Associate Professor - Professional Inquiry and Placements

University of Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 156,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

5 weeks’ annual leave

University holidays

Parental leave options

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Access to campus facilities and staff*

Endowment and visiting fellowship 프로그램

Job summary

The University of Canterbury invites applications for an Associate Professor in Professional Inquiry and Placements in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. This full-time, continuing role leads professional inquiry courses and practicum placements within the Faculty of Education, shaping teacher preparation and future educators across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Candidates will hold a doctoral degree in Education, show leadership in research and teaching, and mentor staff while building partnerships with schools,

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in Education.
• Demonstrated expertise in teaching, research, and leadership.
• Ability to mentor colleagues and build effective partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage professional inquiry courses and practicum placements.
• Provide academic leadership and oversight for ITE placements.
• Strengthen partnerships across the education sector and support student experience.

Skills

Leadership

Research leadership

Teaching

Education

Doctorate in Education

Job description

Associate Professor - Professional Inquiry and Placements

Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch
Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Continuing (permanent) position
• Generous annual leave provisions and professional development opportunities

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
Te Kaupeka Ako | The Faculty of Education is seeking to appoint a senior Education academic with advanced expertise in the professional inquiry and placement aspects of Initial Teacher Education (ITE). This is an opportunity to shape high-quality teacher preparation and make a lasting contribution to the development of future teachers across Aotearoa New Zealand.

This full-time role includes devoted FTE to leading and managing professional inquiry courses and practicum placements. Working collaboratively with the Associate Dean Academic, ITE Programme Co-ordinators, and the Faculty Administration Services Team, you will provide academic leadership, strengthen partnerships across the education sector, and support an exceptional student experience throughout professional placements.

Mōu | Who You Are
The successful applicant will have an earned doctorate in Education and demonstrated expertise in teaching, research, and leadership at the level of Associate Professor. They will also be able to demonstrate:

• an understanding of the significance of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi within Aotearoa New Zealand’s education system
• knowledge of teacher education policy and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand
• knowledge of the Aotearoa New Zealand education system, including the contribution of schools, kura, and early childhood services
• successful leadership of research in initial teacher education
• expertise in the teaching of professional inquiry/practice courses
• expertise in the supervision of ITE students on professional placements
• successful leadership of teams that combine academic and professional staff
• a strong record of high-quality research outputs, postgraduate supervision, academic leadership, and collegial service, with the ability to mentor colleagues and build effective partnerships

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and welcome candidates with expertise in professional inquiry, practicum placement, initial teacher education, and education research.

If you are passionate about advancing initial teacher education and ready to make a significant contribution to research, teaching, and academic leadership, we encourage you to apply and join us in shaping the future of teacher education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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.

Mea e tukua nei |What we offer
The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment, this includes:

• relocation support
• 5 weeks’ annual leave and 5 days’ university holidays
• UC Parental Leave (up to 9 weeks paid) + 26 weeks Government paid parental leave and onsite childcare facility
• widely accessible sabbatical provision
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• University and Faculty scholarship support for post-graduate students
• a unique bequest funded endowment ( Erskine Fund ) that supports an extensive visiting fellowship programme
• flexible working arrangements
• supportive working environment
• professional development and study opportunities
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as the recreation centre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff and Support Staff Collective Agreement and the following salary scale applies: Associate Professor $155,592 - $167,718.

The closing date for this position is: Sunday, 31 January 2027 (midnight NZ time) Please note, applications will be reviewed after the close date.

For further information specifically about the role, please contact: Professor Joce Nuttall, Executive Dean Education [e-mail]

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

Please note, this is an onsite position.