Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Education Focused)

• Full time continuing academic Lecturer/Senior Lecturer Education Focused positions at The University of Sydney
• Opportunity for the best and brightest talented educators to be part of our future at Sydney Conservatorium of Music
• Base Salary Level B and Level C $118,390 p.a. - $167,221 p.a. + 17% superannuation + access to up to AUD$30K to support education-related activities, including education-related research and education-related professional development and learning 

About the opportunity

The University of Sydney welcomes applications for Sydney Horizon Educators in the academic disciplines outlined below, during an exciting and innovative time. With the introduction of the new University of Sydney Enterprise Agreement 2023-26, the University has committed to establishing and advertising new continuing education-focused (EF) academic positions in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Successful candidates will join the Sydney Horizon Educators cohort. For further insights into this exciting opportunity, we invite you to watch this video.

The University aims to attract and retain the best and brightest emerging academics. Positions in the current round are for talented educators with a passion for, and demonstrated excellence in, educational practice and innovation, and research capability (in disciplinary and/or education-related research). This newly-recruited group of educators will support an uplift in the teaching capability and student experience at the University of Sydney, while also developing as leaders in the education space at the University. 

You will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to teaching and learning design, delivery, and evaluation in your specialised field while you also contribute to research in relation to your discipline and/or your educational practice. As part of this role, you will also contribute to the governance, leadership, and engagement work of your employing school, particularly as it relates to education. 

Successful candidates will be expected to dedicate most of their contribution to teaching and teaching-related activities (70%), while also engaging in research (20%) and governance, leadership, and engagement (10%).  Successful appointees support, coordinate, and teach undergraduate and postgraduate coursework Units of Study. These positions may also assist and guide the academic coordinators of other units within the discipline. 

Over time, staff appointed to these roles will be supported to engage with professional development opportunities to build their capability to lead change and improvement in teaching at the University. 

Located near the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Conservatorium of Music (SCM) is Australia’s premier tertiary music institution and one of the most active musical institutions in the country. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses from diploma to doctoral levels. Comprising 1400 music degree students and teaching many others through the other campuses of the university, the Sydney Conservatorium is part of The University of Sydney, Australia’s first university. 

The handbook for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music outlines the range of teaching that is offered. 

Your key responsibilities will be to: 

• Undertake a leadership role in educational innovation, curriculum design and review, contributing to outstanding educational delivery and outcomes
• Design and engage in high-quality teaching and learning experiences which meet the University’s expectations and standards for education
• Deliver outstanding teaching and learning outcomes for students
• Develop teaching and subject materials, working with more senior academics within the University
• Through research and scholarly creative work, contribute to knowledge within your discipline or area of expertise, particularly as it relates to teaching and learning in your discipline
• Develop and refine your research skills, particularly as they relate to evaluating and improving teaching and learning in your discipline
• Maintain quality, standards and excellence in your educational activities and output
• Contribute to the governance, leadership, and engagement work in your school. 

The University of Sydney is recognised as one of the top research and teaching universities in the world. 

(Please note when submitting your application, select the position(s) you would like to apply for) To build on this performance, the University is seeking applications for the following positions: 

Lecturer in Music Skills (Education-Focused) (Level B) 

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music seeks to appoint an emerging scholar with expertise in Western Art music theory who can contribute to the teaching needs of the institution in music skills. The successful candidate will be part of the Musicology Division and will contribute to lecturing and small-group teaching for existing units of study. They may also be required to take on coordination roles and, after the first year, may have an opportunity to develop new units of study in areas that are related to their interests. 

The selection criteria are:

• A PhD on a music-theoretical topic (essential)
• Experience in teaching harmony, analysis, and/or aural training at the undergraduate level (essential)
• Publications with a focus on Western Art music theory, which may include the pedagogy of music skills (essential)
• A secondary area of music-theoretical experience (e.g. history of music theory, popular music analysis etc.) (desirable)
• Experience teaching postgraduate students and supervising postgraduate research projects (desirable). 

Senior Lecturer in Historical Musicology (Education-Focused) (Level C) 

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music is seeking to appoint a scholar with expertise in Western Art music who can contribute to the teaching needs of the institution in one of two areas: (1) Medieval/Renaissance Music, or (2) Music since 1900. The successful candidate will be part of the Musicology Division and will contribute to lecturing and small-group teaching for existing units of study. They may also be required to take on coordination roles and, after the first year, will have an opportunity to develop new units of study in areas that are related to their own interests. 

The selection criteria are:

• A PhD and publications on Western Art music (which may include music-history pedagogy) (essential)
• A significant track record in music history pedagogy, including demonstrable success in designing curricula and innovative classes in musicology at undergraduate level (essential)
• A secondary area of musical or musicological expertise (either in another area of historical musicology or in a related discipline such as music theory, ethnomusicology, performance, music skills, or composition) (desirable)
• Experience teaching postgraduate students and supervising postgraduate research projects (desirable). 

