Work type: Continuing
Location: Other
Division/Faculty: Melbourne School of Engineering
Department/School: School of Computing and Information Systems
Salary: $199,922 (Level E)
Role & Superannuation rate: Academic - Full time - 17% super

Please note this is a 5-year fixed term appointment to the Named Chair position - with an underlying professorial position that you will automatically transition to at the end of the 5-year term.

The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked among the leading universities in the world. We are globally engaged, comprehensive, research-intensive and committed to responding to the major challenges of our time.

The Melbourne School of Engineering (MSE)

School of Computing and Information Systems (CIS) We are international research leaders with a focus on delivering impact and making a real difference in three key areas: data and knowledge, platforms and systems, and people and organisations. Here you'll find curious people, big problems, and plenty of chances to create a real difference in the world.

Melbourne Connect Chair of Digital Innovation for Society

We are proud and excited to introduce the inaugural Melbourne Connect Endowed Chair of Digital Innovation for Society. This is a newly created leadership role within the School of Computing and Information systems (CIS) and  will lead the way as MSE prepares to occupy our newly constructed digital innovation and collaboration hub – Melbourne Connect.

As the inaugural Chair for Melbourne Connect, this high-profile role will spearhead the launch of this world-class facility.

• Strengthen relationships with Melbourne Connect and its key research partners; other university groups; external research organisations and industry partners
• further enhancing the national and global visibility of the School’s research
• developing large-scale initiatives with industry, government, and defence

The appointee is expected to provide leadership in teaching, research, strategic planning, project development and planning, project management, and supervise staff and students across the MC project.

Set to open late 2020 / 2021, the Melbourne Connect campus is a major initiative that aligns with the University's strategic intent of greater enterprise engagement for enhanced research translation and impact. Current activity is focused on a number of parallel and inter-dependent workstreams:  infrastructure planning and development work; ongoing engagement with government and industry partners to build research and innovation partnerships and secure tenancies; and delivery of an ‘activation’ program of curated events, activities and exhibitions to enhance interactions between the University academic staff, MC precinct tenants, and the wider community.

Key design principles that inform this exciting academic precinct include:

• Industry Collaboration
• Experiential Learning
• Open campus; Community integration

The Opportunity

The Melbourne Connect Chair has been created to provide academic leadership around our ‘Digital Innovation for Society’ activities and to foster new research opportunities in the School of Computing and Information Systems (CIS).

This is a leadership role for an accomplished academic who is ready to further build upon their exemplary track-record. Combined with the resources, infrastructure and access to industry that Melbourne Connect makes possible you and your team(s).

Digital innovations have the capacity for significant impacts on shaping society. This capacity comes with responsibility for ethical conduct, and approaches that improve the quality of life for everyone, not just a select elite few. The Chair should understand, and have experience in, leadership in ethical considerations of research and development of digital technology. The Chair should also have a track record of high impact research, leadership and scholarship in the above areas.

The Chair cannot work alone and shall be connected with other experts across the University, industry and community to coordinate approaches and expertise and increase the capacity of staff within the school to address problems through different lenses, such as critical theory, STS, historical perspectives, anthropology and linguistics. The inclusion of an associated research group supporting the role, and led by the Chair, would enable the attraction of international researchers, as well as in-residence experts from industry, research ethics, human rights and other relevant societal areas to enhance and expand on the work done within this area.

The University and CIS have strong and growing activity in digital and data science across all academic divisions and has nationally-leading computing infrastructure and data analytics capability. Specific academic initiatives include, but are not limited to, digital ethics, cybersecurity, data science, digital health, clinical and health informatics, and digital humanities. CIS also has world-leading research groups in optimisation, artificial intelligence, machine learning and algorithms.

The Chair of Digital Innovation for Society will work with all of these teams and projects to increase the School’s global presence and footprint.

This is a once-in-a career opportunity to be a role-model for collaboration and digital innovation!  You will be excited by and capable of seeing the local and global impact this innovative academic ecosystem can deliver for society.

You and your team will be empowered to create and deliver impactful research focused upon the globe’s most pressing challenges!

Naturally, you will be able to demonstrate your:

• Distinguished and internationally recognised record of research impact and translation into practice
• An international reputation in leading research innovation and fostering collaboration with researchers from other organisations and part of multi-disciplinary teams
• A track record of building and sustaining partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders in complex settings: including Australian and international research agencies; industry; government; and/or community
• An outstanding track record of industry-engaged research in Digital Innovation
• The capacity for innovative design, coordination and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate subjects and create opportunities for students to be exposed to strong industry exp Demonstrated excellence in leadership and management to build strong, sustainable teams, embedding change and driving performance in a large complex organisational environment
• Strong track record of encouraging and progressing research and innovation programs and processes.

As a valued leader in our school you will, support your team and the broader MSE research and teaching community to both independently (and as a member of teams) work on all four pillars of an academic career by:

• pursuing internationally leading research
• teaching and teaching innovation
• engagement with industry and partner institutions, and
• taking on leadership roles within the University.

Requirements

In the initial application form you will be asked to attach the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter (of no more than 2 pages) addressing your motivation for applying and how you would leverage this opportunity.

Key Dates

Advertising and applications close: August 2020

First Round – video interviews: Late September 2020

Final Interviews & Campus visit (3-day schedule): November 2020 

(dates above are indicative only and may be subject to changes to current travel restrictions)

What We Offer You

Many of our benefit programs and onsite amenities are aimed at supporting you - including generous leave, child care subsidies, discounted parking, medical and health care. We offer extensive opportunities for personal and professional development and we’ll support you in doing what you love!

For international candidates, relocation support will also be offered.

If you’re curious, motivated and ready to undertake a challenging and rewarding role we’re ready to meet you.

Don’t wait for a better world – create it! With us! Now!

How to Apply

Apply online by completing the application form and upload your CV, and letter addressing your motivation in applying for this role and how you might leverage this ground-breaking opportunity.

The University is committed to and seeks to increase the diversity of our workforce and the representation of women and all other groups where they have been traditionally under-represented.

While we review your application, get to know us by visiting:

http://www.eng.unimelb.edu.au/about/join-mse/why-join-mse

Position Description

 0049540.pdf

Applications close: 27 Aug 2020 11:55 PM AUS Eastern Standard Time