Director, Aerostructures Innovation Research

About the Role

Are you a visionary leader ready to shape the next decade of uncrewed aircraft systems and advanced manufacturing? Swinburne's Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub is seeking an inspiring and dynamic Director to drive world-class research, industry partnerships, and transformative impact in advanced air mobility, composite manufacturing and aerostructures.

As the Director, you will spearhead interdisciplinary research, collaborate with industry giants and government, and position AIR Hub as a recognised international centre of aerospace innovation. You will leverage cutting-edge facilities, including the $15m Industry 4.0 Testlab for Composites Manufacturing to accelerate breakthroughs in civil aerospace, eVTOL, and aeromedical air vehicles.

This is your opportunity to:

• Build and lead high-performing teams in a culture of creativity, innovation, and industry-driven collaboration.
• Forge strategic partnerships that deliver real-world impact and national/international recognition.
• Influence policy, drive research excellence, and mentor the next generation of talent.
• Shape the AIR Hub's strategic roadmap and be at the forefront of emerging aerospace technologies.
• Develop high-level funding opportunities for AIR Hub and associated researchers across Swinburne.

You will be a member of the Swinburne Research Hub's Executive Committee and will work closely with Swinburne's senior academics and research leaders across the University and have particular engagement with the School of Engineering providing leadership in research and teaching in relevant areas to the AIR Hub. You will drive research in uncrewed aircraft systems and foster strategic collaborations to build international research partnerships, attract significant industry funding, and produce quality publications.

If you are an internationally recognised research leader with a passion for innovation and a track record of driving high-impact outcomes, we want to hear from you

This is a fixed term role with an underlying ongoing position as a Professor within the School of Engineering.

About You

To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:

• Outstanding national and international reputation as a leader and an internationally recognised track record of research in a relevant field as evidenced by an extensive range of publications in top-tier journals and by measurable high impact outcomes.
• A consistent history of initiating, obtaining and managing competitive research grants and involvement in research through collaborations with other universities, business or government.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, develop and foster collaborative research outcomes among colleagues in an interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary setting and an ability to liaise and work closely with industry, business and the professions to undertake high impact externally funded projects.
• A track record of academic leadership including leadership of a major centre, research cluster/program or institute;
• Demonstrated links with the wider discipline research community and related industrial organisations and peak bodies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and manage staff to achieve national and international recognition through collaborations and joint research involving other universities, industry, the professions and government.

For more information please refer to the position description.

Qualifications

• A PhD in a relevant area of AIR Hub research or equivalent qualification.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne's strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research. 

What We Offer You

• Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle.
• Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
• Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page

To Apply

Please submit your CV, Cover Letter and Responses to the Key Selection Criteria.  

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page. 

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click 'apply' and you will be redirected to Swinburne's Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on

Applications Close: Sunday, 30 November 2025 at 11:30pm

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact at  or call

Please note the above number and DCR email address are for disability or reasonable adjustments queriesonly. General enquiries about the role can be sent to (general enquiries will not be answered by phone).

Victoria's Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.

As a signatory to Victoria's Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.  

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.