Jacobs joined the staff of Sydney University in 1938 as associate lecturer, appointed by Challis Professor of History,
Stephen Henry Roberts, for four years. In 1943–44 she was employed by United States Army's Historical Section in Australia, where she researched medical services in the South-West Pacific. When
General MacArthur moved from Australia, Jacobs returned to Sydney University where she received a tenured lectureship in 1945. After a period on sabbatical in London during 1946–47, she returned to Sydney, becoming senior lecturer in 1949 and associate professor in 1967. Her retirement in 1980 was celebrated with a festschrift presented by South-East Asian historians and she was awarded the title emeritus Professor. Jacobs was a member of the Council of the
Royal Australian Historical Society in 1954–55 and again in 1986–87. She was made an
Officer of the Order of Australia in the
1988 Queen's Birthday Honours for " service to education, particularly in the field of Indian history". == References ==