Join Design Factory Melbourne at Swinburne University

Full-time, 2 year fixed-term position at our Hawthorn campus

Academic Level B + 17% super and attractive staff benefits

About the Role

Drive Contemporary Applied Innovation in a Practice-Led Environment

Swinburne University of Technology is seeking a Lecturer, Applied Innovation (2-year fixed term) to join Design Factory Melbourne (DFM) - a globally connected innovation hub embedded at the intersection of academia, industry and emerging startup ecosystems.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Swinburne’s Ad Astra 2030 ambitions, shaping future-focused, industry-integrated learner experiences while advancing contemporary approaches to applied innovation in both teaching and research.

At DFM, you will work within a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment that draws on real-world innovation practices from industry, startups and broader ecosystems. You’ll bring current applied innovation expertise into the classroom - designing and delivering hands-on, studio-based learning experiences that connect theory with the realities of innovation in practice.

This role offers flexibility across teaching, applied research and innovation services, with opportunities to contribute to DFM’s diverse portfolio of industry projects, co-created innovation initiatives and startup-facing engagements. You’ll play a key role in enabling students to develop future-ready capabilities through immersive, work-integrated learning experiences.

We’re seeking an emerging or established academic with experience in applied innovation, interdisciplinary or design-led learning, and a passion for bridging academic and industry practice.

If you are energised by working across education, industry and innovation ecosystems, and want to contribute to a dynamic environment shaping the next generation of applied innovation talent, we’d love to hear from you.

About You

To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:

• Demonstrated experience in teaching in a university setting.
• Demonstrated leadership or team coordination experience in higher education, including experience contributing to course teams, fostering a collaborative working environment, and supporting the delivery and enhancement of undergraduate curricula in alignment with institutional goals. (Desirable)
• Demonstrated capability to contribute to teaching a range of undergraduate and postgraduate innovation-based unit offerings.
• Demonstrated commitment to research in the university context including high quality publications (Desirable)

Qualifications

• A PHD tertiary qualification aligned to innovation methodology or equivalent demonstrated experience.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

Our Ad Astra strategy is the cornerstone of Swinburne’s bold ambition to lead globally in technology-driven education and research. This strategy positions us to create transformative solutions, empower learners, and partner with industry to thrive in an ever-changing world.

What We Offer You

• Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle.
• Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
• Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria and your suitability for this position.

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at talentacquisition@swin.edu.au

Applications Close: 5pm, Saturday 4th July 2026

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments can be requested at any stage of the recruitment process.

For reasonable adjustment requests - including accessible formats of the position description, application form, or other documents, please contact talentacquisition@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3550.

Please note: this phone number is for disability and reasonable adjustment enquiries only. General enquiries about the role can also be emailed to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au.

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.

As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.