Lecturer in Geology

The University of Otago’s Department of Geology is searching for a Lecturer who can add breadth, depth and value to our teaching and research programmes. 

We are particularly interested in collaborative candidates with an interest in interdisciplinary Earth science approaches. The ideal candidate will have a research specialisation that will enable them to thrive and develop a strong research and teaching programme at the University of Otago and will be well placed to contribute to the university’s Vision 2040 and Pae Tata strategic plan to 2030. 

The successful candidate will contribute to our department’s excellent teaching and learning culture and to our diverse, international research profile. Responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to the research activities of the department, including publishing in high-quality peer-reviewed journals, obtaining external funding support, and supervising research students.
• Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students in the broad area of Earth sciences, including developing new course content, implementing new teaching innovations and best practice pedagogy, and participating in collaborative teaching activities in classroom, laboratory and field settings.
• Contributing to the effective and efficient administration of the department and its responsibilities within the university and wider community, including outreach initiatives in New Zealand schools. 

Skills and experience | Kā pūkeka me kā wheako 

The successful candidate should have:

• PhD (or equivalent) in Earth sciences (or adjacent field).
• Excellent research record relative to opportunity.
• Experience in or potential for collaborative, interdisciplinary and innovative research.
• Commitment to research-informed teaching approaches.
• Field and/or laboratory experience.
• Proven abilities in science communication at multiple levels (public, schools, media, government).
• Ability and willingness to develop a firm commitment to the university’s Māori Strategic Framework and Pacific Strategic Framework. 

Who we are | Ko wai mātou 

The Department of Geology, which dates back to the founding of our university in 1869, is located in the heart of the University of Otago’s Victorian campus. The staff in our collegial department cover a wide range of Earth Science research areas. Together, we teach into well-regarded broad-reaching undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. We pride ourselves on research-informed teaching with substantial field and laboratory components and an emphasis on encouraging independent research. We make the most of our location adjacent to the geological wonders of New Zealand’s South Island and the Southern Ocean, and close links to Antarctica. 

Our department is home to a wide range of geological facilities and is supported by an exceptional team of professional staff. Facilities include the Centre for Trace Element Analysis, the Otago Repository for Core Analysis, the Otago Paleomagnetic Research Facility, a Scanning Electron Microscope Facility, and a world-class paleontological preparation lab linked to our Geology Museum. We also offer resources for seismic fieldwork, field-based teaching and research, geochemical and rock laboratories, and one of New Zealand’s leading rock preparation and thin section centres. Our research also benefits from access to the university’s fleet of vessels, including the ocean-going RV Polaris II. 

Further details | Pūroko 

There is one full-time (1.0 FTE), permanent position available, located in Ōtepoti, Dunedin. 

The appointment range for this role is $97,377 to $114,943 per annum. 

We anticipate that the successful applicant will be able to start in July 2026; however, the appointment start date has some flexibility. 

Applications will close on Sunday, 12 October 2025.

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