Pro Vice-Chancellor (Researcher Development)

Job No:  688391

Location: Clayton Campus

Employment Type: Full-time, Fixed-term appointment

Remuneration: A competitive remuneration package will apply

• Champion the next generation of researchers and research excellence at one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities
• Shape talent, drive innovation and foster entrepreneurialism to deliver real-world impact
• Discover a career path that inspires, challenges and rewards

About the Organisation:

At Monash, work feels different – it is driven by purpose and possibility. Our people feel a deep sense of belonging and contribution, knowing they’re part of something extraordinary. Here, you’re not just joining a university; you’re contributing to a collective effort to create lasting impact.

Our focus is clear: transformative research, exceptional education and a global enterprise network. We activate our strengths and bold ideas to address some of the challenges of our time - Climate Change, Thriving Communities, and Geopolitical Security.

The Research and Enterprise Portfolio is key to the delivery of our strategic vision, ensuring Monash delivers meaningful outcomes to the communities we serve, and remains at the forefront of higher education’s evolving landscape.

About the Role:

The purpose of this position is to lead and deliver strategic initiatives that support the development of research talent across the full career continuum, from postgraduate research students through to senior researchers.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Researcher Development) (PVC) is the academic leader for Research Masters and PhD programs, providing strategic direction and oversight of admission and research standards ensuring quality and alignment with the University goals across our Australian and international campuses. In addition to their role in supporting higher degree students, the PVC is responsible for designing and implementing programs that enable researchers to build skills, experience and career pathways, with a strong focus on research excellence, innovation and entrepreneurship. This includes oversight of initiatives that foster capability development, preparation for fellowship and grant success and exposure to diverse opportunities.

The position requires close collaboration with the central portfolios and faculties to ensure attraction and retention strategies that support career progression. The PVC will work with external stakeholders, including industry and government, and operate in a global context - contributing to international development opportunities, and ensuring Monash researchers, at any stage, are positioned for success in varied and evolving research careers.

This position will provide comprehensive development opportunities that demonstrate the varied pathways available to researchers and strengthen Monash’s commitment to nurturing talent at an institutional level.

About you:

You are an accomplished research leader with the ability to drive strategic initiatives that support researchers at every stage of their career - from higher degree students to senior academics. You will bring credibility through your own research experience, combined with operational leadership expertise and a proven ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

This role demands strategic thinking, strong interpersonal skills, and a passion for fostering research talent. You will navigate policy and process with ease, build collaborative relationships across faculties and external partners, and create opportunities that enable success in research, innovation, and commercialisation. Experience in securing fellowships or investigator grants will be highly regarded.

This is a pivotal opportunity to champion the next generation of research excellence at one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities, where your leadership will shape talent, drive innovation and help Monash to deliver real-world impact on the world stage.

Enquiries and applications:

Odgers has been appointed to partner with Monash University on this appointment.

For further information and a confidential conversation please contact Jenny Sutton via email at jenny.sutton@odgers.com or Sophie Malone sophie.malone@odgers.com  

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Researcher Development) | Odgers

Applications close:  Wednesday 18 February 2026, 11:55pm AEDT

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