Challis Chair of Jurisprudence

• Full-time continuing opportunity
• Prestigious Chair dedicated to Jurisprudence, Legal theory and the Philosophy of Law
• Offering a competitive Academic remuneration package including 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The University of Sydney is seeking an outstanding scholar to join the Sydney Law School as the Challis Chair of Jurisprudence. This flagship named Chair is one of the oldest at the University and was the fourth of its kind in the English-speaking world. As such, it offers the occupant a unique opportunity to shape the future of jurisprudence, legal theory, and the philosophy of law at one of the world's leading research-intensive universities. As Challis Chair, you will provide intellectual leadership that strengthens the School's global standing, advances an ambitious research agenda, and fosters excellence across teaching, research and engagement. Working collaboratively with colleagues, you will play a strategic role in the governance of the School while cultivating an inclusive and vibrant research culture that supports scholars at every career stage. The successful candidate will be recognised as a leading voice in jurisprudence, bringing the vision, momentum and international profile to further elevate the University's reputation for excellence in legal scholarship.

Your key responsibilities in the role will be to:

• provide internationally recognised academic leadership in jurisprudence, legal theory, law and philosophy, or the philosophy of law
• develop and deliver an ambitious, world-leading research program that enhances the University's global reputation
• publish high-quality research in leading international journals and academic presses
• attract competitive research funding and foster collaborative research initiatives across Australia and internationally
• provide intellectual stewardship for jurisprudence and legal theory within the school, supporting researchers across early, mid and senior career stages
• contribute strategically to the leadership, governance and future direction of the Julius Stone Institute of Institute and the School
• develop and maintain strong international scholarly networks that enhance the visibility and influence of the University's jurisprudence program
• deliver high-quality teaching and research supervision across undergraduate and postgraduate programs, inspiring the next generation of legal scholars
• contribute thoughtfully to contemporary debates about the role of jurisprudence in legal education, legal scholarship and professional practice
• engage with the broader legal, academic and public communities through scholarly leadership and public intellectual engagement
• mentor and support academic colleagues, fostering a collaborative, high-performing and inclusive academic environment.

About you (skills, capabilities and experience)

You will be an internationally recognised academic leader or an emergent leader on an exceptionally strong trajectory towards global leadership whose scholarship demonstrates originality, intellectual rigour and influence within jurisprudence, legal theory, law and philosophy, or the philosophy of law. You will combine academic excellence with the ambition to shape the field further and inform the future direction of one of Australia's leading law schools.

To be successful, you will demonstrate:

• a PhD in Law, Philosophy or a closely related discipline
• current appointment at Professor level (Level E) or Associate Professor level (Level D), or having attained an equivalent record of academic achievement and scholarly distinction justifying appointment at Professor level
• an established or an exceptionally promising emergent international reputation for research excellence in jurisprudence, legal theory, law and philosophy, or philosophy of law
• an outstanding publication record in internationally recognised journals and with globally respected academic publishers
• demonstrated success in securing competitive external research funding and leading high-impact research initiatives and/or collaborations
• the ability to provide strategic academic leadership and contribute to the governance and long-term development of a research-intensive law school
• experience mentoring and developing researchers across all career stages, fostering research excellence and academic capability
• a collaborative and intellectually generous approach to jurisprudence, with an openness to diverse theoretical perspectives
• demonstrated excellence in university teaching, curriculum development and higher degree research supervision
• outstanding communication, engagement and relationship-building skills, with the ability to cultivate influential scholarly partnerships nationally and internationally
• the capacity to contribute to public discourse and strengthen connections between jurisprudence, legal education and the legal profession.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Visa Sponsorship and relocation assistance will be provided if required.

Term and remuneration

This is a full-time continuing opportunity. An attractive remuneration package will be offered.

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.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by 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 LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

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

How to apply

Applications (including a CV and cover letter outlining how your skills, capabilities and experience meet the requirements for the role) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. Please refer to the candidate information brochure/position description for further details.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Sajad Bahram (Senior Talent Partner, Recruitment Operations, Human Resources) by email at sajad.bahram@sydney.edu.au

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

Applications Close

Sunday 04 October 2026 11:59 PM