Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Construction Project Management - Job Opportunity at Queensland University of Technology

Brisbane, Australia
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 19, 2025
Hybrid
AUD 139,657 - 161,054 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive parental leave package including up to 26 weeks primary carer leave with superannuation benefits, positioning QUT as a family-friendly employer in the competitive academic market
Premium health insurance discounts and Fitness Passport access, demonstrating commitment to employee wellness beyond standard university offerings
Advanced salary packaging scheme covering superannuation, vehicle leasing, and campus services, providing significant tax advantages and lifestyle benefits
Extended maternity leave with full superannuation continuation, exceeding Australian statutory requirements and supporting career continuity for academic mothers
Purchased Leave Scheme allowing up to 8 additional weeks off, offering exceptional work-life balance flexibility rare in academic institutions
Professional development funding and study assistance schemes supporting continuous learning and career advancement in the rapidly evolving construction education sector

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic development and integration of cutting-edge research programs that position QUT as the premier construction project management education provider in Queensland, directly impacting industry standards and practices
Drive innovation in sustainability, climate adaptation, and carbon management solutions for the built environment, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals and establishing thought leadership in green construction
Deliver transformational education across undergraduate honors and postgraduate programs, shaping the next generation of construction leaders who will address Australia's infrastructure challenges
Build and maintain high-value industry partnerships with major construction firms, government agencies, and professional bodies, creating revenue streams and employment pathways for graduates
Establish cross-disciplinary research collaborations that break traditional silos, positioning the university at the forefront of integrated built environment solutions
Supervise and mentor doctoral candidates conducting research that will influence national construction policy and practice standards
Contribute to the Project Management Academy's executive education programs, generating significant revenue while building QUT's corporate training reputation

Requirements

Education

Completion of a PhD in Construction Management, Project Management or Quantity Surveying, or a closely related field, or equivalent experience, accreditation or standing

Experience

Real world experience in the Australian construction industry will be regarded favourably. Experience in developing and maintaining a research program in the areas of research outlined in the position information above as demonstrated by high-quality publications, success in attracting research funding, effective engagement in research projects, and successful supervision of student research projects

Required Skills

Demonstrated track record in high-quality teaching within construction management and/or project management including an ability to teach practically orientated curricula across a range of levels Expertise in some or all of onsite construction planning and activities, digital technologies, project procurement, risk management, systems thinking, construction economics or construction law and legislation Demonstrated ability in building partnerships with industry, professional associations (including the Australian Institute of Building) government or community groups Demonstrated ability to cooperate and collaborate well with others in a team with diverse backgrounds and expertise Personal drive and integrity and demonstrated capacity to embrace and participate in change

Certifications

Professional association membership (Australian Institute of Building preferred) Relevant industry accreditation or equivalent standing
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Industry Trends

The Australian construction industry is experiencing unprecedented digital transformation, with Building Information Modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence, and IoT technologies revolutionizing project delivery methods. This creates massive demand for academic leaders who can bridge traditional construction knowledge with emerging digital competencies, making this role critical for preparing industry-ready graduates. Sustainability and climate resilience have become mandatory considerations in Australian construction projects, driven by government net-zero commitments and extreme weather events. Universities are racing to develop expertise in green building technologies, carbon accounting, and climate-adaptive design, positioning construction project management education as a strategic growth area. The Australian construction sector faces a severe skills shortage, with Infrastructure Australia projecting a need for 200,000 additional workers by 2030. This creates exceptional opportunities for academic institutions to expand programs, secure government funding, and establish industry partnerships, making senior academic roles highly competitive and strategically important.

Salary Evaluation

The provided salary range of AUD 139,657 - 161,054 is highly competitive for Australian academic positions, sitting approximately 15-20% above median university lecturer salaries. Including the comprehensive benefits package (17% superannuation, 17.5% leave loading), the total remuneration package reaches approximately AUD 165,000-190,000, positioning this role in the top quartile of academic compensation nationally.

Role Significance

Typically manages 3-8 direct reports including junior academics, research associates, and administrative staff, while collaborating with 15-25 faculty members across the School of Architecture and Built Environment. The role involves supervising 8-15 PhD candidates and coordinating with industry advisory boards comprising senior construction executives.
This is a senior academic leadership position with significant autonomy and strategic influence. The role combines research leadership, program development, and industry engagement responsibilities typically associated with Associate Professor-level impact. The successful candidate will shape curriculum direction, lead major research initiatives, and represent the university in high-level industry forums.

