Director of Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change

Position Number:

Location: Parkville

Role type: Full-time; Professorial appointment continuing

Department/School: Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

Salary: Level D/E remuneration plus 17% superannuation

• Shape the national and international profile of the Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change (MCBC)
• Lead innovative, high-impact research that informs policy, clinical practice, and service delivery
• Foster collaboration across disciplines, external partnerships, and international networks

The University of Melbourne is seeking an internationally recognised academic leader to serve as Director of the Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change (MCBC). Reporting to the Head of the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, you will provide strategic vision and leadership to enhance the Centre's research capacity, education programs, and engagement initiatives. This role offers a unique opportunity to position MCBC as a national and international leader in behaviour change research and practice.

Your next career opportunity

As Director, you will guide the Centre's strategic direction, lead high-quality multidisciplinary research, and expand its impact through collaborations across the Faculty, University, and external partners. You will build and support research teams, secure competitive grant income, and ensure the sustainability of the Centre's work. You will also lead the development and delivery of innovative teaching programs, supervise postgraduate students, and contribute to the School's research-led teaching profile.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and implementing the vision and strategic objectives of MCBC
• Leading behaviour change research programs with measurable impact on policy, practice, and community outcomes
• Building collaborations nationally and internationally and securing competitive research funding
• Enhancing the Centre's teaching and research profile through program development and supervision of students
• Driving external engagement with government, industry, professional bodies, and community stakeholders
• Fostering a supportive and inclusive culture while mentoring early-career colleagues

You may be a great fit if:

You will be a scholar of international reputation with:

• A PhD in Psychology or a cognate discipline
• A distinguished record of applied psychology and behaviour change research, with publications in leading international journals
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary collaborations and secure significant competitive grant funding
• Strong academic leadership skills with experience mentoring staff and students
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills to build partnerships and foster collaboration
• Proven teaching excellence and a record of successful research supervision
• For Level E: evidence of translational research outcomes influencing policy, practice, or industry; significant leadership within professional and academic communities; and a recognised international reputation in the discipline

What we offer you

We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfillment, including:

• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

For more information check out our benefits page

Your new team - Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

The Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences (MSPS) is a global leader in psychological teaching and research, ranked 21st worldwide in the 2025 QS World Rankings. The School attracts outstanding students and staff from across Australia and internationally, with more than 5,400 students and a vibrant community of over 180 academic and professional staff engaged across a broad range of accredited undergraduate, graduate, professional, and research programs.

Our research excellence spans cognitive and behavioural neuroscience, clinical science, cognitive and mathematical psychology, and social and personality psychology, strengthened by collaborations with world-leading institutes, hospitals, and University partners across disciplines. Guided by values of collaboration, compassion, respect, integrity, and accountability, MSPS provides a dynamic, intellectually rich environment where innovation flourishes, impact is realised, and leading scholars shape the future of psychological science.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We believe the diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing reasonable adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. For assistance, please contact Kim Groizard on or at hr- (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments'). Contact details for other enquiries are located at the bottom of this page.

Find more information for applicants requiring reasonable adjustments.

Please note - This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a Working with Children Check. The successful candidate can apply for the WWCC as part of the onboarding process. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Join Us and unlock your career potential

If this sounds like your next opportunity, please apply with:

• Your resume
• A cover letter outlining your interest and experience
• The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Candidate Information Pack)

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Felicita Depaune via email at snr-, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

Candidate Information Pack: _Director of Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change_PD -

Applications close: Wednesday 29 October 2025 at 12:01 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) / Melbourne time zone.