Professor

General role description

Professors are senior academic leaders who play a central role in shaping research, teaching, and academic leadership within universities or medical research institutes.

They lead major research programmes, secure funding, supervise research teams and higher degree students, and contribute to national and international scientific communities.

Professors also help shape strategic priorities and mentor the next generation of researchers and educators.

Key responsibilities

  • Lead a programme of independent, high-impact research, including securing competitive grant funding
  • Supervise PhD, Honours, and postgraduate research students, and mentor early- and mid-career researchers
  • Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences
  • Provide academic leadership within their school, faculty, or institute, contributing to strategy, governance, and decision-making
  • Develop and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in their area of expertise
  • Collaborate with academic, clinical, industry, and community partners to support research translation and impact
  • Review grant applications and research papers as a peer reviewer, journal editor, or expert assessor
  • Represent the institution in external committees, panels, and advisory roles.

Workplace settings

  • Universities
  • In some cases, may hold a dual appointment with a medical research institute, hospital, public health organisation, or government health agency, in addition to their university appointment.

Required qualifications

  • A PhD in a relevant health, medical, or scientific discipline

Other notable requirements

Professors often require:

  • A national or international reputation in their research field
  • A distinguished track record of research outputs, funding, and academic leadership
  • Strong leadership skills and experience supervising and mentoring research students
  • Experience teaching and coordinating academic subjects or units
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to engage across disciplines and sectors.

Common entry points

Common Next Roles

Head of School or Department

Executive leadership roles (e.g. Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research)

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