Pūkenga/Pūkenga Matua | Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Terrestrial Vertebrate at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

, Wellington, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

21 Sep, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

23 Jun, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Terrestrial Vertebrate Biology, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Management, Herpetofauna Research, Pest Species Ecology, Biodiversity Monitoring, Restoration Ecology, University Teaching, Postgraduate Supervision, Research Grant Writing, Academic Publishing, Field-based Teaching, Stakeholder Collaboration, Tikanga Māori, Mātauranga Māori

Industry

Higher Education

Description

* Are you committed to excellence in research and teaching, with a passion for vertebrate biology, ecology, and conservation? * Have you got a PhD in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Evolutionary Biology, Wildlife Biology, or a related discipline? * Do you have a developing or established record of high-quality research publications, and a clear vision for your research programme? Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting for a Pūkenga/Pūkenga Matua | Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Terrestrial Vertebrate Biology to join Te Kura Mātauranga Koiora - School of Biological Sciences on a permanent, full-time basis. We are seeking an outstanding researcher and educator to join our Ecology and Biodiversity programme. The successful candidate will develop an externally funded research programme with strategic relevance to Aotearoa New Zealand. Areas of particular interest include terrestrial vertebrate biology, especially research relating to herpetofauna and/or introduced terrestrial mammals. Research with applications in conservation biology, wildlife management, pest species ecology, biodiversity monitoring, restoration ecology, or related fields is highly desirable. The appointee will contribute to our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes, including field-based courses, and will supervise postgraduate students. Familiarity with, or a willingness to develop capability in, tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori as they relate to ecological research and teaching is expected. The successful candidate will be expected to build productive collaborations with iwi, government agencies, conservation organisations, and other stakeholders, while contributing to the School’s research and teaching excellence. Key responsibilities: * Deliver excellent teaching and contribute to course coordination across undergraduate and postgraduate Ecology and Biodiversity programmes, including field-based teaching. * Establish and develop an externally funded research programme, including attracting research funding, supervising postgraduate students, and publishing high-quality research outputs. * Contribute to the strategic goals of Te Kura Mātauranga Koiora - School of Biological Sciences, including enhancing student success, strengthening research impact, and supporting an inclusive and diverse academic environment. * Build and maintain collaborative relationships with iwi, government agencies, NGOs, industry partners, and the wider ecological and conservation community. Ō pūmanawa - About you You will be motivated by a passion for vertebrate biology, ecology, and conservation and be committed to excellence in both research and teaching. You will be an enthusiastic and collegial academic who is excited by the opportunity to contribute to a thriving Ecology and Biodiversity programme while developing a research programme that addresses important ecological challenges facing Aotearoa New Zealand. Key requirements: * A PhD in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Evolutionary Biology, Wildlife Biology, or a related discipline. * A developing (Pūkenga - Lecturer) or established (Pūkenga Matua - Senior Lecturer) record of high-quality research publications and a clear research vision. * Expertise in terrestrial ecology, with strengths relevant to herpetofauna or introduced terrestrial mammals, and conservation biology, wildlife management, pest ecology, restoration ecology, or related fields. * Demonstrated ability and enthusiasm for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, including field-based teaching. * Evidence of, or potential for, attracting external-research funding and developing productive research collaborations. * A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a willingness to engage with tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori in research and teaching. There are many benefits [https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/about/working-here/employment-information] to working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, including being part of New Zealand’s top research university. Pūkenga - Lecturer Role Description - Click here to see further information, including salary. [https://vuw.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/VacancyRoleDescriptions/IQDjYhcCjjZZQ5yewDsof-ByAc7lAeKbQoAmSddkcD2tkdI?e=lmcIyE&download=1] Pūkenga Matua - Senior Lecturer Role Description - Click here to see further information, including salary. [https://vuw.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/VacancyRoleDescriptions/IQDXRajSTWsRS5eJCfhvIuMGAWiDfoqeL1RPlgwwVfrNnsM?e=QRuSEN&download=1] If the above links are unavailable, click ‘apply’ to view these on the University careers page. Close date for vacancy: 23 July 2026. Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role please get in touch with Janet Pitman (janet.pitman@vuw.ac.nz). How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter. We can only consider applicants who are citizens or residents of New Zealand or Australia or on a current working visa. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Applications from recruitment agencies are not accepted. Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington [https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/about] is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here. Explore the many benefits [https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/about/working-here/employment-information] of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction [https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/about/governance/strategic-plan] and learn more about our research expertise [https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/research/strengths/faculty]. Ētahi kōrero hai āwhina i a koe - Why you should join our team Discover Te Kura Mātauranga Koiora - School of Biological Sciences [https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/sbs]! Immerse yourself in innovative programs in biomedical science, biotechnology, and conservation biology. Collaborate with award-winning researchers driving breakthroughs in climate change and coral reef conservation. Be part of a vibrant community pushing the boundaries of biological sciences and making impactful discoveries!

Responsibilities

The role involves delivering undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in Ecology and Biodiversity, including field-based courses. The appointee will also establish an externally funded research programme focused on terrestrial vertebrate biology and build collaborations with iwi and government agencies.