Psychology

Opportunities in Psychology

Join the Team

Welcome from the Head of Psychology

JCU's Head of Psychology Lauren Shaw

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

About JCU

This is Uni... but not as you know it


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.


Stories about Research and Teaching

Discover Psychology at JCU

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.

  • Ongoing professional and career development | Collaborative team environment
  • Work from home options | Time in lieu | Flexible work arrangements
  • Based in Townsville where you can enjoy a tropical lifestyle whilst achieving your career goals
  • Academic Level C: $129,607 - 148,787 + 17% superannuation contributions.

James Cook University (JCU) is creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally and globally.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Clinical Educator in Psychology to join the JCU Psychology Clinic based at the JCU Townsville Bebegu Yumba Campus.

We are offering flexible employment options for this role, including part-time, full-time, or job-share arrangements. We are committed to finding a solution that suits both the successful candidate and our team, ensuring a balance between professional and personal needs.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The role of Senior Clinical Educator, Psychology, involves effective leadership within the JCU Psychology Clinic situated on our Townsville Campus. As the Clinic Lead, your role focuses on providing primary clinical supervision for our postgraduate students. Your responsibilities will extend to the day-to-day educational activities of this dynamic clinic, ensuring the seamless operation of the clinic, nurturing client referrals and fostering relationships with external stakeholders. You will also make valuable contributions to the program which enables postgraduate students to meet their professional graduate competencies.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  • A postgraduate qualification in Clinical Psychology, endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist, recognition as a board-approved supervisor, and relevant experience are minimum requirements for supervising students in the Clinical Program.
  • Proven experience in providing quality supervision to provisionally registered psychologists.
  • Demonstrated leadership and management skills in people and resource management, fostering a positive, high-performing team culture.
  • Strong leadership experience in managing relationships with stakeholders at various levels, including industry representatives, consultants, and clients.
  • Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to engage with a diverse range of individuals and build collaborative working relationships with stakeholders.
  • Outstanding organizational, problem-solving, and administrative abilities, with a proven track record of prioritizing tasks, meeting competing deadlines, and exercising sound judgment and initiative.
  • Demonstrated ability to review and implement business improvement strategies that enhance the effective and efficient use of resources.

Special Conditions

  • It is a requirement of this position to:
    • hold and maintain ongoing registration with AHPRA as a Psychologist noting that endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist is required to provide supervision within the Clinical Program.
    • to be a Board-approved supervisor registered with the Psychology Board of Australia
How to Apply

Are you ready to make a difference? Join us at JCU, where your future meets the tropics.

Click the ‘apply’ button to fill out an application form or apply directly via the JCU careers page and follow the below steps:

  1. Complete the application form
  2. Upload your current resume
  3. Upload a cover letter outlining your relevant experience in relation to the key requirements of the role and how your skills and experience will ensure your success in the role.

Applications close on Monday 28 October at 11:55 PM AEST.

Please feel free to contact Dr Lauren Shaw:

headpsychology@jcu.edu.au or (07) 478 16076


  • Ongoing professional and career development | Collaborative team environment
  • Work from home options | Time in lieu | Flexible work arrangements
  • Based in Townsville where you can enjoy a tropical lifestyle whilst achieving your career goals
  • Academic Level C: $129,607 - 148,787 + 17% superannuation contributions.

James Cook University (JCU) is creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally and globally.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology to join our Psychology team at the College of Healthcare Sciences based in Townsville.

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will provide high-quality, student-focused teaching, develop innovative curricula, and contribute to research excellence. The role involves delivering and coordinating subjects in postgraduate clinical psychology programs, supervising clinical psychology students, and collaborating across postgraduate psychology programs.  You will also foster strong research engagement and supervision, contributing to the school's overall research achievements.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  1. You must hold a postgraduate qualification in Clinical Psychology, with endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist and recognition as a board-approved supervisor, as this is a minimum requirement for supervising students in the Clinical Program.
  2. Proven ability to lead, design, develop, implement, and deliver innovative psychology curricula, including learning activities and assessments.
  3. A track record of research publications, relative to opportunity, with demonstrated quality and impact, along with success in securing research funding through grants, contracts, or consultancies.
  4. Experience in leading and managing people and resources, fostering a positive, high-performing team culture.

Special Conditions

  • It is a requirement of this position:
    • the incumbent be available to travel to other JCU campuses as directed.
    • to hold and maintain ongoing registration with AHPRA as a Psychologist with endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist.
    • to be a Board-approved supervisor registered with the Psychology Board of Australia.
How to Apply

Are you ready to make a difference? Join us at JCU, where your future meets the tropics.

Click the ‘apply’ button to fill out an application form or apply directly via the JCU careers page and follow the below steps:

  1. Complete the application form
  2. Upload your current resume
  3. Upload a cover letter outlining your relevant experience in relation to the key requirements of the role and how your skills and experience will ensure your success in the role.

