Shape globally relevant medical education and the future medical workforce in Malaysia
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The Head of School, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences (JCSMHS) develops a shared vision for the future directions, goals, and priorities of the School, positioning the School’s education and research activities to have a strong impact within Malaysia, ASEAN and internationally.
Reporting to the President of Monash University Malaysia, the Head of School engages with Monash initiatives and collaborates closely with the Ministry of Health, teaching hospitals, and relevant national and international organisations to ensure excellence in healthcare education, patient care, and research collaboration.
JEFFREY CHEAH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES
The Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences (JCSMHS) was established in 2005 with a vision to become a leading medical school in Asia. The school engages with and serves the broader community, playing an integral role in reshaping medical education and addressing global public health challenges.
In addition to its flagship MD program, JCSMHS offers a diverse portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs in Human Nutrition, Psychology, Medical Science and Biomedical Science, Professional Counselling, with opportunity for new offerings to fill local workforce capability gaps and emerging priorities. All JCSMHS programs adhere to the rigorous academic quality standards set by Monash University Australia, ensuring a comprehensive and research-driven educational experience.
Research is a foundational pillar at JCSMHS, with the school’s strengths spanning various disciplines such as non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, microbiome and bioresources, nutrition and nutraceuticals, and clinical research and trials. In response to evolving global health challenges, the school has expanded its research focus to include migrant and indigenous issues, digital health, and aged care. One of its most prominent research initiatives is the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), a health and demographic surveillance system based in Segamat, Johor. SEACO facilitates multidisciplinary research across clinical, biomedical, social, economic, educational, and environmental domains, contributing to a broader understanding of public health trends in the region.
The School is located at the Monash University Malaysia main campus in Bandar Sunway, Malaysia, about 20 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur while the Clinical School Johor Bahru (CSJB) is located in the southern Malaysian city of Johor Bahru. All Years Three to Five MBBS students are based at the CSJB which is situated at the southern-most point of the Malaysian Peninsula, just across the causeway from Singapore.
Looking ahead, JCSMHS is poised to consolidate its research and educational strengths in the domains of public health and global health. By doing so, the school aims to nurture a new generation of health professionals equipped to address the pressing public health challenges of today and tomorrow.
ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT
Monash University is a modern, global, research-intensive university, delivering education and research excellence in Australia and across the Indo-Pacific. The University is making a positive impact on today’s global challenges – whether by mitigating climate change, easing geopolitical insecurity or fostering healthy communities. Monash University is Australia’s largest university and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight, a group of Australia’s eight leading research universities. We have been consistently ranked among the world’s top universities, at 42nd globally in the QS World University Rankings and 54th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2024, reflecting a strong commitment to academic and research excellence.
Monash University is a global university with four campuses in Australia and a campus in Malaysia and Indonesia. In India, Monash Research Academy is a postgraduate research and PhD training partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, whilst Monash-Suzhou is a partnership between Monash University and Southeast University focused on world-class research and training in China. The Monash University Prato Centre meanwhile provides a European base for international research and education. Additionally, Monash has extensive international partnerships and study abroad programs with more than 100+ partner universities around the world.
Established in 1998, Monash University Malaysia is Monash’s third-largest campus and one of Malaysia’s most respected higher education institutions. More than 9,700 students representing approximately 77 nationalities are currently enrolled at Monash Malaysia, and they enjoy a quality study experience supported by committed staff members. Monash University Malaysia places a strong emphasis on student experience and strives to produce graduates who can lead and contribute to their local and regional communities. Monash University Malaysia graduates can be found in positions of importance all over the world. Since welcoming the first cohort of 417 students, Monash University Malaysia has graduated more than 27,500 students, including 800 PhDs.
Monash University Malaysia takes pride in educational excellence, offering degrees in arts and social sciences, business, engineering, information technology, medicine, psychology and health sciences, pharmacy, and science across seven schools. New courses in emerging areas, including artificial intelligence, data science, digital business and pharmaceutical science, expand the range of internationally-recognised degrees for a changing world. The University invests in constantly upgrading its facilities to incorporate cutting-edge teaching and learning technology to enhance the experience of staff and students.
In line with Monash University’s strategic plan, Impact 2030, research at Monash University Malaysia focuses on issues of national and global significance.
