Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology

New Zealand Government; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 94,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Five weeks annual leave

Parental leave

Flexible working

Job summary

The University of Canterbury invites applications for a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology. The role is a continuing, full-time position commencing by July 2027, with research, teaching and service responsibilities across cognitive psychology.

You will develop your own research programme, supervise postgraduate students and contribute to undergraduate teaching, including PSYC208 Cognition and related courses. A commitment to open science and equity is essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in psychology or closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead an innovative research programme in cognitive psychology.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity/diversity principles.
• Experience teaching at the undergraduate level and potential to teach on campus and online.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead your own programme of research in cognitive psychology.
• Publish in high-quality international journals and seek external funding.
• Supervise and support postgraduate research students.
• Coordinate and contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in cognitive psychology.
• Contribute to School, University and wider community initiatives.

Skills

Cognitive psychology

Research leadership

Teaching

Education

PhD in psychology

Tools

Statistical analysis

Open science practices

Job description

Te Kura Mahi ā-Hirikapo | School of Psychology, Speech and HearingTe Kaupeka Pūtaiao | Faculty of ScienceTe Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of CanterburyLocated in Christchurch, New ZealandFull-time: 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)Continuing (permanent) position, commencing by the start of Semester 2 (July) 2027.Āu Mahi | What You Will DoWe are seeking a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology (equivalent to a tenured Assistant Professor in the US system) for a continuing, full-time position in our School. We welcome applicants from across the breadth of cognitive psychology. This role offers the opportunity to establish or further develop your own research programme, with a balance of research, teaching and service that supports sustained research activity.In this role, you will:Develop and lead your own programme of research relevant to cognitive psychology, including publishing in high-quality international journals and seeking external research funding.Supervise and support postgraduate research students.Coordinate and contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in cognitive psychology.Contribute to initiatives within the School, University and wider community.Teaching responsibilities will include coordinating PSYC208 Cognition and a postgraduate course in cognition, as well as developing and teaching modules within our introductory courses.Mōu | Who You AreThe essential requirements for you to be successful in this role are:A PhD in psychology or a closely related discipline.Demonstrated ability or clear potential to develop and lead an innovative research programme relevant to cognitive psychology, including publications in high-quality international journals.An understanding of, or willingness to learn about, bicultural and multicultural issues in Aotearoa New Zealand society, including a commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi | the Treaty of Waitangi and a willingness to engage professionally with equity and diversity.Demonstrated potential and a willingness to attract external research funding.Experience teaching at the undergraduate level and a willingness to teach both on campus and online.Clear potential to develop and deliver courses and curricula.Clear potential to supervise and support honours, master’s and PhD research students effectively.A commitment to robust open science research practices appropriate to your field.Evidence of methodological rigour and strong analytical skills relevant to psychological research.A willingness to contribute to academic administration, university activities and professional service.Desirable requirements:Evidence of an expanding research programme with an international profile, including collaborations, publications or engagement with international research networks.Experience in curriculum design and course development.Evidence of successful supervision and support of research students.Evidence of success in attracting external research funding.Expectations for research, teaching and service will be appropriate to your career stage and the level of appointment.Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work WithThe School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing offers a friendly, collegial environment with opportunities for research collaboration. We provide support with grant applications and access to the School's participant pool. Eligible staff can apply for sabbatical leave and for Erskine Grants to support overseas academic exchange. Staff can also apply for international conference travel funding.We are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi | the Treaty of Waitangi and to upholding the inherent values, cultural practices and traditions, including te reo Māori, tikanga and kawa, as guided by mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri. Further details about the School and our team are available on the School website.Ngā Painga o UC | Why UCTangata 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.Mea e tukua nei | What we offerThe University is committed to providing an excellent working environment, this includes:relocation supportfive weeks annual leave and five days university holidaysUC Parental Leave (up to 9 weeks paid) + 26 weeks Government paid parental leave and onsite childcare facilitywidely accessible sabbatical provisiongenerous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)University and Faculty scholarship support for post-graduate studentsa unique bequest funded endowment (Erskine Fund) that supports an extensive visiting fellowship programmeflexible working arrangementssupportive working environmentprofessional development and study opportunitiesliving in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealanda 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 cafes and eateries, and more.For more information on our Benefits, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/joinus/benefits/This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff and Support Staff Collective Agreement and the following salary scale applies: Lecturer $94,181 - $113,616; Senior Lecturer $119,586 - $ 149,806p.aThe closing date for this position is: 24 January 2027 (midnight NZ time)Please note, applications will be reviewed after the close date.Pēhea te tono mai | How You ApplyApplications for this position must be submitted online through our careers website and should include:A cover letter (2–3 pages) outlining your research interests and goals, teaching philosophy, and your thoughts on how you could contribute to the discipline. As bicultural competence and confidence are important parts of this position, we would like you to comment on your own experiences and/or plans for professional development.A CV detailing your academic qualifications, current and previous appointments, research outputs, teaching and supervision experience, service contributions, and the contact details of three referees.Please note, only 2 documents can be uploaded in the application process.For further information about the role, please contact the Chair of the selection committee: Dr Joseph Watts, email: [e-mail] or phone: [phone].Please note, the University of Canterbury will be closed from the 24 December 2026 - 4 January 2027. During this period, we will be unable to respond to queries regarding this role. We will get back to you as soon as possible upon our return.We do not accept applications by email, however, we are happy to answer any queries at [e-mail] overseas applicants, please visit Immigration New Zealand website, to review the latest health and visa requirements for visiting and working in New Zealand.Please note, this is an onsite position.