Associate Professor in AI and Digital Technologies

Te Kura Whakawhanake Hautūanga me te Ngaioanga | School of Leadership and Professional Practice

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 

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!
He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Ahorangi Tuarua? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
Applications are invited for the continuing position of Associate Professor in AI and Digital Technologies in Education within the Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education. This strategically important role will support the establishment and delivery of the forthcoming Master of Artificial Intelligence in Education, alongside teaching contributions in initial teacher education (ITE) in the curriculum areas of Computer Science and Digital Technologies.

This appointment offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of AI-enabled education in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. You will play a key role in interdisciplinary teaching and research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and education, contributing across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes. The role may include offshore or transnational teaching, reflecting the University’s commitment to international engagement.

You will join a collegial, research-active Faculty with a strong profile in AI and digital technologies, digital pedagogies, AI literacy, and technology-enhanced learning, and with growing national and international partnerships across education, industry, and government.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering and leading high-quality teaching within the Master of AI in Education and contributing to ITE areas of Computer Science and Digital Technologies
• Contributing to curriculum and programme design in AI-enabled and digitally rich learning contexts
• Developing and sustaining a strong, externally funded research programme with national and international impact
• Supervising and mentoring postgraduate and doctoral students
• Providing academic leadership and service within the Faculty, University, and wider professional communities.

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the expectations of appointment at Associate Professor level, as well as from applicants who are currently at Senior Lecturer level and able to demonstrate a clear and credible case for appointment or imminent promotion to Associate Professor.

Mōu | Who You Are
You will be an established academic with a growing international profile in research and teaching at the intersection of AI, digital technologies, and education, or a closely related field.

You will hold a PhD in Education, Computer Science, Digital Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Learning Sciences, or a related discipline.

New Zealand teaching registration is desirable but not required, recognising that candidates may come from diverse disciplinary and professional backgrounds.

At Associate Professor level you will demonstrate:

• A well-established research programme, with a strong publication record and evidence of research impact
• Demonstrated success or clear trajectory in securing external research funding
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas (or related fields):
  • Artificial intelligence in education
  • AI literacy, ethics, and responsible AI
  • Digital technologies and computing education
  • Learning analytics, data-informed education, or educational technologies
  • Curriculum and assessment design for AI-enabled learning environments
• Excellence in teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including leadership in curriculum or programme development
• Successful supervision of Masters’ and/or PhD students, and experience mentoring early-career academics
• Evidence of academic leadership and the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines
• A willingness and ability to contribute to international and offshore teaching, where required

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
Tangata 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 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
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• 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.

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 2026 salary scale applies: Associate Professor $155,592 - $167,718. 

The closing date for this position is: Sunday, 12 April 2026 (midnight NZ time)

Please note, applications will be reviewed after the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted on our careers website (via the 'Apply' button above) and should include the following:

1. a 1-page cover letter, a 1-page research statement outlining your research interests and goals,
   and a 1-page teaching philosophy statement (combined)
2. a Resume which includes a list of relevant research publications (combined).

Please note, only 2 documents can be uploaded in the application process. 

We do not accept applications by email, however, we are happy to answer any queries at WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz 

For further information specifically about the role, please contact: Kathryn MacCallum, Head of School, kathryn.maccallum@canterbury.ac.nz 

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

Position description Associate Professor.pdf