Lecturer - Fine Arts (Painting)

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand 

• Full-time 37.5 hours pw / Permanent position
• Generous annual leave provisions and professional development opportunities 

What You Will Do

UC's Ilam School of Fine Arts is looking for an experienced academic/artist to be a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Painting. In this position, you will deliver high-quality teaching to our painting students, supervise Honours, Masters, and practice-based PhD students, while producing high calibre research outputs and assisting with administrative duties within the school. You will also help ensure that academic programmes remain current, impactful, and responsive to emerging needs in the field. 

This appointment represents a significant opportunity for an emerging or more established academic to shape the direction of research and education within the school and the wider field. 

Who You Are

To be successful in this position, you will be active in research/building your outputs/portfolio, scholarship and creative work. You will also have the following:

• A PhD in a relevant field is preferred, however applicants with a Master's Degree or equivalent (NZQA Level 9 or above), preferably a Master of Fine Arts would be considered
• A dynamic understanding of contemporary art practice, with a deep knowledge of contemporary painting practice and its historical antecedents
• An appreciation of the cultural and artistic contexts of Aotearoa/New Zealand and how these relate to a global arts network/discourse
• 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
• An ability to discuss, practice and operate across a diverse set of art practices/disciplines. 

Who You Will Work With

of fine arts and the wider liberal arts. The ability to specialise in one of five disciplines; design, moving image, painting, photography and sculpture, is unique within New Zealand. Staff are all practicing artists, designers, filmmakers and curators with established reputations. Our recent graduates join a long list of highly regarded alumni who continue to make significant artistic, cultural and social differences in New Zealand and the world beyond. 

Why UC

Tangata Tū, Tangata Ora -– Engaged, Empowered, Making a Difference.  

For information on our Benefits, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/joinus/benefits/

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

The closing date for this position is: 8 November 2026 (midnight NZ time)

Please note, applications may be reviewed before the close date. 

How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted online through our careers website and should include: 

1. A 'cover letter' including a 2–3-page statement outlining your research history, interests and goals, teaching philosophy, and your thoughts on how the School of Fine Arts can continue to grow and develop over the coming years.
2. A 'resume' which includes a list of relevant research-led and research-based practice. 

We do not accept applications by email, however, we are happy to answer any queries at WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz 

For overseas applicants, please visit Immigration New Zealand website to review eligibility requirements for working in New Zealand. 

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