Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor in Design

Company Description

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland creates 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. 

Job Description

Mā te whiritahi, ka whakatutuki ai ngā pūmanawa ā tāngata

Together weaving the realisation of potential

The University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, is Aotearoa New Zealand’s pre-eminent higher education institution and a comprehensive, research-intensive, international university, as reflected in our global ranking – 65 in the 2025 QS World University Rankings and 12 in the world in the THE University Impact Rankings 2023.

In 2020 we launched the cross-disciplinary Design Programme within the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries. In 2025, the Design Programme has transitioned into a new faculty home in what is now the Faculty of Engineering and Design. The Design Programme encompasses teaching and supervision from undergraduate to PhD. We focus on pedagogies and approaches of critical importance to contemporary design education, practice and strategy to support our students in gaining conceptual and technical skills relevant to an ever-changing world.

Having successfully inaugurated a new proposition for design education in Aotearoa, we are now seeking an additional design academic / professional with teaching and research experience to further build and expand the breadth and depth of staff capabilities. We are looking for a passionate design expert motivated to create a space for students to explore and regenerate the world through purposeful design.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

The Design Programme is looking to appoint one full-time, permanent Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor (40 hrs per week, 1.0FTE) and as such involves the delivery of research, teaching and service/leadership.

We are looking for designers with a range of academic and professional expertise who use design collaboratively to bring positive social, technological and environmental change. Our approach to design education and research seeks to address the practical, social, political and ecological impacts of different design outcomes using both digital and material technologies. We seek applicants capable of contributing to a vibrant research, teaching and supervision environment, to support the curriculum development and teaching of courses that span: Communication Design, Digital Design (XR, 3D modelling, motion graphics, mocap), Product Design (UI, UX, IoT, web development), Service Design, Food Design, Design Innovation, and Participatory Design & Social Innovation.

Remuneration package (PTF): base salary $97,831 (Lecturer level 1) to $162,557 (Associate Professor) per annum, depending on level of experience (this will be prorated).

For more information, please refer to the Position Description.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You will have a Doctoral qualification in design or design-related field; tertiary teaching experience in design – you can structure and deliver course content and are comfortable teaching large and diverse student groups. You will have carried out and published research in your selected design field. You will have professionally-led design projects and have good links with industry and related professions. Your portfolio of work will demonstrate specialist design capabilities and transdisciplinary practice. You will have experience in one or more of the following fields: Communication Design, Digital Design (XR, 3D modelling, motion graphics, mocap), Product Design (UI, UX, IoT, web development), Service Design, Food Design, Design Innovation, and Participatory Design & Social Innovation.

We actively incorporate Te Ao Māori and Pacific Ways of Knowing into our curriculum to complement and realise our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our programme values. We encourage applicants with such expertise to include their experience and vision in their application.

Above all else, you will be passionate about innovative, collaborative and transdisciplinary design, with deep consideration for supporting students to develop their own set of skills to flourish in and regenerate the world.

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team

Our current team reflects the nature of our course with a vibrant mix of dedicated teachers and researchers supporting the programme’s vision, mission and values. At the centre of our work is context and community, which we express through a core value of Hapori Whānui – community at the centre. Our current staff having collaborative design skills across a range of disciplines and locations worldwide. Further expertise is added to the teaching staff through the appointment of industry and/or community experts.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory and analytic facilities.

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

To apply for this role please upload all the following documents.

• A brief cover letter explaining your interest in the position
• A statement addressing each the selection criteria which includes:
• Your teaching and student support philosophy (1-2 pages); AND
• Your research field and experience; AND
• A statement addressing your contributions to community, and your approaches to diversity and equity through teaching, and other relevant service (1-2 pages); AND
• A current curriculum vitae (CV), including degrees and qualifications, positions held (including details of the most recent and significant career appointments) and major achievements, research publication record, courses taught, students supervised, curriculum development activities, and, the names and contact details of at least three referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor/manager).
• Your teaching and student support philosophy (1-2 pages); AND
• Your research field and experience; AND
• A statement addressing your contributions to community, and your approaches to diversity and equity through teaching, and other relevant service (1-2 pages); AND

Please look to the Design Programme’s website (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/engineering/about-the-faculty/design-programme.html) for further information.

Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of 14 November 2025 NZDT to be considered.

Please contact the Head of the Design Programme, Associate Professor Mike Davis (m.davis@auckland.ac.nz) for recruitment-related enquiries. Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications by email.
 

Additional Information

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