Lecturer - Fine Arts (Painting)

University of Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 94,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Five weeks annual leave

Parental Leave support

Sabbatical provision

Superannuation contributions

Job summary

University of Canterbury is seeking a Lecturer in Painting within the Ilam School of Fine Arts. The role involves delivering high-quality teaching to painting students and supervising Honours, Masters, and practice-based PhD candidates.

You will also produce research outputs and assist with school administration. This appointment offers an opportunity to shape research directions and education within the school, while contributing to an inclusive, culturally aware academic environment and to the

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field preferred; NZQA Level 9 or above acceptable.
• Master of Fine Arts would be considered.
• A dynamic understanding of contemporary art practice and its painting history.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality teaching to painting students.
• Supervise Honours, Masters and practice-based PhD students.
• Produce high-calibre research outputs and contribute to administration.
• Help keep academic programmes current and responsive to needs.

Education

PhD preferred or NZQA Level 9+ (Master of Fine Arts preferred)

Master of Fine Arts or equivalent

Tools

Research portfolio

Job description

• 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

UC's Ilam School of Fine Arts is looking for an experienced academic/artist to be a Lecturer in Painting. In this position, you will deliver high-quality teaching to our painting students, supervise Honours, Masters, and practice-based PhD students, while producing high calibre research outputs and assisting with administrative duties within the school. You will also help ensure that academic programmes remain current, impactful, and responsive to emerging needs in the field.

This appointment represents a significant opportunity for an emerging or more established academic to shape the direction of research and education within the school and the wider field.

Mōu | Who You Are

To be successful in this position, you will be active in research/building your outputs/portfolio, scholarship and creative work. You will also have the following:

• A PhD in a relevant field is preferred, however applicants with a Master's Degree or equivalent (NZQA Level 9 or above), preferably a Master of Fine Arts would be considered
• A dynamic understanding of contemporary art practice, with a deep knowledge of contemporary painting practice and its historical antecedents
• An appreciation of the cultural and artistic contexts of Aotearoa/New Zealand and how these relate to a global arts network/discourse
• A commitment to inclusive teaching practices and reflective professional development
• Active commitment to upholding the values, tikanga (protocols and processes), kawa (rules) of cultural practice and traditions as guided by mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and valuing te reo Māori
• An ability to discuss, practice and operate across a diverse set of art practices/disciplines.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

of fine arts and the wider liberal arts. The ability to specialise in one of five disciplines; design, moving image, painting, photography and sculpture, is unique within New Zealand. Staff are all practicing artists, designers, filmmakers and curators with established reputations. Our recent graduates join a long list of highly regarded alumni who continue to make significant artistic, cultural and social differences in New Zealand and the world beyond

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
• five weeks annual leave and five 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: Lecturer $94,181 p.a.(2.01) - $106,616p.a. (2.04).

The closing date for this position is: 8 November 2026 (midnight NZ time)

Please note, applications may be reviewed before the close date.

Please note, this is an onsite position.