SCHOOL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
JOONDALUP CAMPUS
$117,905 to $139,307 pa (ALEVB) PLUS 17% SUPERANNUATION
TEACHING AND RESEARCH
ONGOING, FULL-TIME
OPEN TO APPLICANTS WITH RELEVANT WORK RIGHTS
Overview
Are you a passionate and innovative academic with a deep commitment to social work? We are looking to appoint you to shape the future of post graduate social work education and make a lasting impact in this rapidly evolving field.
The role
The School of Arts and Humanities at Edith Cowan University is excited to welcome an enthusiastic and innovative Social Work expert to champion alongside other colleagues, our new Master of Social Work (qualifying). This is more than just a job—it's an opportunity to lead, inspire, and elevate the next generation of social work professionals and researchers. This is a unique opportunity to leave your mark on the social care landscape and work within a dynamic, supportive, and forward-thinking academic environment.
You will join a team of experts in social work, community and human services, and youth work, who contribute to our well-established bachelor and graduate programs. Your responsibilities will include developing and overseeing course content, teaching units, coordinating curriculum, and supervising sessional academics. You will also have dedicated time for research, collaborating with senior colleagues and joining cross-disciplinary research groups. Additional teaching in social work and social care may be expected in other programs. Through this appointment, you will be able to develop your career as an academic leader.
What are we looking for?
- A skilled academic with a strong background in social work.
- A visionary who is excited about leading the development of innovative educational programs and teaching international and domestic students.
- A mentor who is passionate about guiding students and inspiring the next generation of social work professionals.
Why join us?
- Be at the forefront of social work education with a role that allows you to innovate and influence the social care field.
- Work in a supportive, energetic environment that values creativity and forward-thinking.
- Contribute to a program that has the potential to shape social work practice on a national and international scale.
If you’re ready to take your academic career in this direction and be part of something truly impactful, we’d love to hear from you.
About the school and the university
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a young and progressive university with a strong reputation for excellence in teaching. ECU has been rated the maximum of five stars for teaching quality by their graduates for 18 years in a row, making ECU one of the few universities in Australia to achieve such a consistently high rating. ECU’s reputation for teaching quality and student experience has been built on the productive relationships they have with their students, industry, communities, and alumni – sharing knowledge for the benefit of all.
The School of Arts and Humanities (SAH) is one of the largest at ECU with many diverse disciplines arranged into three main clusters: Creative Humanities; Psychology, Criminology and Counselling; and Social Sciences, Social Work and Youth Work. The School operates across four campuses, with more than 140 academic and professional staff, and has a strong online education presence. The diversity of the School is a strength, enabling interdisciplinary innovation, a sustainable financial platform, and many opportunities for collaborations with industry and community. The School’s purpose as defined by its 2024–2029 plan is to help people be informed in their lives, navigate their way in a complex global world, solve the intersectional problems which confront individuals and communities and be engaged and ethical in their acquisition, application and advancement of knowledge. In 2026, the School will begin to operate its Creative Humanities program from the new ECU City Campus while maintaining and expanding operations at the Joondalup and South-West (regional) campuses and building our program at the newly opened ECU Sri Lanka campus.
Selection criteria
You will have a PhD or equivalent experience and qualifications in a relevant field. Eligibility for membership in AASW is required.
You will need to demonstrate, based on past achievement and potential for future development, that you can:
- teach effectively with a student-centred approach that fosters engagement, understanding, and academic success;
- develop and deliver excellent online and on-campus education through innovative curriculum and pedagogy;
- conduct high-quality research with successful publication outcomes and social impact, including through the supervision of student projects;
- engage productively with industry and community partners to advance teaching and research;
- exercise scholarly leadership consistent with your level of appointment, particularly in course coordination and design; and
- work productively and collegially to achieve the collective goals of our scholarly community in the school and university.
You will be expected to demonstrate personal attributes congruent with the University’s values of integrity, respect, rational inquiry, personal excellence, and courage.
Experience as a social work practitioner is desirable.
Benefits and Remuneration
$117,905 to $139,307 pa plus 17% Superannuation.
ECU supports a work/life balance for staff. Benefits such as flexible working arrangements may also be negotiated to meet your personal circumstances.
ECU has an Award-winning Health and Wellness Program and an extensive range of staff benefits across entertainment, financial, health, travel and consumer goods and services.
For information on the benefits of working at ECU, please visit our website Employment Opportunities Overview.
ECU is a smoke-free environment.
Application process
Your application is in two parts. The first part is a statement (maximum 4 pages) that clearly demonstrates your suitability for the role and the difference you will make for the school if appointed. You should highlight key examples of your experience and your capabilities: you do not need to address each point in turn so long as all the criteria are covered.
The second part is a detailed curriculum vitae, including summaries of your prior roles and achievements. Please include details for three referees including your current supervisor / manager (we will not contact referees without your approval). A covering letter is not needed.
Applications close: Tuesday, 29 July 2025 at 11.30pm AWST
More information
You are encouraged to contact Professor Janine Joyce, j.joyce@ecu.edu.au Associate Dean (Social Sciences, Social Work and Youth Work) to discuss the role and your application and learn more about the exciting opportunities ahead in the School of Arts and Humanities at Edith Cowan University. Please also read our School Plan (2024-2029) for additional information.
ECU is a diverse and inclusive workplace reflecting the differences in society. Specific strategies and initiatives are in place to address underrepresentation of specific groups. Applications are encouraged from suitably qualified people from all backgrounds. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
