Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Engineering Geology

Te Kura Aronukurangi | School of Earth and Environment

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand 

• Full-time 37.5 hours per week (2.0 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 Pūkenga / Pūkenga Matua? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | Who We Are

Applications are invited for two positions of Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Engineering Geology in the School of Earth and Environment. The School has a diverse staff covering a range of expertise which includes delivery of an undergraduate Geology major and postgraduate programmes in Geology, Engineering Geology, Water Science and Management, and Disaster Risk and Resilience amongst other areas. We also house the largest and most diverse group of geomorphologists in a Southern Hemisphere university.

Aotearoa New Zealand’s location astride an active plate boundary makes it an ideal place to conduct research and teaching in Engineering Geology and its effects on the landscape. The Engineering Geology programme at the School has a long history and is recognised as eminent in producing postgraduates for the civil geotechnical, mining geotechnical and geohazard professions in New Zealand and Australia.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

We seek two geoscientists with experience and expertise in Engineering Geology interested in engaging with Australasian geology and landscapes from both research and teaching perspectives. The appointees will be an expert in either soil or rock mechanics with experience in understanding geological and hydrogeological controls on soil and rock mass behaviour in natural and engineered slopes, surface and underground developments, and under climate change conditions. Applicants will be familiar with applying the concept of engineering geological models and use of modern field and data assessment methodologies to help solve engineering and geohazard problems.  We are particularly interested in candidates who can apply computational modelling and/or large data approaches to Engineering Geology. We are likely to employ one candidate in the field of rock mechanics and one in the broad area of soil mechanics.

Mōu | Who You Are

Applicants must have a PhD, with postdoctoral research or equivalent professional experience in Engineering Geology or a closely related field preferred.

We are looking to re-establish our postgraduate programme in Engineering Geology. These positions represent an unique opportunity to blend the legacy of our past teaching and research with contemporary approaches when developing the revised programme. The appointees will be primarily expected to develop and deliver classroom and field teaching at postgraduate level, but there will also be an opportunity to teach into undergraduate Geology. They will be supervising postgraduate research students at both Master’s and PhD levels. They should have an outstanding research track record or the potential to develop one.

The ability to collaborate with staff in the School of Earth and Environment, Civil and Environmental Engineering (especially geotechnical engineering), and Australasia’s Engineering Geology industry/community will be an advantage as well as developing national and international linkages. Commitment to teaching excellence, to applied and industry focused research, to developing and leading research programmes, and to seeking external funding are an expected part of the position.

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.

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/

Te Kura Aronukurangi | School of Earth and Environment has a strong national and international profile and has an excellent teaching, research and field station infrastructure. The Engineering Geology group is closely aligned with the Geology programme in SEE and has strong linkages with research institutes such as QuakeCoRE and the Geospatial Research Institute, and groups working in the sub-disciplines of disaster risk and resilience, geomorphology, geospatial data science, and environmental science amongst others. The School also hosts the University Centre for Atmospheric Research, the Waterways Centre for Freshwater Research, and Gateway Antarctica. For more information about our School and team, please see our website. Engineering Geology has a long and proud tradition at UC. 

This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff and Academic Support Staff Collective Agreement and the following salary scale applies: Lecturer 2.01 $92,334 - Senior Lecturer 5.03 $146,869 

The closing date for this position is: 23 June 2025 (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 and should include the following:

• A cover letter which includes a 2–3-page statement outlining your research interests and goals and teaching philosophy (combined)
• A Resume which includes a list of relevant research publications (combined). 

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: Prof Andy Nicol andy.nicol@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. 

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