Lecturer in Criminal Justice

Faculty of Law
Christchurch, New Zealand

• Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Continuing (permanent) position
• One role available (at Lecturer rank)

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!
He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Pūkenga? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

What You Will Do

We invite applications for an early-career academic appointment, at the rank of Lecturer, in Criminal Justice.

As a Lecturer, you will contribute to the delivery of core and elective courses in law and criminal justice, support curriculum development, and engage in research that aligns with the Faculty’s priorities. You will also be encouraged to develop your research profile and begin supervising student research projects.

In this role, you will be instrumental in fostering bicultural competence and confidence in relation to crime and criminal justice in Aotearoa New Zealand, and in deepening understanding of the experiences and perspectives of Māori and other ethnic communities within the criminal justice system. Strengthening connections with local, national, and international criminal justice stakeholders will be a key focus, as will ensuring the programme maintains global significance.

Collaboration with colleagues across the Faculty and wider University is expected, including contributions to interdisciplinary initiatives. You will be supported to pursue a robust and externally funded research agenda with high impact, while contributing to the University’s leadership in law and criminal justice scholarship. You will also establish and maintain active engagement with local communities, including hapū, iwi and Māori organisations.

Who You Are

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate the following:

• a Doctorate in Law, Criminal Justice, or a closely related discipline
• a developing or established research profile, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and scholarly impact
• experience or expertise in the justice sector and/or a background in legal practice (desirable)
• demonstrated understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within criminal justice or a commitment to developing this knowledge
• knowledge of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori, or a commitment to developing this knowledge
• a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, including the delivery of core and elective courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• experience or readiness to deliver high-quality online and distance education that supports diverse learners.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates currently working in the legal or criminal justice sector who hold a PhD and are seeking to transition into an academic career, bringing valuable practical insight and professional experience to their teaching and research.

For information about our Te Kaupeka Ture | Faculty of Law team, please visit us @ KaupekaTure | Faculty of Law 

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
• 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/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff and Academic Support Staff Collective Agreement and the following salary scale applies, Lecturer $94,181 - $113,616.

The closing date for this position is: Sunday, 30 August 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 and should include the following:

1. 1-page cover letter, a 1-page research statement outlining your research interests and goals,
   and a 1-page teaching philosophy statement (combined)
2. 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: Petra Butler, Executive Dea, Faculty of Law, petra.butler@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. 

Please note, this is an onsite position.