Job Description

• Level D – Principal Research Fellow, for applications with a strong national reputation and demonstrated leadership in implementation science, research translation and impact; or
• Level E – Professor, for applicants with an outstanding international reputation, sustained academic leadership and significant influence on policy, practice and research translation at a national and international level.

Work with inspiring people who are driven to make a difference

About the position

La Trobe University is seeking an outstanding implementation scientist to join the Australian Autism Knowledge Hub (AAKH) as either a Professor (Level E) or Associate Professor (Level D). This is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in delivering a nationally significant initiative focused on translating research into real-world impact.

Embedded within the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC), this role offers a rare opportunity to influence how research is translated into policy, practice, and system-level outcomes across Australia.

You will provide senior academic leadership, driving the application of implementation science to ensure research meaningfully improves outcomes for Autistic people and the broader community.

The successful candidate will be appointed at either Level D (Associate Professor) or Level E (Professor), commensurate with their experience, academic standing, research track record, and leadership profile.

Duties at this level will include

• Providing leadership in implementation science and driving its application across large-scale research and translation initiatives
• Leading the design, delivery and evaluation of complex implementation programs aligned to national priorities
• Translating research into policy, practice and system-level impact
• Providing expert advice to government, industry and community stakeholders on systems change
• Building and sustaining strategic partnerships across sectors
• Leading and mentoring researchers, including supervision of Higher Degree by Research candidates
• Building capability in implementation science through training, mentoring and leadership
• Contributing to securing external funding and expanding collaborative research opportunities
• Contributing to the strategic development of the Australian Autism Knowledge Hub and OTARC.

Skills and knowledge required for the position

• A PhD or equivalent qualification in implementation science or a closely related discipline.
• A strong research track record and growing or established national/international reputation in implementation science or related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex research, implementation and/or translation programs.
• Proven ability to translate research into policy, practice or system-level change
• Experience building partnerships across government, community, industry and research sectors.
• Experience supervising Higher Degree by Research candidates and mentoring researchers and staff.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding and developing collaborative research opportunities.
• Excellent analytical, strategic and communication skills.