Infrastructure that drives impact

Shape the future of research at UNSW through visionary leadership and world-class facilities.

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Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research Infrastructure)

UNSW is one of the world’s leading research and teaching-intensive universities, known for innovative, pioneering research and high-quality education with a global impact. Since our foundation in 1949, we've aimed to improve and transform lives through excellence in research, outstanding education and a commitment to identifying areas where UNSW can have the greatest positive impact on society. 

We’re embarking on a global search for the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research Infrastructure). This position reports to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise, Professor Bronwyn Fox AO.

Ranked 20th in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, UNSW has an ambitious research agenda. Here, research infrastructure is a catalyst for discovery, innovation, and global impact. As Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research Infrastructure), you’ll lead one of Australia’s most advanced research ecosystems – from high-performance computing and imaging to analytical instrumentation and animal services. This is your opportunity to shape the systems that power world-changing research and position UNSW at the forefront of global knowledge creation.

Message from the DVC Research & Enterprise

UNSW Sydney is proud to be a world-class university, home to incredible people who are driven to tackle some of society’s most challenging issues to make the world a better place. We exist for the public good and play a major role in seeking innovative solutions to the many challenges we face today and in the future, both locally and globally, creating positive societal impact.

We are seeking a new Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) to provide exceptional strategic and operational leadership of UNSW Sydney’s research infrastructure portfolio, ensuring world-class facilities and services that support high impact research across the University.

In this exciting role, you will have executive responsibility for all central research infrastructure, including the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, Research Imaging NSW, Animal Services, and Research Technology Services. You will lead major infrastructure initiatives, shape national policy engagement, and ensure our platforms are future-ready – supporting interdisciplinary research, industry collaboration, and global competitiveness.

You will join a collaborative and ambitious leadership team committed to enabling research excellence and innovation at scale. If you are a visionary leader who understands the power of infrastructure to drive discovery and impact, we invite you to bring your expertise to UNSW.

Professor Bronwyn Fox AO

Position summary

The Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) is a senior academic leadership role at UNSW Sydney supporting the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) in the management of the Division of Research & Enterprise, and in achieving the objectives of the University’s strategy: Progress for All. The role provides strategic and operational leadership of UNSW Sydney’s research infrastructure portfolio, ensuring world-class facilities and services that support high impact research across the University.

The Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) has executive responsibility for all central research infrastructure, including the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre (MWAC), Research Technology Services (ResTech), Research Imaging NSW (RINSW), and Animal Services (AS).

The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) works collegially and constructively with other Divisions, Faculty Deans, Associate/Deputy Deans, Estate Management, IT, Health & Safety, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with research priorities and compliance with regulatory standards. The position is an advocate for UNSW in all external contexts and will represent UNSW nationally and internationally in infrastructure-related forums, including NCRIS, ANSTO, and other strategic partnerships.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) reports directly to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) and works closely with the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Training), Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation), Director of Operations (Research & Enterprise), in addition to senior staff across Faculties and Divisions.

Skills and experience

  • A PhD and recognition as a leading international authority in a relevant discipline, consistent with UNSW Sydney’s strategic objectives.
  • A distinguished track record of research leadership and infrastructure management in a university or research-intensive environment.
  • Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and delivery of large-scale research infrastructure projects.
  • Strong understanding of national research infrastructure frameworks.
  • Proven ability to build partnerships with industry, government, and research organisations, and across portfolios internally.
  • Proven strategic leadership and operational management skills, including strong financial acumen, with experience managing complex budgets, cost-recovery models, and infrastructure funding proposals.
  • Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills, including demonstrated strengths in:
    • high level national and international advocacy;
    • influencing and negotiation skills;
    • motivating staff and researchers;
    • establishing and maintaining effective relationships across research, industry, and government; and
    • the ability to represent organisations nationally and internationally.
  • An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
  • Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Specific accountabilities for this role include:

