Role signals
About this role
- Rural Clinical School
- Full-time, permanent position
- Full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $119,462 - $168,043 + 17% super (Academic Level B to C)
- This position is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates only, as a genuine occupational requirement, recognising the role’s responsibility to provide culturally informed leadership, guidance and mentorship in Indigenous health education, strengthen cultural safety, and build meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, communities and organisations.
- Based at our Toowoomba location
Acknowledgement of Country
The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ operates. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. We recognise their valuable contributions to Australian and global society.
About This Opportunity
Help shape a more culturally safe, connected and inclusive future for medical education and rural health. As Principal Specialty Supervisor, Indigenous Health Education and Engagement, you will provide influential academic and cultural leadership within the Darling Downs-South West Learning Community, working collaboratively with students, academics, clinical educators, professional staff and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Based at UQ’s Toowoomba Regional Clinical Unit, you will strengthen the integration of Indigenous perspectives across the Doctor of Medicine program, enrich the student experience, build meaningful community partnerships and help grow pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into medicine.
This is a purposeful opportunity to bring your expertise, relationships and lived or professional experience to work that can create lasting change across medical education and rural and regional communities.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Teaching: Lead and collaborate on the design, delivery, review and continuous improvement of Indigenous health, cultural safety and cultural competency learning experiences across the MD program, embedding Indigenous knowledges and perspectives in meaningful and respectful ways.
- Research and Scholarship: Contribute to Indigenous health and medical education scholarship, fostering community involvement in research, supporting principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and sharing outcomes through publications and conferences.
- Supervision and Researcher Development: Create opportunities for students to build research capability and strengthen collaborative research partnerships with Indigenous organisations and communities.
- Citizenship and Service: Provide leadership in cultural safety, community engagement and the DDSW Learning Community Growth Strategy, developing pathways into medicine and serving as a trusted cultural advisor and mentor to students and colleagues.
This is a teaching focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.
For further information, please click here to view the information booklet.
About You
The University of Queensland considers that to perform this role; it is essential that the person is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. It is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld). The position is therefore only open to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. The successful candidate will be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
- A Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or equivalent experience, with expert knowledge in Indigenous health, Indigenous health education, community engagement or Indigenous community development.
- Demonstrated ability to build trusted, respectful and effective relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, colleagues, communities, educational institutions and professional bodies.
- A genuine passion for mentoring and developing the next generation of medical professionals, including supporting pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into medicine.
- A strong understanding of cultural safety and the issues and opportunities associated with living, learning and working in rural and regional communities.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and provide leadership in integrating Indigenous perspectives, knowledges and practices into medical education and community engagement.
About UQ
As part of the UQ community, you will join a Group of Eight university recognised for excellence in teaching, research and engagement.
UQ offers a supportive and rewarding academic environment, with benefits including recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, access to exclusive internal‑only vacancies, cultural leave, and genuine career progression through the academic promotions process.
You will also have opportunities to connect with vibrant staff networks, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.
UQ is committed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ learning, discovery and engagement, and to playing a leading role in reconciliation in Australia. Guided by the University’s Strategic Plan, Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy, we work in partnership with communities to embed reconciliation across our operations.
Your cultural identity will be respected, valued and embraced, and you will be supported to contribute to an organisation that champions Indigenous voices.
Interested?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Riitta Partanen | Director, Rural Clinical School at r.partanen@uq.edu.au
For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume and cover letter summarizing how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.
Other Information
Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, professional registration (e.g. AHPRA) and criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.
You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.
We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing talent@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.
Applications close 16th of November 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-70108). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for late November to early December 2026.