(Senior) Lecturer - Data Science / AI Governance and Leadership

• Shape data science and AI governance education at a growing, strategically important campus.
• Join a research-intensive, internationally connected university committed to excellence and impact.
• Live and work in one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary environments.

Our Queenstown campus is a strategic investment in high-quality tertiary education and research in one of the South Island’s most dynamic regions. As the campus grows its academic profile, we are seeking outstanding academics to help shape its future.

The Role

We are seeking an outstanding academic to join us as Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Data Science/AI Governance and Leadership. This is a full-time, permanent position at the University of Otago’s Queenstown campus.

The successful candidate will contribute to teaching, research, and service at our emerging Queenstown campus. Teaching will largely be focused at postgraduate level, alongside building an active research programme. The area of specialisation will be in data science and AI governance, as well as related areas, and will involve significant curriculum development. There is genuine scope to play a leading role in developing the data science and AI offering at the campus and to engage with the region’s distinctive mix of industry, government, and community organisations.

This is an opportunity to join the University at a genuinely formative moment. The Queenstown campus is building its academic identity, and this role will contribute directly to that development by shaping how the field is taught, defining research priorities, and helping to establish the University’s presence in an area of growing national significance. We are looking for someone excited by the opportunity to help shape a new academic environment and build meaningful connections across disciplines, industry, and community.

Your Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• A completed PhD in data science, artificial intelligence, computer science, information systems, law, public policy, or a closely related discipline.
• An established or emerging research record in data science, statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or related fields, ideally with expertise in areas such as data governance, AI ethics and policy, algorithmic accountability, data privacy, or other societal, regulatory, or organisational dimensions of data and AI. This may include practical applications of these areas in the development of digital technologies.
• Demonstrated ability or clear potential to teach effectively at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• A commitment to rigour, ethics, and cultural safety in research and teaching, and to collegial and respectful engagement with students and colleagues.

For appointment at Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, or Professor level, candidates will have a well-established research and teaching record commensurate with that level, including an outstanding track record of research funding and postgraduate supervision.

Further Information

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), permanent position based at the University of Otago’s Queenstown campus.

Appointment ranges for this role are:

• Lecturer - $97,377 to $114,943
• Senior Lecturer - $120,494 to $137,444

Appointment level will be determined by the candidate’s academic achievements, skills, and experience. We welcome applications from outstanding candidates at either level.

Specific enquiries may be directed to Professor Richard Barker, Establishment Director of the University of Otago Queenstown/Lakes District Project.

Application / Tono

Candidates are requested to submit the following:

• A CV.
• A cover letter.
• 3-4 referee contact details, including telephone number and email address.

Applications will close on 19 July 2026.

Advert information