Senior Lecturer Child Wellbeing Research Institute

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 2027

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

The University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha invites applications for an academic position at the level of Senior Lecturer within Te Kāhui Pā Harakeke | Child Well-being Research Institute (CWRI). This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant programme of work, where research and teaching intersect to improve outcomes for children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In this role, you will lead and contribute to high-quality research in structured literacy, language learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia), and teacher knowledge. A key focus will be delivering tailored Structured Literacy Professional Learning and Development (PLD) to literacy specialists across the motu, supporting the implementation of evidence-based practice in diverse educational contexts. You will also contribute to teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervise research students, and foster collaboration within the CWRI and with national partners.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of structured literacy in Aotearoa while supporting teacher capability, educational equity, and child wellbeing. As a senior academic, you will demonstrate leadership in research, teaching, and academic service, and actively contribute to UC's values and bicultural commitments.

Mōu | Who You Are

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced academic with a completed PhD in Speech Language Therapy, Education, Child Psychology or a closely related field.

You will bring

Expertise in structured literacy, language acquisition, or literacy learning difficulties, such as dyslexia.

Experience designing and delivering structured literacy PLD to educators, both online and in-person.

A strong record of high-quality research outputs and external research funding.

Demonstrated experience supervising postgraduate research students to successful completion.

Proven leadership in collaborative research or academic programme delivery.

A national and/or international reputation in your discipline.

* An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

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 $119,586 - $149,806 p.a.

The closing date for applications will be 20 November 2026 (Midnight NZ time).

Please note, applications will be reviewed and interviews will take place for suitable applicants.

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 overseas applicants, please visit Immigration New Zealand website, to review the latest health and visa requirements for visiting and working in New Zealand.