Physics Teaching Laboratory Coordinator

Job Description:

Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Permanent position, 37.5 hours per week
• Generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!
He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Teaching Laboratory Coordinator? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
As our Physics Teaching Laboratory Coordinator, you'll play a key role in delivering an engaging, high-quality practical learning experience for our undergraduate Physics students. You'll take responsibility for the coordination and day-to-day operation of our 100-level Physics teaching laboratories, combining your scientific expertise with laboratory management, teaching support and the development of practical experiments.

You'll work alongside Course Coordinators to design, trial and refine experiments that bring lecture content to life. You'll also select, train and schedule demonstrators and teaching assistants, coordinate their workloads and guide them through laboratory experiments, equipment and expected results. You'll provide ongoing support and feedback, preparing them to troubleshoot problems and confidently assist students during laboratory sessions.

Behind the scenes, you'll manage laboratory timetabling and changeovers, resolve scheduling conflicts and ensure laboratory activities meet health and safety requirements. You'll also coordinate student assessments and results, and contribute to the School's outreach activities, from delivering NCEA Physics Radioactivity Workshops to participating in KidsFest and Science Summer Camp, helping to inspire the next generation of scientists.

Mōu | Who You Are

You're a hands-on problem-solver who's just as comfortable troubleshooting scientific equipment as you are guiding a demonstrator or student through their first laboratory session. You take pride in getting the details right and keep a cool head when a dozen things need sorting at once. You're organised, approachable and resourceful, and genuinely enjoy helping students develop the skills and confidence to think like scientists.

You'll also bring:

• An Honours degree in Physics or related subject and at least five years' relevant experience, including substantial experience in a technical environment, preferably within the tertiary education, research or scientific sector.
• Experience overseeing laboratory operations is desirable.
• Experience coordinating team workflows and training.
• Strong technical expertise, including developing, testing and troubleshooting scientific equipment.
• A sound understanding of laboratory health and safety requirements, including radiation safety.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with a collaborative approach and commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Experience in computer interfacing to scientific equipment would be an advantage.
• Previous experience coordinating or delivering laboratory sessions or tutorials would be an advantage but is not essential.

You'll also hold, or be willing and eligible to obtain, the relevant First Aid Certificate and ionising radiation use licence, with support from the School.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences is one of the largest Schools at the University of Canterbury, bringing together a diverse community of academic, technical and professional staff across disciplines including Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Our School offers a stimulating and collaborative environment, with excellent teaching and research facilities and a strong commitment to scientific discovery and teaching excellence. You'll be part of a supportive community where scientific expertise, innovation and collaboration are central to what we do.

You'll work closely with Physics Course Coordinators, academic and technical staff, and the demonstrators and teaching assistants who support our undergraduate laboratory courses. You'll also collaborate with colleagues across the School, contributing to outreach and engagement activities that connect our science with schools and the wider community.

As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to a School that is passionate about advancing scientific knowledge and inspiring curiosity in the next generation of scientists.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• professional development opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 10^th November 2026 (midnight, NZ time)
Please note, applications will be reviewed after the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to [email protected]

Position enquiries can be directed to the Head of School, Professor Roger Reeves ([email protected]) using the subject line ‘Physics Teaching Lab Coordinator’.

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position.