Associate Professor / Professor in Health

Faculty of Health
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 

What You Will Do

University of Canterbury invites applications for a continuing appointment at the level of Associate Professor or Professor within Te Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health. This senior academic role offers an exceptional opportunity to provide strategic research leadership and academic stewardship within a collegial, high-performing, and future-focused Faculty.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in advancing the faculty’s research profile, driving a coherent and ambitious research agenda aligned with national and international health priorities. They will demonstrate an established and sustained record of research excellence, evidenced by high-quality publications, significant and continuing success in attracting external research income, and the capacity to build and lead productive, multidisciplinary research teams. A strong track record of translating research into impact will be essential.

In addition to research leadership, you will contribute to course development and teaching in line with your research responsibilities. You will play an active academic leadership role through meaningful engagement and leadership in Faculty and University committees. The role also involves fostering a collegial and inclusive culture by mentoring colleagues in teaching and research and contributing to service initiatives that strengthen the Faculty community. You will build and sustain productive relationships within the Faculty and across the University and develop national and international partnerships. More broadly, you will support the University’s strategic objectives by enhancing its reputation, strengthening industry engagement, and securing research income.

This appointment represents a significant opportunity for an accomplished academic leader to shape the direction of research and education within the Faculty of Health and to contribute meaningfully to institutional, national, and global health priorities.

Who You Are

We are seeking an established academic leader with a PhD in Health or a related field. This position would be particularly relevant for those with experience in population health (e.g., health policy, health management and leadership, epidemiology, biostatistics, health economics), digital health, or health services research.

You will bring:

• Strong evidence of expertise in your health discipline
• Evidence of leading innovative research programmes, with a sustained and current record of high-quality publications and external research income
• A demonstrated ability to lead a research team and mentor and lead academic colleagues
• Proven and sustained experience supervising postgraduate research students to completion
• An established national/international reputation in your discipline
• A strong track record of coordinating and leading undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Health
• Established organisational and industry networks related to your area of expertise
• 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 

Who You Will Work With

Faculty of Health offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and research activities that respond to the dynamic nature of the health and sport sectors and their workforce. We offer undergraduate programmes in Sport and Health as well as postgraduate programmes in Counselling, Social Work, Child and Family Psychology, Nursing, Health Leadership and various population health and clinical endorsements within the Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Health Sciences.

For more information on our Faculty please visit us here. 

Why UC

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.

Our values at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha include manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga and these uara (values) guide our decisions and behaviour. Our values provide a roadmap for how we do things, affirming our commitment to the oranga (health, safety and wellbeing) of our students through mana-enhancing pastoral care and support. Ngā Uara (our values) challenge and inspire us to be the best we can be. They make UC a great place to work and study.

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 here.

This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff and Support Staff Collective Agreement and the following salary scale applies: Associate Professor $155,592 - $167,718, Professor $178,257 - $224,115. 

The closing date for this position is: Sunday, 3 May 2026 (midnight NZ time)

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

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: Laurie McLay: laurie.mclay@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.