Dean, Indigenous Research & Innovation

Company Description

Griffith was created to be a different type of university. Here we strive to be a place where all peoples of all cultures feel valued and respected, and where Indigenous Australian people, cultures, knowledges, experiences and perspectives, form an integral part of our learning, teaching, research, and community engagement. At Griffith, we hold ourselves accountable to the belief that reconciliation is everybody’s business.

Griffith’s 2025-2030 Strategy is underpinned by five values-informed challenges including: Indigenous flourishing—creating the conditions for Indigenous Australians to thrive academically, socially and culturally. Griffith aims to be the university of choice for Indigenous staff and students—a place where Indigenous people flourish in their study and careers, a place of cultural safety and a place where Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing are celebrated in our curriculum, research and the culture.

During the life of the strategy, our research focus is on growing our research impact and scale. We will foster Indigenous-led innovation and prioritise collaborations and build strong strategic partnerships that support the growth of Indigenous research capacity and facilitate global knowledge exchange, ensuring that Indigenous contributions are not just included but central to our collective success.

As part of our ongoing commitment to educational outcomes for First Peoples, we are seeking a Dean, Indigenous Research & Innovation.

Job Description

The portfolio of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) (DVC, Indigenous) leads, coordinates, promotes and works with colleagues across the University in successfully enabling all aspects of the University’s activity and initiatives in First Peoples research innovation, learning and teaching and engagement in support of Griffith’s strategic plans. The portfolio includes the Indigenous Research Unit and the GUMURRII Student Success Unit.

The Dean, Indigenous Research & Innovation is a key leadership role within the DVC, Indigenous portfolio and works closely with Griffith’s research community (including the Indigenous Research Unit, the DVC Research portfolio and the Deans (Research) within the Academic Groups) to appropriately integrate and strengthen Indigenous research at Griffith.

As a Dean, Indigenous Research & Innovation, you’ll take on complex local and global challenges, using your skills and experience to advance Indigenous research and drive meaningful change. Here’s how you’ll make it matter:

• Strategically expand and elevate Indigenous research across Griffith University, leading the development and implementation of a bold, future-focused Indigenous research strategy that aligns with national priorities, community aspirations, and Griffith’s commitment to Indigenous flourishing.
• Accelerate the growth of Indigenous research capacity by designing and delivering transformative development pathways for Indigenous staff and HDR students, fostering a thriving pipeline of Indigenous researchers through targeted recruitment, retention, mentoring, and completion initiatives.
• Grow and deepen partnerships with Indigenous communities and external stakeholders, embedding co-design, Indigenous governance, and reciprocal engagement at the heart of research practices to ensure culturally grounded and impactful outcomes.
• Champion the integration of Indigenous research principles across university governance, planning, and curriculum, working collaboratively with senior leadership to embed Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing into the institutional fabric and drive systemic change.
• Lead the expansion and transformation of the Indigenous Research Unit, overseeing its operations with a focus on strategic growth, optimising workforce planning, resource mobilisation, and compliance while shaping the future structure and resourcing of the DVC (Indigenous) portfolio’s research function.

This is a fixed term (5 years), full time senior contract primarily based at Griffith University Logan. As Griffith is a multi-campus University you will be required to work across other campus locations.

Griffith University’s sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Salary Range
A competitive salary package is available for the successful candidate.

Qualifications

What matters most is your drive to create a brighter future that benefits all. Through our core principles of excellence, ethics and engagement, you’ll thrive on seeing the direct and lasting impact you’ll have on every community and every future.

You will also have:

• A PhD qualification with a substantial track record of research achievement as a senior academic or senior career researcher, specifically in the field of Indigenous Research. 
• Demonstrated experience in leading Indigenous research initiatives, including strategy development, program design, and operational management within a university or research setting.
• An understanding of Indigenous communities, with a track record of engagement, co-design, and governance practices that reflect Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing.
• Demonstrated experience in growing Indigenous research capacity including through mentoring Indigenous researchers and HDR students, fostering inclusive research environments, and developing pathways for academic and educational advancement.
• Ability to influence policy and embed Indigenous research practices across governance, planning, and curriculum development frameworks.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collegially across diverse academic groups and external stakeholders to promote excellence in Indigenous research.
• To perform this role, it is essential that the person who holds the position be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.  It is therefore a genuine occupational requirement, under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991, that applicants are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

We recognise that your heritage is deeply personal to you. Proof of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage is a requirement for appointment to this role. This includes that people filling the role:

1. are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
2. identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
3. are accepted by your community as being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

We accept an original or notarised copy of a ‘Letter of Confirmation' issued by an incorporated Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation and stamped with the organisation’s common seal. Confirmations of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status may be made by an incorporated community organisation, association, or body where the majority of members of the governing body are Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Islander persons or both.

The Griffith First Peoples Employment Partner is here to support you with this if need be. Please feel free to be in contact with the First Peoples Employment Partner at [email protected] at any stage of the application process if you have any questions.

Additional Information

Why Griffith?
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer:

• Mix of on campus and work from home options available and a supportive work environment
• Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts
• Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading
• Health Safety and Wellbeing initiatives – on campus Gym facilities

How to apply
At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. Griffith University also maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of modern slavery. For more information, please refer to Griffith’s Modern Slavery Policy.

Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following:

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the qualifications above and the position description)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details
• Names and contact details of at least three professional referees (no contact will be made without your permission)
• Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.

Applicants must have unrestricted working rights. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

For further information specifically about this role, please contact Professor Jonathan Bullen, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) at [email protected].

For application and recruitment advice, please contact Ms Corinna Gartrell, Talent Acquisition Partner at [email protected].

For application support, please contact Bronwyn Ward, First Peoples Employment Partner at [email protected].

For application support, please contact People Services on +61 7 373 54011 and quote reference number REF8213S.

Closing date: Monday 4 August 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.  All applications must be submitted online.