Senior Lecturer in Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA)

Te Kāhui Pā Harakeke | Child Well-being Research Institute
Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Fixed-term position until December 2026

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

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
We invite applications for a Senior Lecturer to join our team in the Child Wellbeing Research Institute (CWRI). This exciting opportunity supports national educational impact through the implementation of the Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA), an innovative, structured literacy programme supporting children's early literacy development across Aotearoa New Zealand.

You will play a pivotal role in leading and delivering research-led professional development to teachers, literacy specialists, and educational leaders across the country. The role combines high-quality teaching, postgraduate supervision, curriculum innovation, and applied research. You will contribute to the Institute's strategic goals, actively engaging with stakeholders and partners to advance evidence-based approaches to structured literacy and language learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Working collaboratively within a supportive interdisciplinary team, you will also contribute to the ongoing development of micro-credentials and the evaluation of teaching and learning practices within BSLA, ensuring they remain responsive and impactful in real-world classroom settings.

Mōu | Who You Are
We are seeking an academic leader with demonstrated expertise in Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading, and who is passionate about equitable and evidence-based educational outcomes for Tamariki.

You will bring:

• A completed PhD in Education, Child Psychology, Speech Language Therapy, or a related discipline (NZQA Level 10)
• Expertise in structured literacy, teacher linguistic knowledge, and the science of reading
• Strong understanding of language and literacy learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia)
• Proven ability to lead professional learning for educators using online and face-to-face formats
• A developing research portfolio with a focus on literacy implementation, educational leadership, or related fields
• A commitment to inclusive education, cultural responsiveness, and collaborative engagement with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership in the implementation of structured literacy programmes
• Experience working with or researching literacy interventions such as the Better Start Literacy Approach
• Strong teaching and postgraduate supervision experience, with proven success in supporting diverse learners
• A growing national/international reputation in the field of structured literacy or language learning difficulties
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and inclusive, mana-enhancing educational practice

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
You will be working closely with a dynamic, interdisciplinary group of researchers as part of the CWRI team. The institute is where 'nurturing research excellence to support children's holistic well-being' takes place. You will be working closely with a dynamic, interdisciplinary group of researchers, teachers, speech-language therapists and other professionals as part of the Child Well-being Research Institute team. You will located at Manawa, a state-of-the-art health and education research hub in Christchurch's central city.

For more information about our team, please visit us at Child Well-being Research Institute.

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.

We offer a range of fantastic benefits including flexible work practices, study opportunities and generous superannuation and leave provisions. 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/

This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff and Academic Support Staff Collective Agreement and the following salary scale applies: Senior Lecturer $117,241 - $132,971 p.a.

The closing date for this position is: 16 July 2025 (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:

• a cover letter which includes a 2-3-page statement outlining your research interests and goals and teaching philosophy (combined)
• a Resume which includes a list of relevant research publications (combined).

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: Laurie McLay - [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.