Director e-Research

Aitomic Jobs; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Auckland, New Zealand, seeks a Director e-Research to lead the strategic direction of e-Research at Waipapa Taumata Rau. The role shapes infrastructure, services and capabilities that enable world-class research across disciplines and will influence investment decisions to sustain research excellence.

The position is full-time, permanent, on-site in Auckland, starting 2026-08-16, reporting to Digital Services leadership and collaborating with academic and professional staff to

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership in complex research/tech environments.
• Proven ability to develop strategy, transformation initiatives and investment roadmaps.
• Strong knowledge of digital infrastructure, AI-enabled research and data services.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction of e-Research at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland and help position the University at the forefront of digital research enablement.
• Shape the future of research infrastructure, services and capabilities that support world-class research across all disciplines.
• Strengthen e-Research capability to meet rapidly changing needs of researchers.
• Drive capabilities across research AI, advanced computing, research data services and digital research platforms, while shaping strategic priorities and investment decisions.
• Collaborate with academic leaders, researchers and professional staff to unlock new opportunities for collaboration and research impact.
• Contribute to the University's broader digital strategy and leadership team priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy

Stakeholder mgmt

Digital infrastructure

AI in research

Job description

Short Summary

Director e-Research with University of Auckland. Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity Lead the strategic direction of e-Research at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland and help position the University at the forefront of digital research enablement. As Director e-Research, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of research infrastructure, services and capabilities that support world-class research…

Key Details

• Position / opportunity: Director e-Research
• Organization: University of Auckland
• Country / coverage: New Zealand
• Location: Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
• Work arrangement: On-site
• Opportunity type: Jobs
• Sector: Education
• Compensation: Not specified
• Duration: Not specified
• Start date: 2026-08-16
• Application deadline: Not specified

Description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity Lead the strategic direction of e-Research at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland and help position the University at the forefront of digital research enablement. As Director e-Research, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of research infrastructure, services and capabilities that support world-class research across all disciplines. This is an exciting time to join the University as we continue to strengthen and evolve our e-Research capability to meet the rapidly changing needs of researchers. You will help drive the next phase of research enablement, advancing capabilities across research AI, advanced computing, research data services and digital research platforms, while shaping strategic priorities and investment decisions that will support research excellence for years to come. Working in partnership with academic leaders, researchers and professional staff, you will strengthen the University's position within the national and international e-Research ecosystem and help unlock new opportunities for collaboration, innovation and research impact. As a senior member of the Digital Services leadership team, you will also contribute to the University's broader digital strategy and organisational priorities. For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description . Please note, this is a full-time (37.5hours/ week), permanent position based in Auckland, New Zealand. He kōrero mōu | About you You are a strategic and collaborative leader who understands how technology and digital capability can accelerate research excellence. You bring people together, build trusted relationships and thrive in complex environments where innovation, influence and partnership are key. To be successful in this role, you will bring: Significant leadership experience within a complex research, technology, innovation or digital environment, including leading multidisciplinary teams and organisational capability development. Experience developing and delivering strategy, transformation initiatives and investment roadmaps that deliver sustainable outcomes. Strong understanding of digital infrastructure, advanced computing, research technologies, AI-enabled research, research data services or related domains. Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders, work effectively within governance environments and build partnerships across academic, technical and executive communities. Commercial and financial acumen, combined with a passion for advancing research excellence through innovation, collaboration and impactful service delivery. Experience within the tertiary sector would be advantageous; however, we welcome applications from leaders across research organisations, government, science and innovation environments, digital infrastructure providers and related sectors. Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team Digital Services provides the technology, platforms and digital capabilities that enable the University to teach, learn, research and operate effectively. The team delivers secure, reliable and innovative services that support staff and students across the University. The e-Research function enables world-class research through specialist expertise in advanced computing, research data management, digital research infrastructure and emerging research technologies. Working across disciplines and faculties, the team helps researchers leverage technology to achieve greater research impact and discovery. Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university. We employ more than 5,400 academic and professional staff to support over 41,000 students, making us one of NZ’s largest employers. 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…)

Responsibilities

• Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity Lead the strategic direction of e-Research at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland and help position the University at the forefront of digital research enablement.
• As Director e-Research, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of research infrastructure, services and capabilities that support world-class research across all disciplines.
• This is an exciting time to join the University as we continue to strengthen and evolve our e-Research capability to meet the rapidly changing needs of researchers.
• You will help drive the next phase of research enablement, advancing capabilities across research AI, advanced computing, research data services and digital research platforms, while shaping strategic priorities and investment decisions that will support…
• Working in partnership with academic leaders, researchers and professional staff, you will strengthen the University's position within the national and international e-Research ecosystem and help unlock new opportunities for collaboration, innovation and…
• As a senior member of the Digital Services leadership team, you will also contribute to the University's broader digital strategy and organisational priorities.

Requirements / Eligibility

• You are a strategic and collaborative leader who understands how technology and digital capability can accelerate research excellence.
• You bring people together, build trusted relationships and thrive in complex environments where innovation, influence and partnership are key.
• To be successful in this role, you will bring: Significant leadership experience within a complex research, technology, innovation or digital environment, including leading multidisciplinary teams and organisational capability development.
• Experience developing and delivering strategy, transformation initiatives and investment roadmaps that deliver sustainable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of digital infrastructure, advanced computing, research technologies, AI-enabled research, research data services or related domains.