Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor – Teaching and Research

Job Description:

About the role

• Employment Type: Full time – 35 hours per week
• Duration: Continuing
• Remuneration: Level C from $127k ; Level D from $155k plus 17% superannuation contributions and annual leave loading
• Location: Kensington Campus, Sydney, New South Wales
• Valid working rights are required

About us

UNSW Law & Justice is a top-ranking faculty and a global leader in law and criminology education and research, setting the pace in Australia for over 50 years. UNSW Law & Justice is committed to social justice and human rights, and to promoting meaningful change, consistent with UNSW’s strategic plan Progress for All and our Faculty strategy, Law & Justice 2030. Law & Justice 2030 emphasises several areas as critical to our teaching and research, including First Nations justice and the impact of AI and disruptive technologies. The School of Law, Society and Criminology is committed to the social relevance and impact of rigorous research and teaching. The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (BCCJ), jointly offered by the School of Law, Society and Criminology and the School of Social Sciences, is a three-year undergraduate degree program that offers a critical, interdisciplinary exploration of crime, justice, and social change. Grounded in research-led teaching and real-world engagement, the BCCJ challenges students to think beyond traditional approaches to criminology and to examine how justice systems impact individuals and communities. We are particularly committed to incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into our teaching and curriculum.

UNSW ranked 1st in Sydney and 13th globally for law and legal studies in the 2026 QS World University Rankings and retained our position as 1st in Australia in the Employer Reputation category by subject. We ranked 1^st in Australia and 18^th globally for criminology and criminal justice in Edurank for 2026.

Why this role matters

We are seeking a Senior Lecturer (Level C) or Associate Professor (Level D) in the School of Law, Society and Criminology at the Faculty of Law & Justice UNSW. We welcome applications from scholars with research expertise and a capacity to teach in our BCCJ, including the courses Criminology in Practice and Criminology Work Integrated Learning Placement. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this role.

Research and teaching staff are responsible for contributing to the School’s and the Faculty’s teaching programs, research, and engagement activities, and to carry out the duties expected of an academic at Senior Lecturer or Associate Professor level, as appropriate (you can access the UNSW Academic Expectations Framework here).

Successful appointees will be expected to develop and maintain a strong program of individual research and to participate actively in the School’s and Faculty’s research culture, and to convene and teach courses in the Faculty’s BCCJ program.

The role reports to the Head of School, Law Society and Criminology and has no direct reports aside from casual Teaching Fellows.

The level of appointment will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Skills and Experience

For Level C:

• A PhD in Criminology or a related discipline (or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience using quantitative and qualitative social science methodologies, with expertise in Indigenous knowledges highly desirable.
• Significant track record in research with outcomes of high quality and impact.
• Capacity to successfully recruit and/or supervise high calibre higher degree research students.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and convene courses in the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (BCCJ), including Criminology in Practice and Criminology Work Integrated Learning Placement, to a high standard, including through partnerships with industry and the use of innovative methods and educational technologies.
• Experience in curriculum development and improvement and ability to do so in the context of incorporating Indigenous-led approaches to advancing justice and equity.
• Evidence of the capacity to support and inspire students from diverse backgrounds and support student equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication, relationship building and organisational skills and the capacity to work collaboratively and contribute to the School’s service and engagement activities.
• 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.

For Level D:

• A PhD in Criminology or a related discipline (or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience using quantitative and qualitative social science methodologies, with expertise in Indigenous knowledges highly desirable.
• Significant track record in research with outcomes of high quality and high impact with clear evidence of the desire and ability to continually achieve research excellence and deliver research leadership.
• Excellent record of recruiting and supervising high calibre higher degree research students.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and convene courses in the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (BCCJ), including Criminology in Practice and Criminology Work Integrated Learning Placement, to a high standard, including through leading partnerships with industry and the use of innovative methods and educational technologies.
• Leadership in curriculum development and improvement especially in the context of incorporating Indigenous-led approaches to advancing justice and equity.
• Evidence of ability to advance and lead an inclusive culture of excellence in learning and teaching including through student equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Demonstrated leadership in building engagement and partnerships with the profession and industry.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication, relationship building and organisational skills and the capacity to work collaboratively and take a leadership role in the School’s service and engagement activities.
• 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.

To learn more about this position, and view the comprehensive responsibilities, skills and criteria list, a copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

Pre-Employment Checks:

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:

• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks
• Medical Checks and Assessments.

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

Benefits and Culture

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• 10 days cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as an Indigenous Employee Network including other Indigenous staff in the school
• 17% Superannuation and leave loading
• Flexible working
• Additional 3 days of leave over the Christmas Period
• Access to lifelong learning and career development
• Progressive HR practices

More information on the great staff benefits and culture can be found here.

How to Apply

Please click on Apply now to apply online.

Please upload your CV and a separate document outlining how your skills and experience match the skills and experience listed in the position description (this can be your cover letter).

Applications close: Sunday 19^th July 2026 (Sydney, Australia time).

Get in Touch

For questions relating to the role please contact:

Professor Lyria Bennett Moses
Head of School, Law, Society and Criminology, Faculty of Law and Justice

E: [email protected]

For any questions regarding the recruitment process please contact:

Anabel Wason

Talent Acquisition Consultant

E: [email protected]

For any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants who would like to discuss the Faculty’s Indigenous programs or engagement, please contact:

Charmaine Mumbulla
Director of Indigenous Legal Education
E: [email protected]

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed above.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disability, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, are encouraged. 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.