At Monash Malaysia, research strives to formulate and implement solutions that could mitigate the effects of climate change, promote geopolitical security in the ASEAN region and improve health and wellbeing to enable communities to thrive. Monash University Malaysia research projects and researchers are making long-term and sustainable impact across health, economics, policy, technology, the environment and society at large. Monash University Malaysia also offers a broad range of world-class infrastructure and services to support the needs of the research community and industry.
Monash University Malaysia campus is located in Greater Kuala Lumpur, one of the region’s industrial hotspots. The University sits in the heart of the rapidly developing economic corridor linking Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and beyond. Monash University Malaysia education and research are oriented towards deep engagement with this dynamic socio-economic and industrial landscape.
Monash University Malaysia is committed to delivering quality education and research to address the global challenges of our time, and it has ambitious plans to reach its goals. Monash University Malaysia invites you to join and make a positive difference for the betterment of communities worldwide.
For more about Monash Malaysia, visit www.monash.edu.my
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The right candidate brings personal standing for a professorial appointment in medicine or in a relevant health discipline, commensurate with a world-leading research-intensive university. In addition, the right candidate will have high-level skills in collaboration to foster a high performing and collegial School culture and build internal capacity in teaching and research that tap into regional opportunities within the region, the global Monash campus network, and the Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Essential experience includes strategic planning and resource management, and demonstrated capabilities in communication and stakeholder engagement across a scaled, distributed and complex multinational environment. Some experience in engagement in Southeast Asia through education and research in medicine and health would be an advantage to this appointment, as well as a shared ambition to contribute to economic and social development of Southeast Asia through bringing the best of health and medical education to fill capability gaps.
TO LEARN MORE, AND TO APPLY
The University has engaged global academic search firm De Sailly Search to handle the recruitment process. To make confidential enquiries about the opportunity and to obtain the position description, candidates are to contact Dr Rosalind De Sailly at HeadJCSMHS@desailly.com.au
Applications are to be sent via email to the address above, and must include:
- a cover letter indicating why you are interested in the position and an introduction to your vision as the next Head of JCSMHS;
- a criteria statement of no more than four pages, systematically addressing the selection criteria listed in the position description;
- a full academic CV;
- names and contact details of five referees. Nominated referees are to include at least two who have been at a peer level or above at your organisation within the past two years, and at least one past supervisor within the past two years.
Referees are not contacted without prior consultation with applicants.
Further information for prospective candidates
Living in Greater Kuala Lumpur and working at Monash University Malaysia
The virtual campus tour of Monash University Malaysia provides an introduction to the campus neighbourhood and the educational and other facilities on campus.
Monash University Malaysia is in Sunway City in the state of Selangor, about 20 kilometres south west of the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur and only minutes away from the city of Petaling. The town has gained a reputation as Selangor’s higher education hub.
Singapore is only 28 minutes away by plane and four hours by car, Thailand just one hour by plane and eight hours by car, and Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal, an easy 45-minute drive.
More about the campus location in Sunway City is available on the Monash University website here.
Details about the staff benefits package at Monash University Malaysia is available here.
Kuala Lumpur, commonly known as “KL”, is a modern, multicultural city that values its traditions. The rich living heritage of Malaysia’s European, Chinese, Malay and Indian populations and influences contributes to its famous street food.
Expatriates rate Kuala Lumpur in the world’s top ten cities for its local friendliness, affordable quality housing, quality of life, healthcare, culture and ease of settling in — helped, no doubt, by the fact that English is widely spoken and known as the city’s second language. InterNations, the largest global community for people who live and work abroad, found in its survey that international living in Malaysia valued its quality of life, citing environment and climate, safety and security, and finding friends as some of the country’s top-rating benefits and that working abroad in Malaysia ranked highly for its career prospects, salary, work life balance, personal finance, and for work culture and satisfaction (source: Expat Insider 2022, and 2023).
Malaysia is central member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and has close cultural and other ties to neighbouring ASEAN nations, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, Philippines and Vietnam.
Living in KL puts all these countries within easy reach, with European cities just a few hours away. People in Malaysia love the leisure and travel options, from exploring ancient rainforests and many of the world’s top beaches, to cultural and art tourism.
