Associate Professor | Professor and Head of School, Physical and Chemical Sciences

Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand 

• Faculty of Science leadership opportunity
• Grow and lead a thriving community of scholars

Applications are invited for the role of Tumuaki Tari | Head of School, Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, a position that is part of the Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science Senior Leadership Team and reporting to the Amo Matua | Executive Dean.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
University of Canterbury's (UC) Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences hosts an exciting programme of teaching focussed on chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, physics and astronomy. Research programmes include those focussed on astroparticle and atmospheric physics, gravity and cosmology, medicinal chemistry, structural, physical and  synthetic chemistry and environmental science.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
As Head of School of Physical and Chemical Sciences you will be responsible for academic leadership, aligning the activities of the School with the strategic and operational objectives of the Faculty and University.  

You will achieve this by:

• providing academic leadership to foster academic growth and development of staff and students
• establishing and communicating clear vision and strategic direction that aligns with the Faculty and University strategic and operational plans
• proactively manage finances and resources, ensuring the Schools future economic viability
• progressing research profiles and leading a culture that fosters outcome-related research activities. 

Mōu | Who You Are
You will be a highly motivated strategic leader with an outstanding academic reputation in a relevant discipline area of physical or chemical sciences and strong bicultural and intercultural capability. You will also have:

• demonstrated experience in academic leadership including experience in curriculum and research development and management
• people leadership experience
• demonstrated ability to develop and implement a strategic vision and business plan for the School, which integrates with that of the Faculty and UC
• an ability to think critically and respond creatively and flexibly in a challenging and dynamic environment
• knowledge and successful experience in financial and resource management.

The successful candidate will be appointed to the Head of School role for a term of up to five years and will concurrently hold an academic position of Associate Professor or Professor. Following the end of the Head of School term, you will transition into a continuing academic position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. Academic rank will be assessed at the appointment stage.

Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, the ethos of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury is based around whanaungatanga - we value people and their differences, manaakitanga - we extend care and empower others, and tiakitanga - we will enhance and nurture our resources.

UC has an international reputation for academic excellence in both teaching and research. Its undergraduate degrees and postgraduate programmes aim to foster intellectual independence, critical thinking, professional excellence and bicultural competence and confidence in every field. Committed to accessible higher education, service to 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.

This is an exciting opportunity to further develop your unique academic leadership skills in a dynamic environment.

What we offer
The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• relocation support
• widely accessible sabbatical provision
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• generous annual leave provisions
• 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/joinus/benefits/

This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff and Academic Support Staff Collective Agreement salary scale. An additional payment, for the duration as Head of School, will also be applied to recognise these responsibilities.

APPLICATIONS must include:

• a cover letter summarising your leadership experience and alignment with the role
• a full academic curriculum vitae
• details of three referees

The closing date for this position is: Monday, 23 September 2024 (midnight NZ time)

Please note, applications will be reviewed after the close date.

We do not accept applications by email, however, we are happy to answer any queries at [email protected]

For further information specifically about the role, please email: [email protected]  with your query.

For overseas applicants, please visit Immigration New Zealand website, to review the latest health and visa requirements for visiting and working in New Zealand.