Senior Lecturer, Journalism

Job Description

• Full-time, Ongoing position at Academic Level C.
• Parramatta South campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: $150,081 - $172,392 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Support high-quality teaching and research in Journalism within the School of Arts at Western Sydney University.

The Opportunity

Western Sydney University is seeking a Senior Lecturer in Journalism to join the Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts, Business, Education, and Law (SABEL), within the School of Arts. This is a full-time, ongoing academic appointment based at the Parramatta South campus, with a primary focus on teaching into the University’s School of Arts’ Media and Communication discipline.

The Senior Lecturer in Journalism will contribute to teaching, curriculum development, research, and industry engagement within the School of Arts’ Media and Communication discipline. Journalism is an important area within the School, integrating theoretical approaches to news and information-based media with the development of practical journalistic and storytelling skills for online, print and broadcast platforms. The program plays a central role in supporting journalism-focused subjects across undergraduate programs and contributes to the School’s broader strengths in cultural analysis, creative practice, and media engagement. The position has a strong outward-facing dimension.

Industry partners and cultural organisations are recognised as key external stakeholders in the ongoing development of the School’s Journalism program. The appointee will contribute to strengthening relationships with new and existing media industries and partnerships, in addition to relevant national and international professional and academic networks. The appointee will contribute to the continued consolidation and strategic positioning of Journalism within the School through high-quality teaching, research, research-led and/or practice-led research in creative practice, industry engagement, and collegial collaboration at both a national and global level.

What Success Looks Like:

1. Coordinate, design, deliver, and evaluate undergraduate subjects in the Journalism Major and Communication Core, including assessment and feedback.
2. Deliver high-quality teaching that integrates critical analysis and creative thinking with appropriate practice-led outputs, foster professional-level skills, and support both written and creative forms of assessment.
3. Supervise undergraduate research, research-led and/or practice-led research in creative projects, and where appropriate, contribute to Higher Degree Research supervision.
4. Maintain an active research profile in both traditional and non-traditional areas (i. e. creative practice) in Journalism, evidenced through both peer-reviewed publications and NTROs (non-traditional research outputs).
5. Support the development of partnerships with relevant cultural and industry organisations, including opportunities for work-integrated learning and collaborative engagement where appropriate.
6. Participate in curriculum development, discipline planning, and broader School and Faculty initiatives.
7. Contribute to School and Faculty administration and attend meetings as required.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

1. Must have a PhD in Journalism, Media Studies or related field.
2. Strong record of university-level teaching in journalism, including evidence of research and creative practice-informed teaching practice.
3. Evidence of research capability appropriate to Level C, demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and possibly recognised creative works NTROs.
4. Evidence of ability to attract funding and grants for academic and/or creative projects.
5. Capacity to integrate lateral/creative thinking and critical/theoretical inquiry within creative practice approaches journalism and media.
6. Experience in supervising undergraduate research and creative projects; experience in supervising HDR students is desirable.
7. Ability to contribute to curriculum development across both critical and practice-led subjects within the Journalism stream.
8. Established or emerging professional creative engagement with industry, cultural institutions, or relevant professional networks at both national and international levels.
9. Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.

Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Associate Professor Nicole Bridges, Head of Discipline, Media and Communication via [email protected]. Please include the job reference code REF1704E.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Sunday 6 September 2026.
• Working Rights: Employer Visa sponsorship will be provided if required.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact [email protected].

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.