Strategy and Direction

  • Provide strategic high-level advice to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) on strategic planning, governance investment, and sustainability of research infrastructure.
  • Proactively plan for, and respond to, changes in the Australian and international policy environment that affect research infrastructure.
  • Promote the UNSW's research infrastructure capability and research profile, both locally and internationally.
  • Lead strategic planning and investment in infrastructure to support emerging research needs and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Drive initiatives to secure external funding for infrastructure through government, industry, and philanthropic sources.
  • Represent UNSW in national infrastructure networks (e.g. NCRIS, ANSTO) and advocate for UNSW’s interests in external forums.
  • Ensure that infrastructure planning and investment align with UNSW’s strategic research priorities and national research infrastructure agendas.
  • Promote a strong culture of research quality and integrity.
  • Deputise for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) in all aspects of the UNSW Research & Enterprise portfolio, when required.

Operational

  • Provide strategic oversight of centrally managed shared research facilities, including primary responsibility for various portfolios within the Division, such as Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre (MWAC), Research Imaging NSW, Animal Services, ResTech etc. and other responsibilities agreed in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise).
  • Lead major research initiatives, infrastructure projects, and large-scale research programs, such as the Research Data Experience project and the precision and molecular medicine strategy. 
  • Implement mechanisms to identify and monitor the effectiveness of new research infrastructure initiatives in achieving outcomes, including return on investment.
  • Lead UNSW input and responses to government consultation and assessment exercises pertaining to research infrastructure.
  • Support research translation and commercialisation by ensuring infrastructure enables industry engagement and innovation.
  • Ensure infrastructure operations comply with relevant legislation, ethical standards, and UNSW policies.
  • Oversee risk management, WHS compliance, and business continuity planning for infrastructure facilities.

Relationship Building

  • Develop effective communications with a wide range of Senior Leaders and staff in Faculties and Divisions to enhance research capability and impact.
  • Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and support research translation, innovation, commercialisation, and precincts.
  • Collaborate with faculties, research institutes and external partners to optimise the impact of infrastructure investments.
  • Promote equitable access to infrastructure and promote a culture of excellence, safety, integrity and compliance.

Staff Management

  • Provide outstanding leadership to professional and technical staff in the Division of Research & Enterprise, ensuring world-class facilities and services that enable high-impact research across the University.
  • Ensure that all staff comply with UNSW Sydney Work Health and Safety (WHS) policies, plans and procedures and that WHS is a key priority in the portfolio of the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research Infrastructure).
  • Ensure performance reviews and career development assessments of staff within the portfolio of the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) are undertaken on a regular basis in accordance with University policy.

Committee and Board Membership

  • Provide strategic advice to relevant University Committees including the University Research Committee and others as required.
  • Represent the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) as required such as at the Group of 8 (Go8), Universities Australia Committees.
  • Represent the University externally at board and committee level, and in national and international research consortia, as required.

Other

  • Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action and the UNSW Code of Conduct and Values.
  • Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself and others.
  • Ensure hazards and risks psychosocial and physical are identified and controlled for tasks, projects, and activities that pose a health and safety risk within your area of responsibility

About UNSW

Since our foundation in 1949, societal impact has been our reason for being at UNSW. Societal impact is what we do, and it is who we are. All our activities, across education, research and engagement with the world around us, have a singular purpose: to advance skills, knowledge, innovation and collaboration in ways that enable individuals and communities across the globe to thrive.

With a vast portfolio of interdisciplinary research and more than 7,500 academics, technical staff and higher degree research candidates, we are one of the leading research and teaching-intensive universities in the world, known for innovative, pioneering research and high-quality education with a global impact.

Ranked in the global top 20 in QS for three consecutive years, UNSW is committed to translating ideas into new technology, policies and action. From pioneering photovoltaics and quantum materials to addressing the cost-of-living crisis and systemic inequality, we combine fundamental research with applied practice to achieve maximum impact.