Senior Lecturer in Music Education (Education-Focused) (Level C) 

Commensurate with Senior Lecturer status, the successful applicant can effectively communicate with and mentor pre-service music education degree students undertaking a New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA)-accredited ITE (Initial Teacher Education) program. It is expected they have familiarity with NESA for AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) teacher accreditation and understand ITE accreditation. 

The selection criteria are:

• Demonstrated substantial teaching experience as an expert music classroom practitioner with an extensive knowledge of primary and secondary classroom music (essential)
• Knowledge of current (and planned) NSW music syllabus, stages 4 to 6 including HSC Music 1 and HSC Music 2 (desirable)
• Already acknowledged as an innovative, leading music educator (essential)
• In addition to having a doctoral degree in music and/or education (or equivalent experience), expertise working in significant methods (e.g. Kodaly Method, Orff-Keetman Schulwerk etc.) (desirable)
• An ongoing engagement in research related to the field of music education (desirable)
• Ability to teach a range of music pedagogies drawn from the latest research (essential). 

Senior Lecturer in Instrumental Composition (Education-Focused) (Level C) 

The successful applicant for this role will help students to develop a unique artistic voice in the context of diverse perspectives and global narratives. To this end, the ideal candidate will embrace inclusive approaches to composition in this era of aesthetic diversity.  

The selection criteria are:

• A doctoral degree in music composition (essential)
• Demonstrated substantial composition teaching experience, especially in one-to-one teaching, class-based instrumental-focused authentic composition teaching, and developing or delivering notation-based composition electives (essential)
• Extensive experience working as an art music composer with professional-level ensembles (especially orchestras, wind symphonies, chamber ensembles and choral/vocal ensembles) commensurate with Senior Lecturer status (essential)
• ability to effectively mentor composition degree students writing for and working with similar ensembles (essential)
• Experience working in cross-cultural or intercultural composition scenarios, including contrasting musical traditions (desirable). 

The aims of these education focused roles are to attract and retain the best and brightest emerging academics, within a specialised category of academic engagement for talented educators with a passion for, and demonstrated excellence in, pedagogical practice and educational innovation. 

About you 

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talented academics who align to these values and who will lead our teaching and research work at the university in the years to come. You will join a dynamic, engaged group in a highly collaborative and supportive teaching and research environment.    

We are looking for candidates who understand the principles and pedagogy of good curriculum and assessment design, and who will make a significant contribution to improving the student experience at the University. Successful candidates will understand or be willing to learn the research principles around teaching and learning design, delivery, and evaluation. They will have a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with students, facilitating and guiding their learning in research, theory and laboratory sessions. They will also have demonstrated ability to conduct research and a willingness to develop a program of education-related research over time. 

We are therefore looking for Sydney Horizon Educators who have: 

• A PhD or nearly completed a PhD in an academic field relevant to the discipline
• Experience in assessment, feedback and learning by design
• Experience in contributing to outstanding educational design, delivery, evaluation and outcomes
• A developing network of relationships with key academic, industry or professional institutions partners and stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience in supervising or mentoring others and/or coordinating team activities
• Sound experience of teaching and learning, and the ability to contribute to teaching at undergraduate, honours and postgraduate levels in lecture, tutorial and practical settings.
• A high level of interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• A record of excellent teaching, learning, and assessment practice in a tertiary environment, as evidenced through student and supervisor feedback
• High-level written and verbal communication skills
• The capacity to engage students and enable a supportive, inclusive learning environment
• Proven experience in designing, implementing and evaluating teaching and learning initiatives
• A demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching
• The ability to work collaboratively with other staff, including professional staff, and foster principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Senior Lecturers, who, in addition to the above can demonstrate: 

• Their knowledge and understanding of the key, strategic, education-related issues in the higher education sector and/or the University
• Their track record as an experienced and effective unit, course or program coordinator or director (especially for large classes), as evidenced by student and staff feedback
• Some experience in people leadership within the higher education sector
• Significant capability in educational leadership, service, governance, and engagement (either through their work at a university or through association with a non-university organisation). 

The position level will be determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, and knowledge assessed by the selection committee. 

Pre-employment checks 

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment. 

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus. 

EEO statement 

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, including women.  

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.  

How to apply 

Please prepare and upload a statement indicating how you believe you meet the selection criteria outlined under each role in the advertisement (maximum 3 A4 pages) and a CV which can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. Applications will be reviewed as received. 

Current employee of the University or a contingent worker with access to Workday, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply. 

Anticipated timelines  

Please refer to the Recruitment Guidelines for key information about this recruitment campaign.  

Contact Information

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Rae Hao, Recruitment Consultant. Recruitment Operations, Human Resources on +61 2 8627 0063 or by email hr.recruitmentcampaign@sydney.edu.au 

© The University of Sydney 

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. 

Click to view the following Position Description for these roles: 

• Lecturer (Education Focused) – Level B
• Senior Lecturer (Education Focused) – Level C