Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

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: Rainbow and Women in Science networks,  Parenting support, our Waipapa Marae and our flagship Tuākana Māori and Pacific support programme.

Our mission and values place a strong emphasis on both our student body and our scholarly community, and we work with both community and enterprise to advance the well-being of the peoples of Auckland and New Zealand, with a clear commitment to pursuing sustainability.

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 Plant Molecular Science to build research capacities and support our postgraduate and undergraduate programmes in plant molecular science and related disciplines.

You require a strong academic background, and will conduct research in Plant Molecular Science. This could include, but is not limited to, research into improved sustainability of plant growth and food production, with specialisations such as plant biotic or abiotic interactions, plant developmental biology, plant nutrition or plant metabolism. Your focus may be on understanding fundamental plant biology, or on crop improvement via biotechnology.  The expected candidate will be an experimentalist who brings expertise in plant molecular biology and genetics and/or genomics, synthetic  biology, physiology and biochemistry. For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

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. You will be embedded within the SBS research group, Cellular Molecular Physiological Biology as a member of the plant molecular science discipline, and work to collegially and collaboratively enhance research outputs, teaching quality, and the reputations of the School and University.

The successful applicant will also develop and lead teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in biological sciences, which is informed by best practice, current educational research, and framed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments in accordance with the University’s strategic plan. The successful applicant may be required to contribute to collaborative teaching delivery at international partner institutions for a period of approximately one month at a time. 

This is a Fulltime, Permanent Appointment (40 Hours Per Week)

Remuneration: L4 – SL8; $95,441 – $138,508

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 several 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 17 July 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).

This is a Full time, Permanent Role.  Start date ideally will be by 28 February 2023; this date is open to negotiation with the hiring manager. Please contact Professor Joanna Putterill, [email protected] if you would like to have a confidential conversation about the role. Please note that we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email. 

Overseas Applicants

In response to COVID-19 the New Zealand Government imposed travel restrictions but have recently announced a five-step plan for a phased border re-opening. This phased re-opening will take some time and this may alter the nature of the standard interview process for offshore candidates, particularly at the on-site interview stage. To see how this might affect your application and for more information and updates on the border restrictions and phased re-opening, please 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