Psychology at JCU is changing……over the last 3 years we have been laying the foundations to position our discipline at the forefront of addressing health challenges in the Tropics and our journey is only just beginning. Marked by unprecedented growth JCU Psychology has expanded its offerings to include an online foundational postgraduate bridging program and a Master of Professional Psychology designed to address the increasing demand for practitioners in rural areas.
As part of our continued commitment to the provision of world-class education and training the team at JCU Psychology are contemporising our curriculum and reinvigorating our research into areas that will benefit the people living and working in the Tropics, world-wide. We are looking for energised and enthusiastic professionals to join us as we embark on this exciting chapter of innovation and development.
We are building a team of professionals who embrace rigorous scholarship to advance and deepen our understanding of how changing contexts, new research, and evolving technologies are shaping mental health services in the community.
The training opportunities we provide, will prepare our graduates to work in applied settings using the highest standards of psychological practice and professional competence.
Delivering high quality teaching and learning programs in a research-rich environment, we are seeking people who share our vision of fostering professional expertise and intellectual curiosity. By bringing people together to share innovative ideas, build new knowledge and expertise, conduct world class research, and celebrate effective teaching practice and innovation in education we aim to elevate the opportunities and outcomes for our students. The people we seek will be committed to the communities in which we live and practice, fostering the development of strong ties with community organisations will ensure our ability to make a real difference in the Tropics, and on a global scale.
If this sounds like you consider one of these great opportunities and we hope to welcome you to the JCU community soon.
Warm regards,
Dr Lauren Shaw
Head of Psychology
JCU staff are committed to inspiring students through research and teaching excellence that brings together people and societies, the natural world, the built environment and experiential learning.
Join us as we expand JCU Psychology and touch the lives of the people of the Tropics through our education, research and engagement.
Harness your passion for change, your dedication to giving back and your drive to build or enhance your own career – a truly unique opportunity to combine all this while living in the tropical surrounds of North Queensland.
Successfully manage the Psychology Clinic located on our Townsville Campus.
You will develop and maintain client referrals as well as managing the daily operations of a busy clinic, and oversee the provision of professional training in Psychology for postgraduate students. You will supervise the internal student practicum, manage relationships with external stakeholders, and contribute to the education which enables postgraduate students to meet their professional graduate competencies.
With a postgraduate qualification in clinical psychology, you will hold full registration as a Psychologist with clinical endorsement recognised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and you will be a current Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) approved supervisor for higher degree placements.
You will also bring
Click here to visit the Careers at JCU website to submit a resume and covering letter via vacancy reference number 18732
Please feel free to contact Dr Lauren Shaw:
headpsychology@jcu.edu.au or (07) 478 16076
Contribute to the delivery and coordination of subjects in the Clinical Psychology Program
As a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, you will deliver and coordinate subjects in the undergraduate clinical pathway and our postgraduate Clinical Psychology Program. Sharing your knowledge, expertise and insight you will design innovative and effective curriculum, reflecting national and international best practices across all delivery platforms, directly shaping and developing the Psychologists of the future. Supervising students through their clinical placements you will also contribute to building a robust and collegial teaching and research culture within Psychology, helping to establish the discipline as an industry leader for many years to come.
As a passionate clinician and academic, you are motivated by realising outcomes through your teaching and giving back to your profession through your achievements and those of your undergraduate and post-graduate students.
You must also have:
Click here to visit the Careers at JCU website to submit a resume and covering letter via vacancy reference number 18524
Please feel free to contact Dr Lauren Shaw:
headpsychology@jcu.edu.au or (07) 478 16076
JCU is strongly committed to equity and diversity in the workplace and aspires to continue developing a workforce that reflects the diversity, capacities and capabilities of people from the regions in which we operate. We are committed to developing future leaders, building upon the wealth of wisdom and experience embodied by our current academic leaders, we will identify and nurture those who will take JCU into the future.
An appropriate and attractive salary will be offered including a range of flexible salary packaging options.
Generous superannuation scheme with up to 17% employer contributions.
JCU has an Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy.
Candidates are supported knowing JCU’s Vice Chancellor and senior management team are fully committed to the goals and strategies laid out in the Workforce Strategy to increase, retain and develop our Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
Increasing numbers of staff at JCU are undertaking cultural awareness training, so members on the selection panel should have an understanding of significant cultural differences.
For more current information on Indigenous-themed activities across the University click here
SAGE is a national program promoting gender equity and diversity in science, technology engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM). It is based on the principles of the UK's Athena SWAN Charter, an evaluation and accreditation framework that addresses the improvement of gender equity policies and practices in STEMM.
