Anne Ruston
The National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life was created to ensure Australian design guides and standards remain world class in light of climate change, new engineered timbers and changes in building design. Source: Timberbiz
Its researchers have also been tasked with devising a world-leading predictive model to enable architects and building specifiers to more easily choose the right timber for the right task.
Through close industry and end-user collaboration the Centre aims to deliver research results that can be implemented with real impact within Australian forest and timber industries.
Launched a year ago by the Federal Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, the Centre is based at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC). Partners include the University of Queensland (UQ) and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).
The State and Federal Government will contribute funding along with the FWPA and universities of up to $13 million over 5-8 years (2017-2024).
The Centre has been operating to date under the leadership of Founding Fellow, Professor Phil Evans however the decision has been taken to accelerate its development by recruiting executive leadership ahead of schedule.
The role of the centre director will be to lead and manage its research activities to achieve international and national recognition. The director will initiate and maintain strategic and productive relationships with other universities and research centres, industry, and local, state and federal government bodies.
He or she will also establish a vision for the Centre; ensure its strategic orientation to the University and external environments; identify new markets, students and research opportunities; align people; model research excellence; and ensure quality improvement.
The role will also involve managing the staff, resources and operations of the Centre to develop and expand its research activities, and liaising with governance boards.
The position is full time, fixed-term (5 years).
For more information, including a comprehensive position description, visit: https://www.usc.edu.au/connect/work-at-usc
