• Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
• Section 2 - Background and Principles
• Section 3 - Appointment Pathway and Classification
• Section 4 - Appointment Type and Renewal
• Section 5 - Statement of Duties and Performance Framework

Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

(1) This Guideline establishes a clear and consistent framework for the appointment, management, and review of Industry Professors at The University of Queensland (UQ).

(2) Industry Professor appointments are designed to enable UQ to engage highly distinguished industry leaders whose expertise, influence, and networks materially advance the University’s strategic objectives in industry engagement, translation, education enrichment, and research impact.

(3) Industry Professor appointments are:

1. Professional fixed-term HEW 10 level appointments, with responsibilities that typically align to an equivalent Level E standing, and must comply with applicable legislative requirements for fixed-term employment;
2. Subject to Annual Performance and Development processes, including meeting specific KPIs set by their Supervisor;
3. Not a pathway for continuing employment or subject to promotion pathways; and
4. Not subject to the terms of the Enterprise Agreement.

(4) This Guideline applies to all Industry Professor appointments across UQ.

Section 2 - Background and Principles

(5) Industry Professor appointments support UQ’s strategic commitment to:

1. Deep and sustained industry engagement;
2. Translation of research and education into practice;
3. Participation in external initiatives (e.g. government, industry consortia, major partnerships);
4. Business development and reputation building.

(6) These appointments recognise that eminence and impact in industry may be demonstrated through leadership, innovation, influence, and outcomes rather than traditional academic outputs such as publications or grant income.

(7) Accordingly, Industry Professors:

1. Need not hold a PhD nor academic career history, though such qualification/experience does not preclude eligibility;
2. Are appointed for specific, defined purposes; and
3. Are engaged to deliver targeted, high impact contributions rather than traditional academic engagement.

(8) Industry Professor appointments are exceptional and must be justified on appropriate and reasonable grounds. They are not intended for existing UQ staff, except in genuinely exceptional circumstances.

(9) Where a candidate does not meet the criteria for appointment as an Industry Professor, but a strategic need exists to engage the individual, the Provost may approve an alternative appointment title, Industry Associate Professor, by exception. The conditions in this Guideline also apply to these appointments.

(10) An Industry Professor is a senior fixed-term appointee who brings exceptional industry eminence. Industry Professors are not expected to meet traditional criteria for academic performance (and will not be appointed to a traditional academic role). An Industry Professor will typically demonstrate:

1. Exceptional standing and influence within their industry, profession, or sector;
2. Sustained record of impact, leadership, or innovation recognised externally;
3. Expertise in an area of strategic importance to UQ;
4. Capacity to translate industry knowledge into tangible benefit for UQ; and
5. Behaviour consistent with UQ’s values and standards.

(11) Suitability for appointment as an Industry Professor will be assessed using industry-relevant evidence rather than traditional academic metrics.

Section 3 - Appointment Pathway and Classification

(12) Industry Professors are ordinarily appointed via a nontraditional academic pathway aligned to HEW 10 appointment framework, reflecting:

1. Industry seniority and impact;
2. Scope and significance of the agreed contribution;
3. Remuneration practices better aligned to commercial market expectations.

(13) Appointments are typically made through a targeted appointment process. The proposal must include sufficient justification, an updated curriculum vitae and a confirmed Job Profile, together with written endorsement from the relevant senior leader at Management Level 3 and approval by the Provost.

(14) Before an appointment is offered, the candidate must disclose any current or proposed secondary employment, consultancies, directorships or other external engagements. The disclosure must be recorded through the required pre-employment process, and any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest must be appropriately managed in accordance with University requirements.

(15) Where the substantive duties of the role predominantly align with traditional academic functions of teaching, research and service, the position should be established and filled through the University’s standard academic appointment framework rather than as an Industry Professor appointment.

Section 4 - Appointment Type and Renewal

(16) All Industry Professor appointments will be offered on a fixed-term basis of up to five years;

(17) Any extension or reappointment would not ordinarily exceed a cumulative term of ten years;

(18) Industry Professor appointments will not be offered on a continuing basis.

(19) Fractional appointments may be considered where appropriate.

(20) At the conclusion of a fixed-term appointment, renewal may be considered where:

1. The original objectives remain valid; and
2. The incumbent has demonstrably delivered against the agreed outcomes.

Section 5 - Statement of Duties and Performance Framework

(21) Each appointment will align to the approved Job Profile that:

1. Defines the specific purpose of the role;
2. Identifies the primary non-traditional academic domains of contribution;
3. Specifies measurable outputs and success indicators.

(22) Achievements of the measurable outputs should form part of the Annual Performance and Development process. KPIs should be specific, measurable and impact focused.