Lecturer in Art History & Museums and Cultural Heritage

The University of Auckland

• Arts & Humanities ranked #47 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
• Ranked as the top Art History discipline in Aotearoa New Zealand and 7th in Oceania (EduRank, 2026)
• Shape teaching and research in Art History, curatorial practice, and museums and cultural heritage

The University of Auckland creates globally transformative impacts through its distinctive strengths in world-leading research, scholarship, teaching and collaborative partnerships, inspired by our unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific.

Situated within Te Pūtahi Mātauranga, the Faculty of Arts and Education, Te Puna Aronui | The School of Humanities is the largest concentrated unit of Humanities scholars in Aotearoa New Zealand. The School brings together a wide range of disciplines, including Art History & Museums and Cultural Heritage, and supports a vibrant and diverse academic community.

Our Art History programme is the largest and most diverse in New Zealand, with a substantial postgraduate research cohort.

The opportunity

We are seeking to appoint a Lecturer in Art History & Museums and Cultural Heritage, in a permanent full-time position commencing prior to Semester 1, 2027 (or by negotiation).

The successful candidate will contribute to teaching, research, and service within the School of Humanities, supporting the continued development of the Art History & Museums and Cultural Heritage programmes.

Teaching responsibilities will include contributing to a first-year course covering 15th to mid-20th-century art, primarily in Europe and America; an advanced undergraduate course on art curation and collections management; the development of an advanced undergraduate course aligned with the candidate’s research expertise; and a postgraduate course in Art Writing and Curatorial Practice.

The role includes supervision and advising of postgraduate students and contributing to the programme’s strong postgraduate research culture.

You will be expected to maintain an active research programme, with a developing publication record and a clear trajectory for high-quality outputs and external research funding, and to contribute to the academic life of the School.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) permanent position (subject to continuation).
The workload allocation is 40% teaching, 40% research, and 20% service.

The remuneration range for this role is $99,788 - $119,204 NZD per annum, depending on experience and achievements in line with our Academic Standards policy.

For more detailed information on the role accountabilities and requirements, please review the Position Description.

About you

Our ideal candidate will be an engaged and collegial academic with expertise in Art History, and particular strength in curatorial and art writing practices. You will bring strong communication skills and the ability to contribute to a productive and diverse academic environment, with a clear research and teaching trajectory.

You will hold a PhD in Art History and bring:

• A record of effective undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in a tertiary environment
• A developing or established research profile, with a promising publication record and clear research direction
• Experience in or readiness for postgraduate supervision and advising
• Curatorial experience relevant to art history, museums, and cultural heritage contexts
• The ability to design and deliver engaging undergraduate and postgraduate courses
• A commitment to supporting postgraduate students and contributing to a strong research culture

We particularly welcome applicants with expertise in curatorial and art writing practices, including strengths in Historical Aotearoa New Zealand and/or eighteenth- and nineteenth-century global perspectives.

What we offer

As New Zealand’s largest, highest ranked and most comprehensive research intensive university, we are committed to supporting your career with:

• Excellent research, teaching, and campus facilities
• Generous Research & Study Leave
• Full range of research and leadership development programmes and mentoring support

 For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Auckland is a vibrant cosmopolitan and growing city with a population of 1.8m (greater Auckland area). The University is located in the metropolitan centre and commercial heart of Aotearoa New Zealand. We have an abundance of natural features, including four stunning harbours, accessible coastline, native bush and moderate temperatures, which help us retain our reputation as one of the best cities in the world to live.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date of 18 May 2026 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above.

Applicants should also provide the names and contact details of three academic referees.

Please reach out to Associate Professor Lisa Bailey, Deputy Head of the School of Humanities, at lk.bailey@auckland.ac.nz for further information.

Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications by email. 

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz