Director, Menzies Australia Institute & Australian Studies in London

The School of Global Affairs, King’s College London, seeks to appoint a Director of the Menzies Australia Institute at Senior Lecturer or Reader level. This post would be split 0.5FTE Menzies Directorship and 0.5FTE in another department or institute within the School of Global Affairs. These include: Geography, International Development, Global Health and Social Medicine and the Global Institutes (India, China and Brazil).

The Menzies Australia Institute exists to support Australia‑focussed research and teaching at King’s, promote research innovation through collaborations between King’s and Australia‑based researchers, and further develop policy making and public affairs connections between Australia and the UK.

We seek to appoint a Director with experience and expertise in the communication and understanding of Australia and Australian affairs, and to build on the vision established over the last 5 years, of Kings Indigenous. The appointee will be expected to further develop the Menzies Australia Institute through the establishment of a teaching offer relevant and unique to the Australian context (which might include Indigenous studies and/or cultural competence), network building within and outside King’s, strategic research focus and public engagement activities.

Prospective candidates should have research expertise in one or more of the following strategic themes of the School: environment and sustainability, climate change, health and wellbeing, development or politics/international relations. We particularly welcome applicants working on Indigenous affairs and those whose research is interdisciplinary and that builds on the existing areas of excellence in the School.

The appointed candidate will teach modules (in-person and online student cohorts) commensurate with their research area across the undergraduate and/or masters programmes of their linked department. The appointee will also contribute to supervision as well as academic and pastoral support of undergraduate and postgraduate students. They will also pursue opportunities for conducting high‑quality research in their field and, after probation, supervising PhD students. The appointee will receive mentoring and support to develop their skills and experience in education, academic administration, and research.

The post is an open‑ended position with a probation period, which is usually three years. At King’s, we are deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities so that the university is an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work and study, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. King’s offers inclusive benefits to staff including flexible working, Enhanced Parental Leave, funds for Parents and Carers and the potential to join community staff networks. King’s also offers support for visa applications and a potential relocation package. This post will be offered on an indefinite contract. This is a full‑time post – 100% full time equivalent.

Key responsibilities

• Take up the Directorship of the Menzies Australia Institute: cultivation of strategic direction, working closely with the Menzies Board, public engagement and outreach activities, development of teaching offer.
• Develop teaching materials suitable for delivery online and in-person (blended teaching) in attached department.
• Deliver teaching and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students: in class, online, in computing laboratories and in the field as necessary.
• Participate fully in assessment and examination processes as appropriate using a variety of methods and techniques and provide effective, timely and appropriate feedback to students to support their learning.
• Deliver personal and academic tutorials for all stages of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes for in‑person and online cohorts.
• Undertake departmental administrative roles as appropriate for career stage.
• Lead and undertake and publish high‑quality research, developing a portfolio of individual/joint research projects with high quality outputs in line with the Departmental, School and College research strategies and international research profile.
• Take an active role in securing external funding for research activities to underpin the long‑term growth of the activity.
• Undertake other reasonable academic duties and teaching at the request of the Head of School and Head of attached Department.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge and experience

• PhD (or equivalent experience) awarded in a relevant interdisciplinary field.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of Australia.
• An emerging research track record of publications and research grant leadership.
• Excellent presentation, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent leadership, administrative and organisational skills.
• Innovative public engagement skills and experience.
• The ability to design and deliver lectures, practicals, seminars and tutorials in the specified fields of expertise for online or face to face delivery, including innovative and employability‑focused assessment.
• An interdisciplinary mindset in education and research, and aptitude for working within an interdisciplinary framework, including teaching and research across disciplines and beyond the immediate field of expertise.
• A demonstrable commitment to an inclusive, diverse and collegial approach to education and research.

Desirable criteria

• Completion of appropriate training in Higher Education teaching and learning/academic practice. Those without this will need to complete this in their first year in post.
• A demonstrable commitment to Open Research principles.
• Completion of appropriate training in equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion. Those without this will need to complete this in their first year in post.
• Experience of assessment procedures in Higher Education and providing excellent feedback on assessment.
• Experience of providing academic advice and pastoral support to students.

Further information: Short‑listed candidates will be invited to an interview, which will start with a two‑minute presentation (2 slides) on their approaches to teaching and research. They will also be required to record a 7 minute presentation ahead of interview.