Lecturer/Senior Lecturer – Biotechnology – University of Auckland – Auckland City, Auckland

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

Waipapa Taumata Rau/The University of Auckland, is New Zealand’s leading university, with a turnover of $1.3bn, including research revenue of over $300m generated across eight diverse faculties and two research institutes. We employ more than 5400 academic and professional staff to support over 45,000 students, making us one of NZ’s largest employers.

This is a pivotal time to join the University as we implement Taumata Teitei, the University’s Strategic Plan. Taumata Teitei identifies our purpose as “recognising globally transformative impacts through our distinctive strengths in world-leading research, scholarship, teaching and collaborative partnerships inspired by our unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific”, consistent with our commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi.

Ko te whare Pūtaiao | The Faculty of Science

Ko te whare Pūtaiao/The Faculty of Science at the University of Auckland is the leading science faculty in New Zealand and one of the largest in Australasia. It undertakes world-class research across the physical, biological and computational sciences. More than 8,000 students’ study in our 10 schools and departments, learning from internationally renowned lecturers. Our staff and students can connect with our flagship Tuākana, Women in Science, Parenting and Rainbow networks, and our Waipapa Marae.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Te Kura Mātauranga Kiora/The School of Biological Sciences (SBS) is seeking to appoint a permanent, full-time Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology to build research capacity and support our expanding postgraduate and undergraduate programmes in biotechnology and related disciplines. (The academic rank of Lecturer/Senior Lecturer is equivalent to that of Assistant/Associate Professor at US institutions).

The successful applicant will be expected to establish an innovative research programme with opportunities for students and early career researchers, that will be competitive for research funding opportunities. The successful applicant will also develop and lead teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels informed by best practices and current educational research, framed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, consistent with the University’s strategic plan. (The successful applicant may be required to contribute to collaborative teaching delivery at international partner institutions).

Your specialist expertise could span diverse areas including but not limited to molecular genetics, genomics, drug discovery, structural biology, synthetic biology, immunology, or biochemistry, across any domain of life.

This is a Fulltime, Permanent Role. Start date ideally will be 01 July 2022; this date is open to negotiation with the hiring manager.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team

Te Kura Mātauranga Kiora/The School of Biological Sciences

Te Kura Mātauranga Kiora/The School of Biological Sciences is the largest School within the Faculty of Science. We are a lively, interdisciplinary School with around 100 academic staff and 4000 students across 38 undergraduate and 34 postgraduate courses. We have international research leaders across a range of fields, organised into three groupings; Ecological and Evolutionary Biology; Cellular, Molecular and Physiological Biology; Biomedical and Human Biology. We are served by well-developed research facilities including controlled environment plant growth facilities, several scientific reserves and access to shared equipment centres for genomics and mass spectroscopy, amongst others. The School prides itself on its strong links with research, commercial, and community organisations nationally and internationally. SBS is also home to the University of Auckland’s first and oldest Tuākana programme (est. 1991) which focuses on Māori and Pacific student academic learning success. We are in the heart of Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, a harbour-side city with rich cultural diversity, beaches, islands, iconic volcanoes, and lush forests. Auckland is consistently ranked in the top tier in global quality of life surveys.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You will hold a PhD in a relevant discipline and have appropriate experience in research and teaching to be appointed as a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland (see Position Description for details). Quite apart from your academic credentials, as a member of the academic staff you will also contribute to the development of the School’s vision, values, and mission, as it navigates its way through the exciting, but oftentimes challenging, waters of 21st century higher education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will therefore be collaborative, collegial, and engaged, with a commitment to the role of the New Zealand university as a “critic and conscience of society”.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through flexible employment practices and a culture that encourages and supports staff to reach their full potential. It supports equitable access, participation, engagement and success for all staff and students, including Māori as well as those from equity groups. We offer a competitive salary, five weeks’ annual leave, a company superannuation scheme, discounted car parking, childcare and a number of other discounts on internal and external services.

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of 25 April 2022 to be considered. In your application, please include the following:

• Your CV;
• A cover letter that includes an explanation of how your experience and skills align with the expectations listed in the Position Description;
• A statement of your present and future research interests, and your approach to teaching;
• The names of three referees (referees will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for this role).

Please contact Prof Allen Rodrigo (Head of School), a.rodrigo@auckland.ac.nz or Associate Professor Kerry Loomes (discipline lead), k.loomes@auckland.ac.nz if you would like to have a confidential conversation about the role. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email.

Covid-19 Vaccination

The University of Auckland is committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of our staff and students. All students, staff and visitors need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or medically exempt, in order to come onto our campuses or to take part in face-to-face University-managed activities. Therefore, we are only able to consider applicants who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a New Zealand Ministry of Health issued medical exemption and evidence of this will be requested as part of your employment. You can read more about the University’s vaccination policy here.

Overseas Applicants

In accordance with our commitment to equitable recruitment, the University welcomes applications from all suitably qualified and experienced candidates. In response to COVID-19 the New Zealand Government has imposed strict border restrictions but has now announced a 5-step plan for a phased reopening of Aotearoa New Zealand’s borders and welcomes the return of all nationalities. Step 1, from 28 February 2022, New Zealand Citizens, Residents, eligible travellers coming from Australia and other nationalities meeting specific criteria and exemptions will be able to travel to New Zealand and self-isolate on arrival.

Step 2, from 14 March 2022, the border opens to New Zealand citizens, residents and other eligible travellers coming from anywhere in the world.

Please visit Immigration New Zealand or the Government’s official COVID-19 website for further information.

This phased reconnection will take time, meaning the degree to which an offshore candidate can engage in the interview process; or be available to commence in a new position. The University will negotiate an appropriate start date with the successful candidate.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQITakatāpui+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other equity issues go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz