The University of Sydney welcomes applications for Sydney Horizon Educators in the academic disciplines outlined below, during an exciting and innovative time. With the introduction of the new University of Sydney Enterprise Agreement 2023-26, the University has committed to establishing and advertising new continuing education-focused (EF) academic positions, across the Faculty of Science.
Successful candidates will join the Sydney Horizon Educators cohort. For further insights into this exciting opportunity, we invite you to watch this video.
The University aims to attract and retain the best and brightest emerging academics. Positions in this opportunity are for talented educators with a passion for, and demonstrated excellence in, educational practice and innovation, and research capability (in disciplinary and/or education-related research). This newly recruited group of educators will support an uplift in the teaching capability and student experience at the University of Sydney, while also developing as leaders in the education space at the University.

You will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to teaching and learning design, delivery, and evaluation in your specialised field while you also contribute to research in relation to your discipline and/or your educational practice. As part of this role, you will also contribute to the governance, leadership, and engagement work of your employing school, particularly as it relates to education.

Successful candidates will be expected to dedicate most of their contribution to teaching and teaching-related activities (70%), while also engaging in research (20%) and governance, leadership, and engagement (10%). Successful appointees support, coordinate, and teach undergraduate and postgraduate coursework Units of Study. Laboratory tutorial, studio class deliveries, and workshop management and teaching may also be a key part of the roles. These positions may also assist and guide the academic coordinators of other units within the discipline.

Over time, staff appointed to these roles will be supported to engage with professional development opportunities to build their capability to lead change and improvement in teaching at the University.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• undertake a leadership role in educational innovation, curriculum design and review, contributing to outstanding educational delivery and outcomes
• design and engage in high-quality teaching and learning experiences which meet the University’s expectations and standards for education
• deliver outstanding teaching and learning outcomes for students
• develop teaching and unit materials, working with more senior academics within the University
• maintain relevant Work, Health and Safety requirements and management including laboratory and/or field work
• through research and scholarly creative work, contribute to knowledge within your discipline or area of expertise, particularly as it relates to teaching and learning in your discipline
• develop and refine your education research skills, particularly as they relate to evaluating and improving teaching and learning in your discipline
• maintain high quality, standards and excellence in your educational activities and output
• contribute to the governance, leadership, and engagement work in your school.

The University of Sydney is recognised as one of the top research and teaching universities in the world.

(Please note when submitting your application, select the position(s) you would like to apply for) To build on this performance, the University is seeking applications for the following positions:

The aims of these education focused roles are to attract and retain the best and brightest emerging academics, within a specialised category of academic engagement for talented educators with a passion for, and demonstrated excellence in, teaching, the student experience, pedagogical practice, and educational innovation.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talented academics who align to these values and who will lead our teaching and research work at the university in the years to come. You will join a dynamic, engaged group in a highly collaborative and supportive teaching and research environment.

We are looking for candidates who understand the principles and pedagogy of good curriculum and assessment design, and who will make a significant contribution to improving the student experience at the University. Successful candidates will understand or be willing to learn the research principles around teaching and learning design, delivery, and evaluation. They will have a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with students, facilitating and guiding their learning in research, theory, and laboratory sessions. They will also have demonstrated ability to conduct research and (at all levels, but particularly at Level C and D) a willingness to develop a program of education-related research over time.

We are therefore looking for Sydney Horizon Educators who have:

• a PhD or nearly completed a PhD in an academic field relevant to the discipline
• experience in assessment, feedback and learning by design
• experience in contributing to outstanding educational design, delivery, evaluation and outcomes
• a developing network of relationships with key academic, industry or professional institutions partners and stakeholders
• demonstrated experience in supervising or mentoring others and/or coordinating team activities
• sound experience of teaching and learning, and the ability to contribute to teaching at undergraduate, honours and postgraduate levels in lecture, tutorial and practical settings.
• a high level of interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• a record of excellent teaching, learning, and assessment practice in a tertiary environment, as evidenced through student and supervisor feedback
• high-level written and verbal communication skills
• the capacity to engage students and enable a supportive, inclusive learning environment
• proven experience in designing, implementing and evaluating teaching and learning initiatives
• a demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching
• the ability to work collaboratively with other staff, including professional staff, and foster principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Senior Lecturers who, in addition to the above can demonstrate:
• their knowledge and understanding of the key, strategic, education-related issues in the higher education sector and/or the University
• their experience as an effective unit, course or program coordinator or director (especially for large classes), as evidenced by student and staff feedback
• some experience in people leadership within the higher education sector
• significant capability in educational leadership, service, governance, and engagement (either through their work at a university or through association with a non-university organisation).

The position level will be determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, and knowledge assessed by the selection committee.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, including women.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.