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.

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  

An opportunity has emerged for someone who is passionate about enabling the entrepreneurial potential of students and staff at the University of Auckland 

We need someone who is a passionate, skilled and experienced prototyper and technologist.  You will be responsible for managing the day to day operation of the Maker Space and Te Ahi Hangarau Technology Hub to deliver a suite of workshops, trainings and programmes that support student and staff activities. You will also provide guidance and expertise in technology and prototyping to students, academic staff, wider university stakeholders, and the maker community who are developing prototypes for ventures, creative projects and other innovations and inventions.………. 

A past role holder says 

My time at the CIE has been a journey of unlocking endless possibilities, both within myself through professional development and empowering the minds of students. The diversity of work I did and startups I helped was exhilarating! I absolutely loved all the creative freedom I was given to improve processes, create content, and develop my expertise on several topics. The team has unparalleled passion and creativity which was a pleasure to be a part of! 

This is a Permanent, Fulltime (37.5 hours per week) opportunity. 

There is more detailed information in the position description.  

The salary range is $70,000 to $80,000 and will be dependent on experience.

For some videos from the CIE space  please view here:

Short CIE intro video

Drone tour of Unleash Space

Drone tour of Te Ahi Hangarau Technology Hub

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team 

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is a multi-award-winning entrepreneurship centre hosted in the Business School that excels in developing innovative and entrepreneurial mindsets and capabilities in students and staff from all faculties across Waipapa Taumata Rau. We help the University achieve its strategic goal of becoming a “global powerhouse of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship” by nurturing talent and helping transform ideas into impactful ventures led by students, researchers, and staff. CIE delivers a suite of experiential trainings, workshops and programmes.  

For the past two years the University has been named as one of the top 100 maker schools in the world. 

We encourage those interested in applying to first learn more about the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship by exploring our website. 

The CIE team is passionate about making an impact and creating a better Aotearoa by unleashing entrepreneurial potential across Waipapa Taumata Rau. CIE is fast-paced, fun, supportive and collaborative environment.  

He kōrero mōu | About you 

You should possess prior experience in makerspaces or similar settings, along with a background in creating educational content and delivering programs. It's important that you exhibit a strong passion for technology, encompassing VR, AR, IoT, and 5G, and you should actively keep abreast of new and emerging technology trends. Your ability to communicate this knowledge and expertise effectively to a non-technical audience, making it engaging, enjoyable, and inspiring, is crucial. 

You should have hands-on experience in rapid prototyping and the capability to mentor others in this regard. Familiarity with lean canvas and design thinking methodologies would be advantageous. In addition, a focus on adhering to Health and Safety Policies and Containment policies and procedures, especially within a University or similar environment, is fundamental to the responsibilities associated with this role. 

Nga Pūkenga Motuhake | Important Skills 

This role necessitates a blend of technical and professional competencies. Your technical expertise should encompass various areas, including digital fabrication methods such as additive manufacturing, vector cutting, and CNC routing, as well as proficiency in physical fabrication techniques like woodworking, metalworking, and electronics. You should also excel in maintaining and configuring analog machinery, possess digital literacy in CAD software and programming languages, and have familiarity with Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) development platforms. Additionally, a strong grasp of safety protocols and standard operating procedures is crucial in this capacity. 

On the professional front, you should exhibit a genuine passion for making, innovation, and entrepreneurship, coupled with an ability to adapt to new technologies and processes. Effective communication and presentation skills are paramount, as is the capability to establish productive working relationships and accomplish tasks within a university setting. You should excel in teamwork, organizational goal achievement, conflict management, and proactive problem-solving. Your ability to manage multiple projects, provide constructive feedback, and adapt to evolving environments is vital. Moreover, you should be skilled at influencing diverse stakeholders, possess excellent computer literacy, and have a proven track record in communication and relationship-building, both in small and large group settings. 

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 

Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of 01 October 2023 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above.  

Please reach out to Sean Kelly via [email protected] for a confidential conversation. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email. 

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, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz

The University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone can thrive. For further information see Te Ara Tautika | the Equity Policy and visit www.equity.auckland.ac.nz