Associate Professor - Professional Inquiry and Placements

Job Description:

Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch
Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Continuing (permanent) position
• Generous annual leave provisions and professional development opportunities

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!
He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi hei Ahorangi Tuarua? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i tēnei tūranga.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
Te Kaupeka Ako | The Faculty of Education is seeking to appoint a senior Education academic with advanced expertise in the professional inquiry and placement aspects of Initial Teacher Education (ITE). This is an opportunity to shape high-quality teacher preparation and make a lasting contribution to the development of future teachers across Aotearoa New Zealand.

This full-time role includes devoted FTE to leading and managing professional inquiry courses and practicum placements. Working collaboratively with the Associate Dean Academic, ITE Programme Co-ordinators, and the Faculty Administration Services Team, you will provide academic leadership, strengthen partnerships across the education sector, and support an exceptional student experience throughout professional placements.

Mōu | Who You Are
The successful applicant will have an earned doctorate in Education and demonstrated expertise in teaching, research, and leadership at the level of Associate Professor. They will also be able to demonstrate:

• an understanding of the significance of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi within Aotearoa New Zealand’s education system
• knowledge of teacher education policy and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand
• knowledge of the Aotearoa New Zealand education system, including the contribution of schools, kura, and early childhood services
• successful leadership of research in initial teacher education
• expertise in the teaching of professional inquiry/practice courses
• expertise in the supervision of ITE students on professional placements
• successful leadership of teams that combine academic and professional staff
• a strong record of high-quality research outputs, postgraduate supervision, academic leadership, and collegial service, with the ability to mentor colleagues and build effective partnerships

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and welcome candidates with expertise in professional inquiry, practicum placement, initial teacher education, and education research.

If you are passionate about advancing initial teacher education and ready to make a significant contribution to research, teaching, and academic leadership, we encourage you to apply and join us in shaping the future of teacher education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
Tangata Tū, Tangata Ora -– Engaged, Empowered, Making a Difference.

We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender, or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good, and determined to make a difference in the world.

Mea e tukua nei | What we offer
The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment, this includes:

• relocation support
• 5 weeks’ annual leave and 5 days’ university holidays
• UC Parental Leave (up to 9 weeks paid) + 26 weeks Government paid parental leave and onsite childcare facility
• widely accessible sabbatical provision
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• University and Faculty scholarship support for post-graduate students
• a unique bequest funded endowment (Erskine Fund) that supports an extensive visiting fellowship programme
• flexible working arrangements
• supportive working environment
• professional development and study opportunities
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as the recreation centre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information on our Benefits, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/joinus/benefits/

This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff and Support Staff Collective Agreement and the following salary scale applies: Associate Professor $155,592 - $167,718.

The closing date for this position is: Sunday, 31 January 2027 (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 on our careers website and should include the following:

1. a 1-page cover letter, a 1-page research statement outlining your research interests and goals,
   and a 1-page teaching philosophy statement (combined)
2. a CV which includes a list of relevant research publications (combined).

Please note, only 2 documents can be uploaded in the application process.

We do not accept applications by email, however, we are happy to answer any queries at [email protected]

For further information specifically about the role, please contact: Professor Joce Nuttall, Executive Dean Education [email protected]

For overseas applicants, please visit Immigration New Zealand website, to review the latest health and visa requirements for visiting and working in New Zealand.

Please note, this is an onsite position.