UNSW is Australia’s most entrepreneurial university, ranked 1st in the nation for the most startup and spinout companies founded through University-developed technology in 2024, for the fourth consecutive year. Partnerships are the secret to our entrepreneurial success. It's through our work with government, businesses, and community partners that we're able to transform research into the policies, products and services that benefit people, both in Australia and abroad.

Progress for All

The UNSW Strategy: Progress for All reaffirms our commitment to advancing expansive and inclusive global positive impact. Building on 75 years of impact, UNSW strives to address pressing global challenges and ensure communities worldwide can thrive socially, economically, culturally and environmentally. Progress for All sets out our mission and vision for the University for when we reach our centenary in 2049, and is our roadmap for the next 10 years.

Our strategy has nine Strategic Pillars guiding our efforts to address critical global challenges. These pillars include five Impact Pathways and four Impact Focus Areas. Together, they set our priorities, define aspirations, and ensure accountability for driving Progress for All over the next decade.

Culture and benefits

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. But what makes us different isn’t only what we do, it’s how we do it. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical and purposeful in all we do.

Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. It’s why we come to campus each day.

We make it as easy as possible for our staff to have a rich and balanced life at work and home. As part of our approach to flexible working, we have introduced greater flexibility across location, hours, full-time equivalents, schedules and job sharing. 

In terms of other benefits, we offer various types of leave, lifelong learning, discounts, entitlements, health and wellbeing support. Further information can be found on Jobs@UNSW.

Living in Sydney

Australia is known for its diversity, with people from over 200 countries calling it home. At UNSW, our community reflects this richness, welcoming staff and students from more than 120 nationalities. Here, you’ll collaborate with leading researchers, access world-class facilities, and be part of a culture that values innovative ideas, diverse perspectives, and meaningful connections.

Sydney is consistently ranked among the world’s most liveable cities because it offers an exceptional quality of life defined by its temperate climate, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant urban culture. From iconic coastal walks and world-renowned beaches to a thriving arts, entertainment, and culinary scene, Sydney delivers a rich and varied lifestyle where you can seamlessly blend professional opportunity with personal fulfilment.

Salary

We will offer the successful candidate a salary package commensurate with the position responsibilities and the candidate’s skills, qualifications and experience.

All of our employees (excluding casuals) are entitled to receive 17% employer superannuation contributions. New employees are entitled to select their preferred superannuation fund or UniSuper, the industry fund for the Tertiary Education sector.

Our salary-sacrificing initiatives allow you to pay some or all of the offering before tax.

We also offer the option to salary package a fully maintained vehicle under a lease known as a novated lease. Car parking is available on campus with the ability to pay via fortnightly payroll salary sacrifice deductions.

Conditions

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all required pre-employment or background checks. In addition, your ongoing employment is based upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements.

UNSW requires that all employees have eligible working rights within Australia. As one of Australia’s top employers, we understand that some candidates may benefit from support to relocate and join our university.

If you are offered a position at the university and are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, the university may be able to assist with sponsorship arrangements. This includes obtaining the appropriate visa to allow you to work at UNSW.

The type of visa arrangement would depend on the length of your appointment at UNSW. Our external providers, Visa Lawyers Australia, will initially make that assessment of your application on behalf of UNSW and the UNSW Recruitment team will also guide you through this process.

We may also offer financial assistance to successful candidates who are required to move from their current residence in order to take an appointment at UNSW.

For more information and to submit your application (consisting of an up-to-date CV and a cover letter/response to selection criteria) please visit the Perrett Laver https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/ quoting reference number 8109.

If you wish to discuss this role further in confidence, please contact Tadhg Waddington at Perrett Laver at Tadhg.Waddington@perrettlaver.com

Applications close at 9am AEDT on Monday 24th November 2025.

Please note that the interview process will run between December 2025 – January 2026.

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Our research infrastructure

UNSW has invested over $450 million into research facilities, high performance computing and specialised instruments that are available to academics and partners. We combine this infrastructure with technical expertise to support research projects at every stage - from planning and training, to funding, publication and commercialisation.
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