Deputy Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza

Strategic operations leadership role with a global WHO influenza reference centre

Lead influenza surveillance within the world-leading Parkville Precinct

Full-time ongoing position based in Melbourne with excellent benefits

The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), through the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, is seeking an outstanding scientific and operational leader to join the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference & Research on Influenza as Deputy Director.

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to global influenza surveillance, vaccine strain selection, and pandemic preparedness, with impact across Australia and internationally.

The WHO Collaborating Centre is part of the World Health Organization’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), working alongside leading centres across Atlanta, Beijing, London and Tokyo.

The Centre plays a critical role in collecting and analysing influenza viruses, informing seasonal vaccine recommendations, and supporting the detection and characterisation of emerging influenza viruses and pandemic response. Its work spans surveillance, diagnostics, research, training and education, with a strong focus on strengthening preparedness across the Asia-Pacific region.

As Deputy Director, you will support the Director in setting strategic direction and overseeing operations, while leading a highly skilled scientific team and strengthening the Centre’s national and international impact.

Lead and develop a high-performing scientific team.

Support the Centre to maintain its WHO designation and meet relevant regulatory and Commonwealth requirements.

Strengthen national and international capability in influenza and respiratory virus surveillance, diagnosis and research.

Build strong partnerships across Australian and international health, research and scientific networks.

Provide expert technical and policy advice to health authorities, including influenza vaccine formulation.

Support high-quality research, evidence-based practice and scientific innovation.

Represent and promote the Centre nationally and internationally.

Ensure strong operational, financial, risk, accreditation and safety performance.

You will be an accomplished scientific leader with the credibility, strategic capability and operational leadership to work across research, public health, laboratory and international environments.

You will bring:

A PhD, MB BS or equivalent qualification.

Strong scientific, operational and people leadership experience.

Demonstrated experience managing PC2/BSL3 and PC3/BSL3 facilities and relevant accreditation requirements.

A strong research record, including successful grant acquisition and publications.

Excellent strategic planning, decision-making and implementation capability.

A commitment to The Melbourne Way – People First, Lead with Kindness and Excellence Together.

Experience in influenza and respiratory virus surveillance, genomic surveillance, antigenic characterisation or epidemiology, and complex regulatory and accreditation environments will be highly regarded.

Join an internationally connected organisation at the forefront of influenza research and public health, working alongside the WHO, Australian and Victorian health authorities, University of Melbourne, Australian Institute for Infectious Disease and Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.

This is an opportunity to help shape Australia’s and the region’s preparedness for future influenza threats and contribute to work with national and global public health impact.