We're Hiring!

James Cook University (JCU) is creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally and globally. 

We now have an opportunity available for passionate and experienced Academic to join the JCU Horizons Program.  A new transformative, challenge-led research investment, the JCU Horizons Program will accelerate our impactful research agenda to address key global and Australian challenges. 

• Full-time; continuing.
• Academic Level D or E $164,231.05 - $210,239.54 - per annum plus up to 17% employer superannuation contributions, leave loading and other generous employee benefits
• Role based in the College of Science and Engineering
• Situated at the Townsville Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas
• Level of appointment and remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

About the JCU Horizons Program 

The JCU Horizons Program will solidify James Cook University as a national and Indo-Pacific leader in high-impact, multidisciplinary research. With over $10 million committed across seven years, JCU Horizons aims to further build world-class research strengths and global reputation in areas of strategic importance and opportunity. It will work in partnership with stakeholders to catalyse research programs that lead to research impact. The program is designed to support the development of high-performing teams, as well as ensuring JCU’s teaching is relevant to regional needs.

The JCU Horizons Program will build a portfolio of research supported by a comprehensive investment package that includes a continuing employment contract for a senior academic, within a team supported by a research package, and tailored onboarding support. 

This opportunity will build JCU’s research in climate and disaster resilience, with a team led by the College of Science and Engineering and The Cairns Institute.

About the College of Science and Engineering 

The College of Science and Engineering is a comprehensive provider of world class research and undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a range of science, technology and engineering disciplines.

As part of the Academy, the College of Science and Engineering promotes, supports and administers quality teaching, hands-on experiences, industry placements and research at JCU in the areas of Marine Biology & Aquaculture, Zoology and Ecology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Information Technology, Physical Sciences, Engineering and Veterinary Sciences.

We are recognised globally for our excellence in research and we strive to ensure that we bring research directly into our classrooms. Our diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs are united by a commitment to excellent teaching, experiential learning opportunities utilising our world class infrastructure and natural laboratories, and a commitment to diversity and respect for difference.

Our postgraduate courses offer professionals opportunities to develop their abilities and advance their careers and our PhD program has launched a thousand research careers.

About the opportunity 

James Cook University (JCU) is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking academic to provide strategic academic leadership in the development of multi-disciplinary research programs that address urgent challenges facing coastal and island communities in the Tropics and beyond.

Reporting to the Head of Engineering, this senior academic position advances JCU’s strategic priority of strengthening the resilience of tropical coastal and island communities to climate change. Established under the JCU Horizons Program, the role will be initially appointed as a research-focused role for the first three years, and it will transition to a balanced teaching and research position thereafter. During the research-intensive phase, the role will be part of a dedicated team, including a postdoctoral research fellow and PhD students. It will work closely with the multi-disciplinary research team from the College of Science and Engineering, the Cairns Institute, the College of Healthcare Science, the College of Arts, Society and Education and the College of Business, Law and Governance.

The successful candidate will be an experienced academic leader with a strong research profile in disaster resilience engineering and an ability to integrate insights from the social, environmental, and health sciences. You will be a leader with experience in building multidisciplinary teams to lift research performance and unlock opportunities. With a background in civil, structural, or coastal engineering, you will lead interdisciplinary research that not only advances climate-adaptive infrastructure solutions but also considers the social, cultural, and policy dimensions of resilience. Your expertise will bridge engineering with climate science, environmental management, and social sciences to ensure that infrastructure responses are technically sound, socially equitable, and community-focused. Your work will deliver practical, scalable outcomes that strengthen the capacity of communities to respond to and recover from escalating risks, including tropical cyclones, sea-level rise, flooding, erosion, and extreme heat in Australia and the Indo-Pacific. By embedding social science and other disciplinary perspectives into engineering practice, you will play a pivotal role in shaping climate-resilient systems that address both the physical challenges of infrastructure and the social realities of the communities they serve.

What you can bring to the role 

• PhD in Civil, Coastal, or Structural Engineering, or a related field, with demonstrated expertise in infrastructure resilience and climate-responsive design for coastal environments.
• Proven record of interdisciplinary, high-impact research in areas such as climate risk, coastal hazard mitigation, and infrastructure adaptation.
• Demonstrated strong track record of leadership across multidisciplinary teams, with a particular focus on integrating social, economic, and environmental disciplines into disaster resilience, climate-responsive infrastructure and innovation.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding and managing complex, cross-disciplinary projects and programs of research.
• Strong communication, collaboration and leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively across disciplines and with external stakeholders to build programs of research.
• Commitment to inclusive, community-engaged research, including co-design with First Nations and culturally diverse communities.
• Strong record in university-level teaching, curriculum development, and postgraduate supervision in engineering or a related discipline.

Why JCU? 

JCU offers a culturally diverse working environment with opportunities for professional and personal growth. Employee wellbeing is at the core of our values, and we support our people through the provision of flexible working conditions and many other benefits including;

• A generous superannuation scheme with up to 17% employer contributions with UniSuper
• 5 weeks of annual recreation leave and 15 days of paid sick/personal/carers leave per year
• Cultural leave and Flexible working options
• Attractive options for salary packaging
• Fitness Passport
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional development support
• Well-equipped campus facilities including medical, cafes, gym and childcare.

What matters to us at JCU? 

Our People – Our staff, students, and the communities we serve

Our Education – Knowledge has the power to change lives

Our Place – the Tropics and beyond

Our Research – a catalyst for innovation and knowledge generation

How to apply and contact details 

Are you ready to make a difference? Join us at JCU, where your future meets the Tropics.

Click the ‘apply’ button to be redirected to the JCU careers page and follow the below steps:

1. Complete the application form.
2. Upload your current resume.
3. Upload a cover letter outlining your relevant experience in relation to the key requirements of the role and how your skills and experience will ensure your success in the role. 
4. Upload a separate document in response to the selection criteria as found in the duty descriptor. 

Applications close on Friday 13 March at 11:55 PM AEST.

For any enquiries about the role, please contact Professor Bouchra Senadji via email at HeadEngineering@jcu.edu.au. 

About our process

At JCU, we are committed to employing individuals who meet the requirements of the role and align with our values.

Please visit our Information Privacy Policy to understand how your information is collected, stored, accessed and used.

James Cook University encourages people from all backgrounds who meet role requirements to apply.  We value and celebrate the diversity of our community and are committed to ensuring our learning and working environment is safe and welcoming.