JCU is one of 45 organisations participating in the SAGE Pilot of the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises institutional capacity to eliminate gender inequity and a demonstrated commitment to bolster the hiring, promotion and retention of women, while also improving the workplace environment for people of all genders.
JCU has an extensive program in place to encourage diversity, examples of which include:
JCU has a comprehensive calendar of events that celebrate diversity. Joining the organisation in these activities, or participating as an invitee, is an effective way to participate in diversity focused activities. There are also many student organised events and staff are almost always welcome at these.
If you are interested in applying for a position at JCU and require assistance with making your application, please discuss your needs with the Chairperson for the position.
When offered an interview, please discuss with the person who contacts you any access assistance you may require, so this can be accommodated.
Refer to Working at JCU.
Should you have any additional questions not featured in our FAQs please contact the Chairperson in the first instance.
The University is committed to enhancing staff and student access, participation and success in higher education and embracing the diversity of the communities we serve. We acknowledge our responsibility to support mental health and wellness as part of our core business.
The JCU Mental Health and Wellness Strategy (2022-2026) has been designed in collaboration with students, staff and stakeholders. It presents an integrated model which:
The Strategy is based on three intersecting initiatives:
PROMOTE:
Provide education and policy, early recognition and action, promote self-care, and support help-seeking behaviours and capacity building for positive mental health.
PROTECT:
Foster a supportive and inclusive culture and environment addressing bullying and risks of suicide/harm while increasing protective factors to combat stigma and support positive mental health.
RESPOND:
Provide access to health and wellness support and resources that are flexible and intentional, and offer timely and respectful crisis responses.
Mental health is about wellness, rather than illness. Having social connections, good personal relationships and being part of a community are vital to maintaining good mental health and wellness.
Good mental health is when:
- You can work and study to your full potential
- You actively connect and participate with family, friends and your community
- You undertake enjoyable activities
- You are coping with everyday stressors, and
- You are able to bounce back reasonably quickly from unexpected challenges and changes.
We understand that university life is both exciting and stressful, so JCU has a range of people and services to support you.
Please click here to visit our dedicated Mental Health and Wellness page.
We’re looking for our employees of the future who subscribe to our values and beliefs and recognise that knowledge has the power to change lives. We ignite and support a passion for learning in our community and welcome dedicated professionals who can help us make a difference.
JCU is strongly committed to equity and diversity in the workplace and aspires to continue developing a workforce that reflects the diversity, capacities and capabilities of people from the regions in which we operate. We are committed to developing future leaders, building upon the wealth of wisdom and experience embodied by our current leaders, we will identify and nurture those who will take JCU into the future.
We are enriched by and celebrate our workplace diversity and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and abilities.
Jessica Oliva PhD - Senior Lecturer, Psychology
What do you enjoy most about JCU?
What I enjoy most about working at JCU is the collegiality, everyone is so friendly and inclusive, we share lunch breaks together when we can, and everyone is always willing to lend a hand and share their knowledge. The grounds are also like a tropical paradise, you are surrounded by beautiful flora and can see the occasional wallaby hopping by, it’s a pretty special place to work
What do you enjoy most about Townsville?
I moved to Townsville from my hometown of Melbourne. The thing I love most is the change in weather! I can wear summer clothes almost all year round, and can go stand-up paddleboarding before work every morning. The city is smaller than Melbourne, but you still have everything you need at your fingertips, and can drive almost anywhere in 20 minutes with minimal traffic. The lifestyle up here is much more relaxed and carefree, it didn’t take long to feel like home.
What is your Specialty / Research Interests?
My specialty area of research is human-animal interactions. My PhD investigated the role of the neuropeptide, oxytocin, in human-dog communication and attachment. More recently I’ve been looking at the experience of owning pets during COVID-19 lockdowns and owner-pet connectedness. Click here to learn more about my research passions.
With more than 320 days of sunshine and the Great Barrier Reef, Australian Outback and ancient rainforests as backyards, Townsville is the ideal location for adventure and relaxation.
As the largest urban centre in North Queensland, Townsville is a major commercial and tourism hub, providing opportunities for both business and recreation. Townsville's economy is diverse, ranging from education to retail and manufacturing. Townsville is small enough for you to escape the hustle and bustle of capital cities, yet large enough to host major events, including sport, music, theatre and festivals.
Townsville enjoys a tropical climate with less rainfall than elsewhere in the Tropics due to the city's geographical location. Winter in Townsville brings blue skies, warm days and cool nights due to south easterly trade winds. Summer brings balmy temperatures and increased rainfall with thunderstorms usually starting in late October.
For more information, visit Living in Townsville.