Applications close on Monday 28 October at 11:55 PM AEST.

Please feel free to contact Dr Lauren Shaw:

headpsychology@jcu.edu.au or (07) 478 16076


  • Ongoing professional and career development | Collaborative team environment
  • Work from home options | Time in lieu | Flexible work arrangements
  • Based in Townsville where you can enjoy a tropical lifestyle whilst achieving your career goals
  • Academic Level C: $129,607 - 148,787 + 17% superannuation contributions.

James Cook University (JCU) is creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally and globally.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology to join our Psychology team at the College of Healthcare Sciences based in Townsville.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Master of Professional Psychology provides high-quality, student-focused teaching, develops innovative curricula, and contributes to research excellence. The role includes leading the design and delivery of innovative curriculum in the postgraduate program, with opportunities to coordinate the Master of Professional Psychology course.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  1. You must hold a postgraduate qualification in Psychology from an accredited tertiary institution with with relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or training (minimum requirement: Master of Psychology – professional or clinical).
  2. Proven ability to lead, design, develop, implement, and deliver innovative psychology curricula, including learning activities and assessments.
  3. Proven ability to deliver high-quality teaching and supervision in core areas of psychology, particularly in areas related to professional practice such as counseling and psychological assessment.
  4. A track record of research publications, relative to opportunity, demonstrating quality and impact, along with successful acquisition of research funding through grants, contracts, or consultancies.
  5. Demonstrated understanding of equity and diversity principles, along with knowledge of occupational health and safety responsibilities, and a commitment to relevant training.
  6. Experience in coordinating a postgraduate psychology program, including managing curriculum design, student progression, and assessment to ensure excellent educational outcomes.

Special Conditions

  • It is a requirement of this position:
    • the incumbent be available to travel to other JCU campuses as directed.
    • to hold and maintain ongoing registration with AHPRA as a Psychologist.
    • to be a Board-approved supervisor registered with the Psychology Board of Australia.
How to Apply

Are you ready to make a difference? Join us at JCU, where your future meets the tropics.

Click the ‘apply’ button to fill out an application form or apply directly via the JCU careers page and follow the below steps:

  1. Complete the application form
  2. Upload your current resume
  3. Upload a cover letter outlining your relevant experience in relation to the key requirements of the role and how your skills and experience will ensure your success in the role.

Applications close on Monday 28 October at 11:55 PM AEST.

Please feel free to contact Dr Lauren Shaw:

Please feel free to contact Dr Lauren Shaw:

headpsychology@jcu.edu.au or (07) 478 16076


Benefits of Working at JCU

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.

Remuneration Package

An appropriate and attractive salary will be offered including a range of flexible salary packaging options.

Benefits
  • Five weeks’ annual recreation leave
  • Annual Leave Loading
  • Cash out annual leave and time in lieu options
  • Generous sick, carer's and cultural leave
  • Generous long service leave pro-rata at 7 years
  • Up to 6 months fully paid parental leave
  • Flexible working options
  • Ongoing professional and career development
  • Attractive options for salary packaging
  • Staff study assistance and paid study leave
  • Fitness Passport
  • Access to online media subscriptions
  • Corporate discount on health insurance
  • Free Employee Assistance Program (Coaching and Counselling)
  • On-campus cafés, gym, pool, hairdresser, post office and childcare
  • Re-location and immigration assistance can be negotiated
  • Balance of work and life so you can enjoy a lifestyle that supports a diverse range of leisure and sporting interests
Superannuation

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 (Science and Gender Equity)

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 encourages diversity

JCU has an extensive program in place to encourage diversity, examples of which include:

  • Diversity messages in our recruitment advertising, such as, “We are enriched by and celebrate our workplace diversity and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and abilities”.
  • Extensive event calendar where JCU students and staff come together to acknowledge, celebrate and raise awareness of the diverse groups that make up our community, including Harmony Day, International Women’s Day, NAIDOC Week, Disability Action Week, IDAHOT (International Day Against Homophobia), Transphobia and Biphobia.
  • Diversity training for all staff.

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.

Access to disability services during recruitment and selection

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.

Benefits available to JCU employees

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:

  • Recognises diversity, voice, and reconciliation
  • Develops student and staff agency
  • Supports actions and commitments that are culturally informed, sustainable, and connected to community.

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.

A diagram showing how the pillars of promote, protect and repsond are linked

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.


Your 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.


Staff Spotlight

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.

Making a difference

Discover Dr Liza van Eijk's research profile

A group of students sitting on a sunny beach in Tropical North Queensland.

Discover Townsville

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.

For more information

Phone: +61 7 4781 3118  Email: headpsychology@jcu.edu.au