Key Projects

Leading multi-million dollar research projects funded by Australian Research Council investigating sustainable construction technologies and climate-resilient infrastructure design Developing industry-sponsored research programs with major construction firms like Lendlease, John Holland, and CPB Contractors, focusing on digital transformation and productivity improvement Creating executive education programs for construction industry leaders, generating significant revenue while building university-industry partnerships

Success Factors

Exceptional ability to translate complex academic research into practical industry applications, as the Australian construction sector values immediate applicability over theoretical contributions. Success requires maintaining credibility with both academic peers and industry executives. Strong network within the Australian construction industry, particularly with major contractors, government infrastructure agencies, and professional bodies like the Australian Institute of Building. Industry relationships directly impact research funding, student placement, and program relevance. Proven track record in securing competitive research funding from sources like the Australian Research Council, Cooperative Research Centres, and industry partners. Funding success determines research capacity, team building, and academic progression opportunities. Leadership skills for managing diverse academic teams while fostering innovation in a traditionally conservative industry. The role requires balancing academic rigor with industry pragmatism while driving digital transformation initiatives.

Market Demand

Extremely high demand driven by Australia's construction boom, infrastructure investment pipeline, and critical skills shortage in construction management education. The combination of industry experience requirements and PhD qualifications creates a limited candidate pool, making qualified applicants highly sought after across multiple universities.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Digital construction technologies expertise including BIM, IoT, and AI applications is absolutely essential as the industry undergoes rapid technological transformation. Without these skills, academic credibility and curriculum relevance cannot be maintained in the current market environment. Industry partnership development capabilities are crucial for securing research funding, student placements, and program validation. The Australian construction sector's collaborative culture means academic success depends heavily on maintaining strong professional networks and industry relationships. Research publication and grant acquisition skills are fundamental for career progression and institutional impact. Australian academic promotion criteria heavily weight research output, making publication productivity and funding success essential for long-term career viability. Sustainability and climate resilience knowledge is increasingly critical as government regulations and industry standards evolve rapidly. Academic leaders must understand green building technologies, carbon management, and climate adaptation strategies to maintain program relevance.

Beneficial Skills

International construction market knowledge, particularly in Asia-Pacific region, enhances research collaboration opportunities and attracts international students to QUT programs, supporting the university's global engagement strategies Policy development experience with government agencies provides valuable insights for shaping Australian construction standards and accessing public sector funding opportunities for research and education initiatives Entrepreneurial skills for developing commercial research applications and spin-off ventures, capitalizing on Australia's growing construction technology sector and university commercialization incentives Cross-cultural competency for engaging with Australia's increasingly diverse construction workforce and international student populations, supporting QUT's multicultural academic environment and industry partnerships

Unique Aspects

Rare opportunity to shape construction project management education during Australia's largest infrastructure investment period, with potential to influence national industry standards and practices through curriculum development and research leadership
Access to QUT's Project Management Academy providing direct engagement with senior construction executives, creating unique opportunities for applied research, consulting revenue, and industry intelligence that few academic positions offer
Integration with Brisbane's Olympic Games preparation activities and major infrastructure projects, providing unparalleled research opportunities and student placement options that will define career trajectories for the next decade
Leadership role in addressing Australia's construction industry skills crisis through innovative education delivery, potentially influencing government policy and securing significant public funding for program expansion

Career Growth

Career progression to Associate Professor level typically occurs within 3-5 years given strong industry demand and limited candidate pool. Transition to senior industry executive roles possible within 2-3 years due to critical shortage of leaders combining academic rigor with practical experience.

Potential Next Roles

Associate Professor or Professor positions at prestigious universities like University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, or UNSW, with increased research leadership and international recognition Senior industry executive roles such as Head of Innovation at major construction firms like Lendlease or Multiplex, leveraging academic credibility and industry knowledge Director positions at government agencies like Infrastructure Australia or state-level infrastructure bodies, influencing national construction policy and standards Consulting firm leadership roles establishing specialized construction management consultancies serving both industry and government clients

Company Overview

Queensland University of Technology

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is Australia's leading technology-focused university, consistently ranked in the top 200 globally with particular strength in engineering and built environment disciplines. With over 50,000 students and strong industry connections, QUT has established itself as the premier provider of construction and project management education in Queensland, benefiting from Brisbane's position as Australia's fastest-growing capital city.

QUT holds the dominant market position in Queensland's construction education sector, with its Built Environment programs consistently achieving the highest graduate employment rates in Australia. The university's 'real world' focus and industry partnerships provide competitive advantages over traditional research-intensive universities, making it the preferred education provider for major construction companies.
Brisbane's position as the epicenter of Australia's infrastructure boom, with major projects like Cross River Rail, Brisbane Metro, and Olympic Games preparation, provides unprecedented opportunities for industry engagement and research collaboration. QUT's Gardens Point campus location in Brisbane's CBD offers direct access to government agencies, major contractors, and professional associations.
QUT's culture emphasizes practical application, industry collaboration, and innovation, creating an environment where academic excellence combines with real-world impact. The university's commitment to diversity and inclusion, demonstrated through comprehensive Indigenous employment strategies and flexible work arrangements, reflects progressive values attractive to top academic talent.
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