Associate Professor in Social Work

Position Details 

• Continuing position | Full time
• Academic Level D | AU$169,706- $186,706 pa | 17% Superannuation
• Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country
• View Position Description

About the Position:

Flinders University is entering an exciting period of innovation and growth in Social Work education under its Impact. With Purpose Agenda 2035, with a strong focus on student success, impactful research, and meaningful community engagement. We are seeking an Associate Professor in Social Work to provide strategic leadership across teaching, research, engagement, and service, strengthening the University’s contribution to the Social Work profession nationally and internationally.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an established academic leader to shape the future of Social Work education and research through innovative teaching, impactful scholarship, and strategic partnerships. You will lead initiatives that advance socially responsive education, strengthen professional practice, and deliver research outcomes that influence policy, communities, and the broader social work profession.

In this position, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership in Social Work education, curriculum innovation, field education, accreditation, and the development of inclusive and contemporary learning experiences.
• Lead an impactful research program with demonstrated influence through high-quality publications, competitive funding success, research leadership, and knowledge translation.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with universities, government, professional bodies, industry, and communities to advance Social Work research, education, and engagement.
• Provide academic leadership through mentoring researchers and colleagues, supervising Higher Degree Research candidates, fostering a high-performing culture, and advancing the discipline nationally and internationally.

This position is open to national and international candidates, and relocation and visa support is available.

About You
You are an established Social Work academic leader with a recognised national and/or international reputation for excellence in research, teaching, and engagement. You bring a strong commitment to socially responsive education, social justice, and advancing the profession through scholarship, collaboration, and innovation.

You have demonstrated success in leading significant research programs, securing competitive funding, building strategic partnerships, and translating research into meaningful impact for policy, practice, and communities. As a collaborative and inclusive leader, you are passionate about developing people, strengthening academic capability, and shaping the future of Social Work education and research.

You will demonstrate:

• A PhD in Social Work or a closely related discipline (or an equivalent qualification), together with eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
• A nationally and/or internationally recognised research profile, with sustained high-quality publications, research impact, funding success, and leadership of significant research initiatives.
• A strong record of teaching and learning leadership, including curriculum innovation, program leadership, field education, accreditation, and quality assurance within Social Work education.
• Demonstrated academic leadership capability, including successful supervision of Higher Degree Research candidates, mentoring of researchers and colleagues, and the development of collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing academic cultures.

Life at Flinders 

They say know your place.  We say you've found it right here. 

Flinders University was founded on the belief that learning should open minds, celebrate individuality and give people the freedom to pursue their own point of view. That spirit lives on in our community of thinkers, doers and changemakers who challenge convention, and each other, to shape what comes next. 

Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them.  

So, why work at Flinders? 

• 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options  
• Flexible working arrangements  
• Awarded the AHEIA Higher Education Award for Workplace Culture Excellence due to our commitment to wellbeing through our Thriving@Flinders staff wellbeing program 
• Wide range of professional development activities and services, including exclusive staff study offers   
• We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff, as shown through our three SAGE Cygnet Awards.  
• Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campus health care services, gym and childcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia).  
• Recognised as a Veteran Employer of Choice  

Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment 

Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies. 

• Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan  
• Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy 

Prescribed Conditions for Employment

• Flinders University will require a current completed Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Gender Based Violence Declaration which is satisfactory to the University. The contract of Employment is conditional upon the receipt of these completed compliance checks. A disclosable outcome will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role.
• In addition, it is a requirement of this position that the incumbent maintain a current Working With Children Check which is satisfactory to the University in accordance with the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016 (SA).

How to Apply and Information 

• You are required to submit a CV, along with a Suitability Statement of no more than 3 pages, addressing the below Key Position Capabilities of the position description.
• For more information regarding this position, please contact Professor Kathomi Gatwiri

Applications to be submitted before 10:00 pm (ACST) on Monday, 24 August 2026.

Please note, late applications and applications sent via agencies will not be accepted. 

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. 

Certification

Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Flinders. Fearless.