Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

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, our new 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 Te Ao Māori principles of Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga and Kaitiakitanga.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Te Kura Mātauranga Koiora | School of Biological Sciences (SBS) is seeking to appoint a permanent, full-time Professional Teaching Fellow (PTF) to support the School’s teaching practice and enhance curriculum development in terms of Māoritanga.

The Kaiwhakaako Mātauranga Koiora will work in partnership with other SBS academic staff to support teaching and learning practices that facilitate appropriate integration of indigenous knowledge, te reo, tikanga, mātauranga Māori, and kaupapa Māori into the curriculum.  To achieve this, the successful candidate will work collaboratively with academic staff to understand the opportunities and challenges for incorporating Te Ao Māori into the biological curriculum and will identify potential pathways for curriculum redevelopment and redesign that will support both Māori and non- Māori staff and students, and the wider community in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The PTF is also expected to mentor and support Māori students within the School in a tuākana/teina relationship, although our Tuākana programme provides the primary means for this type of support. Where appropriate, the appointee will contribute to staff professional development in terms of understanding of, and engagement, with Māori culture and values (including te reo, tikanga, mātauranga Māori, kaupapa Māori and kaitiakitanga).  

PTFs work in a collegial and collaborative teaching environment to ensure excellence in student learning experiences and outcomes, recognising the unique status and role of the University in Aotearoa New Zealand. A key priority is to deliver accessible, equitable, lifelong higher education opportunities. The focus is on student-centric learning that is research informed, transdisciplinary, relevant and with impact for the world.

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

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team

SBS is a large, 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 research/teaching fields, organised into three groupings; Ecological and Evolutionary Biology; Cellular, Molecular and Physiological Biology; Biomedical and Human Biology.

The team of Professional Teaching Fellows and Senior Tutors lead and develop teaching programmes through development of innovative teaching practices, course coordination, lecturing, and mentoring. This team takes a leadership role in the School in terms of pedagogy, scholarship of teaching and learning research and dissemination, learning design, curriculum development, the improvement of ako, and supporting student engagement and academic achievement.

SBS is home to the University of Auckland’s first and oldest Tuākana programme (est. 1991) which focuses on Māori and Pacific undergraduate student academic learning success. We have a Pūtaiao committee that ensures recognition of Māori as tangata whenua with distinct status under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As the School’s staff and students continue to develop their thinking in this space, our conversations will be deep and, at times, challenging. 

Our university is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and equitable study and work environment that enables talented people to reach their potential.  It supports equitable access, participation, engagement and success for all staff and students, including Māori as well as those from equity groups.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You will enjoy working collaboratively and be skilled in communicating in writing and verbally with staff and students. You will also be able to work independently, have strong resilience, attention to detail combined with sound judgment skills and a strong focus on achieving solutions. An in-depth understanding of tikanga Māori and proficiency in te reo Māori is required.

Our successful candidate will bring:

• Strong experience in teaching relevant to the tertiary sector, preferably in Biological Sciences
• A post-graduate qualification in biology or related field, although we will also consider applicants with a biology undergraduate qualification and a relevant postgraduate qualification such as in education.
• Well-developed understanding of principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi and their application in the work environment
• Understanding of tikanga Māori and confidence navigating Te Ao Māori
• Proficiency in te reo Māori is preferred
• Experience of curriculum design and/or pedagogies to integrate mātauranga, tikanga and te reo Māori into courses for diverse cohorts of students.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. 

• The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:
• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave

In addition, we also offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, 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

Inquiries may be made to Dr Julie McIntosh (Teaching and Learning Chair, SBS Education Committee) [email protected] or to Prof Jacqueline Beggs (SBS Pūtaiao Chair [email protected])

Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email.

Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of 31 January 2022 to be considered. Applicants must be eligible and able to start work in New Zealand in 2022. Please include your cover letter and your CV combined as one document highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above.

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 a travel ban and are currently only allowing New Zealand Residents, Citizens and visa holders meeting a strict exception policy to enter the country, all of whom must currently enter Government approved quarantine for seven days on arrival.  

It is uncertain when these border restrictions will change, and this may impact the degree to which an offshore candidate can engage in the interview process; or be available to commence in a new position. For more information and updates on the border restrictions visit the Immigration New Zealand website or the New Zealand Government’s official Covid-19 website.

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