Human Learning Research Fellow

Job Reference:

Full-time Continuing | Curtin Bentley Campus (Boorloo, Perth)

Lead Transformation in Human Learning and Innovation

Curtin University is a global leader in education, research and engagement. As part of our 2030 Vision, Curtin is committed to shaping the future of learning through innovation, inclusivity, and research excellence. The Faculty of Humanities sits at the forefront of this transformation, bringing together educators, researchers, and industry partners to reimagine what learning can be.

About the Role

This is a continuing teaching and research appointment within Curtin's Faculty of Humanities. The successful candidate will join the University as a professorial academic leader, with the opportunity to shape the future of education through both scholarship and practice.

For at least the first three years, the appointee will lead and undertake a dynamic program of action research, centred on the curation and application of high-quality, evidence-based research from psychology, neuroscience, and education.  The program of action research will be based on three priority areas:

• Agentic AI and Learning Modalities
• Challenge-Based Learning
• Peer-to-Peer Learning and Feedback

This work will directly inform and evolve two of Curtin's flagship initiatives: a developed Agentic AI System and Challenge Learning Program. You will play a key role in applying research to shape learning experiences that are scalable, inclusive, high-impact, and grounded in what we know about how humans learn.

At the conclusion of the three-years, the role will continue as a professorial teaching and research position, contributing to the Faculty of Humanities through sustained research leadership, curriculum innovation, and high-quality teaching. This dual structure ensures that while the first three years are dedicated to pioneering research and transformation, the long-term appointment embeds the successful candidate as a core member of Curtin's academic community.

Reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor, this professorial appointment offers a unique opportunity to lead both thought and systems innovation at Curtin. You will play a central role in Curtin's transformation toward agentic, personalised, and participatory education. Acting as an intellectual custodian of this shift, you will embed cutting-edge learning science into the University's digital tools, curriculum frameworks, and teaching practices - bridging research and real-world educational impact at scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Curate the Human Learning Evidence Base
• Lead and Undertake Action Research across Three core fields
• Drive Research-Enabled Systems Development
• Lead Research Teams and Secure Funding
• Collaborate Strategically with Leadership and Educators
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to design evidence informed learning experiences
• Disseminate Research and Build Institutional Reputation

Agentic AI and Learning Modalities You will play a foundational role in curating the research base that informs Curtin's developed Agentic AI system - an AI environment designed to support students and teachers symbiotically. The system draws from validated research on how humans learn, including learning modality clustering, influences on learning, and evidence-based strategies for self-regulation, cognitive scaffolding, and formative feedback.

Challenge-Based Learning Through Curtin's Futures Platforms, the Faculty of Humanities delivers cross-disciplinary, challenge-based units for both university and high school students. You will lead the design and undertaking of research into these challenges - exploring how students learn through inquiry, collaboration, and public contribution.

Peer-to-Peer Learning and Feedback You will advance research-informed peer learning strategies that enable students to give and receive meaningful peer feedback; collaborate in reciprocal learning communities, and gain graduate capabilities such as evaluative judgement, critical thinking, and collaborative responsibility.

What We're Looking For

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

• A doctoral qualification in Education, Learning Sciences, Educational Psychology, Cognitive Science, or related field.
• Internationally recognised research excellence in at least one of the three core focus areas.
• A sustained track record of competitive research funding and successful project delivery.
• Expertise in action-based research, design-based research, or implementation science applied to learning and teaching.
• Expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead interdisciplinary teams and mentor emerging scholars.
• Deep understanding of research translation into scalable, high-impact educational practices.
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to engage with academic, administrative, and technical stakeholders.
• A commitment to inclusive, ethical, and equity-enhancing educational innovation.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with large-scale AI or learning analytics systems.
• Experience working with digital development teams.
• Experience co-designing curriculum or assessment frameworks with students or external partners.
• Knowledge of TEQSA and AQF frameworks for curriculum and assessment design.
• Experience working in challenge-based, project-based, or experiential education.
• Background in peer learning design or educational technology for feedback systems.

Role Requirements As this is a continuing (permanent) role, you will require permanent work rights in Australia to be considered. Successful applicants are subject to a National Police Clearance, and background, integrity, and reference checks to Curtin's satisfaction  

Your New Team: About the Faculty of Humanities

Curtin's Faculty of Humanities is home to transformative learning and research across a diverse range of disciplines. The Faculty comprises three schools:

• School of Education - renowned for preparing educators and educational leaders across various sectors and communities.
• School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry - promoting creativity, critical thinking, and job-readiness through socially engaged education.
• School of Design and the Built Environment - focused on shaping urban, cultural, and environmental futures through sustainable design and practice.

Driving Strategic Impact through Futures Platforms This role is strategically aligned with the Faculty's Futures Platforms, which bring together interdisciplinary research and teaching to drive transformative change:

• Learning Futures - Reimagining education for excellence and equity.
• Global Futures - Addressing complex global challenges through research and innovation.
• Sustainable Futures - Building fair, low-carbon, and prosperous societies.
• Indigenous Futures - Embedding Indigenous knowledges and leadership in education and research.

In this role, you will contribute to both the Learning Futures and Global Futures Platforms, ensuring human-centred, evidence-informed learning is embedded across Curtin's education ecosystem. As an academic leader in our Faculty, you will be part of a vibrant research culture supported by nationally and internationally recognised research centres, networks and initiatives. For more information please visit:

About Curtin University

We are an energetic, dedicated team of academics and professionals working together to provide global solutions through quality graduates and innovative research. Curtin is a welcoming space where integrity, respect for one another, courage, excellence, and impact are essential to everyday life. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information, please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page -   

What We Offer You

Situated on Whadjuk Nyungar Country, our vibrant Bentley campus includes an art gallery, gym, childcare and medical centre, bus station, accessible parking and endless food options including a supermarket. Aside from the vibrant campus life, we offer more than just a job. Curtin offers a wide range of generous benefits, including additional leave, salary packaging, health and wellbeing services and an array of discounts for retail, travel and much more. For more information, check out our benefits page  For more reasons to work at Curtin, please visit

Join Us

If this sounds like your next role, please click APPLY NOW and provide the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and addressing the selection criteria for the role (outlined under "What we're looking for")

If you have any queries in relation to this opportunity or the application process, please contact Abby Fox at or our Curtin Careers team on

Applications close: Sunday 19th of October

Disclaimer: Please note that there is no standardised time for the closing of adverts on the specified date. Therefore, we recommend submitting your application ahead of this deadline. Late applications will not be considered, and only successful candidates will be contacted.

Curtin reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw from the recruitment process, not to make an appointment, or to appoint by invitation, at any time. We reserve the right to remove the advert earlier than the date on the advert.