deakin is a cutting-edge public university headquartered in Victoria, revolutionising education with 61,000 students across our campuses. We're proud to be a progressive and open-minded university, delivering the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world's universities.

The role

Ranked the #1 sport science school in the world, Deakin’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences is home to elite facilities, leading academics and cutting-edge research. We are seeking an outstanding academic at Associate Professor or Professor level to play the pivotal role of leading and developing our new Masters of Physiotherapy program. The successful candidate will provide academic leadership in designing and delivering high-quality, learner-centred and research-informed curricula that influence teaching across the Physiotherapy discipline and, where appropriate, more broadly. Leading teaching teams to ensure an excellent student experience while driving a productive research program that generates high-impact outputs, your expertise in the sector will be invaluable in shaping the workforce of the future.

Key components of the role also involve developing and leading strategic collaborations with academic, industry, and community partners to enable innovative teaching and research initiatives, as well as contributing to meaningful impact in the profession and broader community. At Professor level, the appointee will demonstrate significant leadership and recognition, including major collaborative initiatives and sustained research excellence, while at Associate Professor level, candidates will bring strong national standing. Extensive knowledge of the sector and the Physiotherapy Board of Australia is essential.

This appointment presents a rare opportunity to join a high-performing, collaborative environment and contribute to advancing physiotherapy education and research at scale.

As Associate Professor or Professor of Physiotherapy, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership of the Physiotherapy program, ensuring accreditation compliance while fostering a collaborative, high-performing teaching environment and excellent student outcomes.
• Lead innovative, evidence-based curriculum design, delivery, and quality assurance, integrating industry, clinical, and research expertise into inclusive learning experiences.
• Drive pedagogical scholarship and contribute to broader university strategy, policy, and program development.
• Establish and lead a strong research profile, including high-impact outputs, competitive funding, and strategic academic and industry collaborations that deliver real-world impact.
• Supervise and mentor HDR and early-career researchers, and communicate research outcomes to academic, professional, and community audiences.

To be successful, you’ll have:

• A doctoral qualification in Physiotherapy or relevant discipline.
• Current registration (or eligibility for registration) with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
• Academic leadership experience, including successful leadership of accredited physiotherapy professional programs (Level E) or contribution to successful leadership of accredited physiotherapy professional programs (Level D).
• Demonstrate capacity to ensure compliance with professional physiotherapy accreditation standards, including experience with preparing accreditation submissions or leading site visits.
• Evidence of exemplary teaching and professional achievement in physiotherapy, with evidence of innovation and impact in curriculum design and delivery.
• Evidence of original, innovative and sustained record of research, research supervision, grant funding and scholarship in physiotherapy or related field.
• Evidence of capacity to build and sustain partnerships with industry, professional bodies, clinical education providers and community.

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume, a short cover letter and responses to the Key Selection Criteria.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Professor Brad Aisbett, Head of School on [email protected] or Associate Professor Kirsten Howlett, Associate Head of School, Teaching and Learning, on [email protected]   

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 PD - Professor, Physiotherapy.pdf

 PD - Associate Professor, Physiotherapy.pdf

Applications for this position close at 11.55pm on Sunday 19th July.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

Pre-employment safety and suitability checks: In accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, appointment to this role is subject to successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, including Working With Children Checks and candidate gender-based violence declarations.

Candidates may be asked to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender‑based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender‑based Violence during the course of their previous employment, or otherwise in a legal process.  A declaration is not required from individuals who have experienced gender‑based violence.  A ‘Yes’ response does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment, and any information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for relevance to the role and the University’s safety obligations.